bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental health interventions for traumatized asylum seekers and refugees: What do we know about their efficacy?
Authors: Slobodin Ortal , de Jong Joop TVM 
Published: May 2014

Background: The prevalence of trauma-related problems among refugees and asylum seekers is extremely high due to adverse experiences associated with forced migration. Although the literature presents a considerable number of guidelines and theoretical frameworks for working with traumatized refugees and asylum seekers, the efficacy, feasibility and applicability of these interventions have little empirical evidence. Aims: The purpose of this article is to critically review the literature to provide a rationale for developing culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions for refugees and asylum seekers. Methods: A literature review integrating research findings on interventions designed especially for traumatized asylum seekers and refugees was conducted. Retained studies had to use some quantitative measurements of post-traumatic stress and to have pre- and post-measurements to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. Studies included in this review cover a wide variety of interventions, including trauma-focused interventions, group therapy, multidisciplinary interventions and pharmacological treatments. Results: The majority of studies with traumatized refugees and asylum seekers reported positive outcomes of the intervention in reducing trauma-related symptoms. There is evidence to support the suitability of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and narrative exposure therapy (NET) in certain populations of refugees. Other intervention studies are limited by methodological considerations, such as lack of randomization, absence of control group and small samples. Conclusions: This review has again highlighted the shortage of guiding frameworks available to investigators and clinicians who are interested in tailoring interventions to work with refugees and asylum seekers. Theoretical, ethical and methodological considerations for future research are discussed.
Patterns of non-suicidal self-injurious behaviours among college students in India
Authors: Kharsati Naphisabet , Bhola Poornima 
Published: May 2014

Background: Non-suicidal self-injurious behaviour (NSSI) is a growing concern among youth and rarely reaches the attention of mental health and medical services. Aims: The study explored the occurrence, methods, characteristics and reported reasons for NSSI among a sample of college students in India. Methods: A total of 470 participants from undergraduate and postgraduate colleges completed the Functional Assessment of Self Mutilation (FASM) questionnaire. Results: Results indicated that 31.2% of the participants reported NSSI in the past year, with the mean age of onset being 15.9 years. Moderate/severe forms of NSSI were reported by 19.8% of the sample. The most common method was self-hitting (15.2%) followed by cutting or carving skin (13.2%). A majority of self-injurers endorsed multiple methods of NSSI, and there were no significant gender differences in NSSI rates. The NSSI was performed both to regulate internal emotional states (automatic reinforcement) and to influence others in the environment (social reinforcement).The most commonly endorsed reasons for NSSI were ‘to feel relaxed’ and ‘to get control of the situation’, while the least frequently endorsed reasons were ‘to make others angry’ and ‘to avoid college, work, or other activities’. Conclusion: The findings underscore the need to increase the awareness and understanding of NSSIs and to plan targeted interventions among college youth.
Depictions of auditory verbal hallucinations in news media
Authors: Vilhauer Ruvanee P 
Published: May 2014

Background: The characterization of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), diverges from recent research literature, which demonstrates the occurrence of AVH in individuals who are psychologically healthy. This discrepancy raises the question of how the public perceives AVH. Public perceptions are important because they could potentially affect how individuals with AVH interpret these experiences and how people view voice hearers. Aims: Because media portrayals can provide a window into how phenomena are viewed by the public, an archival study of newspaper articles was carried out to examine depictions of AVH. Methods: A sample of 181 newspaper articles originating in the United States was analyzed using a content analysis approach. Results: The majority of articles examined contained no suggestion that AVH are possible in psychologically healthy individuals. Most articles suggested that AVH were a symptom of mental illness, and many suggested that AVH were associated with criminal behavior, violence and suicidality. Conclusion: The news media examined tended to present a misleading and largely pathologizing view of AVH. More research is needed to shed light on how, and to what extent, public perceptions may influence those who experience AVH.
Identification of the hikikomori syndrome of social withdrawal: Psychosocial features and treatment preferences in four countries
Authors: Teo Alan R , Fetters Michael D , Stufflebam Kyle , Tateno Masaru , Balhara Yatan , Choi Tae Young , Kanba Shigenobu , Mathews Carol A , Kato Takahiro A 
Published: May 2014

Background: Hikikomori, a form of social withdrawal first reported in Japan, may exist globally but cross-national studies of cases of hikikomori are lacking. Aims: To identify individuals with hikikomori in multiple countries and describe features of the condition. Method: Participants were recruited from sites in India, Japan, Korea and the United States. Hikikomori was defined as a 6-month or longer period of spending almost all time at home and avoiding social situations and social relationships, associated with significant distress/impairment. Additional measures included the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and modified Cornell Treatment Preferences Index. Results: A total of 36 participants with hikikomori were identified, with cases detected in all four countries. These individuals had high levels of loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale M = 55.4, SD = 10.5), limited social networks (LSNS-6 M = 9.7, SD = 5.5) and moderate functional impairment (SDS M = 16.5, SD = 7.9). Of them 28 (78%) desired treatment for their social withdrawal, with a significantly higher preference for psychotherapy over pharmacotherapy, in-person over telepsychiatry treatment and mental health specialists over primary care providers. Across countries, participants with hikikomori had similar generally treatment preferences and psychosocial features. Conclusion: Hikikomori exists cross-nationally and can be assessed with a standardized assessment tool. Individuals with hikikomori have substantial psychosocial impairment and disability, and some may desire treatment.
The Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education on Glucose Management and Empowerment in Ethnic Armenians With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Naccashian Zarmine 
Published: May 2014

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of diabetes self-management education on glycemic control and perceptions of empowerment in Armenian American immigrants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Methods A quasi-experimental pre and post design was used to investigate the impact of using education on self-management as measured by A1C levels and empowerment scores. Nine hours of diabetes self-management education classes were offered in the Armenian language to 75 clients at 2 adult health day care centers over 6 weeks. The participants were mostly first-generation Armenian immigrants aged 65 years and older. A1C results, the 8-item Diabetes Empowerment Scale (DES), and the 15-item Armenian Ethnic Orientation Questionnaire–Revised (AEOQ-R) were used to determine the impact of education on self-care management. Results After institutional review board approval was obtained, 75 participants completed the study. A paired t test indicated that the postintervention mean A1C level was significantly lower than the preintervention mean A1C level. The postintervention mean DES score was significantly greater than the preintervention mean DES score. No mediating effects of age, gender, acculturation, and number of years with the disease were identified for either A1C or DES score. Conclusions The findings demonstrate the efficacy of the diabetes self-management education classes in improving diabetes self-care management skills.
Litigation claims relating to venous thromboembolism in the NHS
Authors: White Victoria , Nath Alexander , Stansby Gerard 
Published: May 2014

Aim Litigation costs for clinical negligence in the management of venous thromboembolism have escalated in the last five years. The National Health Service Litigation Authority estimates these claims have cost in excess of £112 million. Our aim is to identify the areas of practice where these claims are most likely to arise to help improve patient outcome. Methods The National Health Service Litigation Authority provided de-identified data on individual medical negligence claims against the NHS since 2007. We subcategorised the data into (a) the nature of the venous thromboembolism event, (b) the area of specialist practice and (c) the damages incurred. Inter-group differences were evaluated using ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U Test. Results Failure to prevent and to diagnose pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis occurs across the spectrum of clinical specialties. In the study period 189 claims were made. The majority of claims were in surgical specialties and the financial burden was significantly greater than in the medical specialities (£3,257,394 vs. £1,532,996). The amounts paid out by specialty was not significantly different but had significant variance ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions The National Institute of Clinical Excellence provides comprehensive guidelines on venous thromboembolism risk assessment. Poor compliance has contributed to morbidity and mortality while the cost has continued to escalate. A multimodal approach to education is needed to improve patient outcome. Improved venous thromboembolism prevalence data are also needed.
Proximal Tibial Anterior Closing Wedge Osteotomy in Repeat Revision of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Sonnery-Cottet Bertrand , Mogos Stefan , Thaunat Mathieu , Archbold Pooler , Fayard Jean-Marie , Freychet Benjamin , Clechet Julien , Chambat Pierre 
Published: May 2014

Background: Physicians should consider an increased posterior tibial slope (PTS) as a risk factor for graft failure when proposing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) re-revision. Purpose: To describe the surgical technique of combined ACL revision and proximal tibial anterior closing wedge osteotomy and to evaluate its clinical outcome in cases of recurrent graft failure with associated increased tibial slope. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between 2008 and 2010, 5 combined ACL re-revisions with proximal tibial anterior closing wedge osteotomy were retrospectively evaluated after a mean 31.6 months’ follow-up (range, 23-45 months). All patients reported subjective knee instability preoperatively and demonstrated increased laxity on physical examination. Intrinsic risk factors for graft failure (excessive tibial slope) were identified in all cases. Preoperative and postoperative functional assessments included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score along with the Lysholm score and Tegner activity scale. Results: The mean Lysholm score was 46.2 preoperatively (range, 26-69) and 87.8 (range, 60-100) postoperatively. The mean IKDC subjective score was 39.5 (range, 21.8-64.4) before surgery and 79.1 (range, 48.3-98.9) at the last follow-up. The mean Tegner activity score was 7.4 (range, 5-9) before the latest ACL injury and 7.2 (range, 5-9) at the last follow-up. The mean PTS was 13.6° (range, 13°-14°) preoperatively and 9.2° (range, 8°-10°) postoperatively ( P = .0005). The mean differential anterior laxity was 10.4 mm (range, 8-14 mm), and this significantly decreased to 2.8 mm (range, 2-4 mm) at the last follow-up. Using the Kellgren-Lawrence classification to evaluate the presence of arthritis, 1 patient was grade 1, 3 patients were grade 2, and 1 patient was grade 3. Conclusion: Combined ACL re-revision with proximal tibial anterior closing wedge osteotomy restores knee stability and function with satisfactory clinical outcomes in patients who experience recurrent ACL ruptures with an associated increased PTS.
The Concentric Circles of South Africa’s Foreign Policy under Jacob Zuma
Authors: Landsberg Chris 
Published: May 2014

South Africa’s foreign policy could be viewed as a set of concentric circles which define the Republic’s international priorities. In an attempt to bring coherence and predictability to them, the Zuma government has tried to learn from its predecessor, the Mbeki government (1999–2008), by putting emphasis on key international relations and concerns, and the idea was suggested that these different layers reinforced each other. According to stated policy, pursuit of the national interests lay at the heart of the Republic’s international strategies and came to be regarded as the new glue that holds it together, albeit it is four years into Zuma’s government and the ‘national interest’ remains poorly developed and in need of expansion and implementation. A set of wider foreign policy concentric circles informs foreign policy, championed as ‘Pursuing African Advancement and Enhanced Cooperation’. This agenda was to be pursued under a series of sub-goals or sub-categories, for our purposes concentric circles, namely (a) closing the gap between domestic and foreign policy; (b) continued prioritisation of the African continent—the Mbeki government called it African Agenda, or Africa first policy; (c) strengthening South–South relations; (d) strategic relations with strategic formations for the North; (e) participating in the global system of governance and (f) strengthening political and economic relations. While these six pillars were clearly developed on paper, and self-standing, how they all relate to the epicentre of the national interest and overlap one another is not so clear. More serious effort is needed on the part of government to close this lacuna, and the idea of coherence between them should not be assumed if there is to be consistency between them and the stated annulus of national interest.
Self-inflicted burn injuries in the Australian context
Authors: Wood Rebecca 
Published: May 2014

Objective: The primary objective was to calculate the number of self-inflicted burn injuries of all admissions in an Australian hospital burns unit. The secondary objectives included examining the demographic profile, length of stay and co-morbidity of mental illness in these cases compared with the total admissions to the burns unit. Methods: A retrospective study of medical records was conducted at a tertiary burns unit over a 5-year period. Results: A total of 33 self-inflicted burn injury cases were identified which represented 2.2% of all burns unit admissions. These patients were 70% male, the average age was 36.1 years and 11 were born overseas, which was similar to the profile of all admissions. Twenty-four (73%) patients were diagnosed with a mental illness, compared with 14% for all admissions. The average length of stay was 52 days, compared with the burns unit average of 12 days. Conclusions: While the percentage of self-inflicted burn cases of all burns unit admissions was low, these cases have a greater burden of care due to their longer admission time and higher frequency of co-morbid mental illness. This finding supports the need for close involvement of consultation liaison psychiatry teams within a burns unit.
Telemedicine as a Tool to Provide Family Conferences and Palliative Care Consultations in Critically Ill Patients at Rural Health Care Institutions
Authors: Menon Prema R. , Stapleton Renee D. , McVeigh Ursula , Rabinowitz Terry 
Published: May 2014

Background: Many critically ill patients who transfer from rural hospitals to tertiary care centers (TCCs) have poor prognoses, and family members are unable to discuss patient prognosis and goals of care with TCC providers until after transfer. Aim: Our TCC conducted teleconferences prior to transfer to facilitate early family discussions. Design/Setting: We conducted a retrospective review of these telemedicine family conferences among critically ill patients requested for transfer which occurred from December 2008 to December 2009 at our TCC. Outcomes for each patient and detailed descriptions of the conference content were obtained. We also assessed limitations and attitudes and satisfaction with this intervention among clinicians. Results: During the 12-month period, 12 telemedicine consultations were performed. Of these patients, 10 (83%) died in the 30 days following the request for transfer. After the telemedicine consultation, 8 (67%) patients were transferred to our TCC from their respective hospitals, while 4 (33%) patients continued care at their regional hospital and did not transfer. Of the patients who transferred to TCC, 7 (88% of those transferred) returned to their community after a stay at the TCC. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that palliative care consultations can be provided via telemedicine for critically ill patients and that adequate preparation and technical expertise are essential. Although this study is limited by the nature of the retrospective review, it is evident that more research is needed to further assess its applicability, utility, and acceptability.
Impact of diet-induced obesity in male mouse reproductive system: The role of advanced glycation end product–receptor for advanced glycation end product axis
Authors: Moschonas Dimitrios P , Piperi Christina , Korkolopoulou Penelope , Levidou Georgia , Kavantzas Nikolaos , Trigka Eleni-Andriana , Vlachos Ioannis , Arapostathi Christina , Perrea Despina , Mitropoulos Dionysios , Diamanti-Kandarakis Evanthia , Papavassiliou Athanasios G 
Published: May 2014

Obesity represents a route to broad physiological dysfunction affecting major organs including male urogenital system. Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress associated with obesity augment the formation of reactive metabolic by-products, namely advanced glycation end products (AGEs), leading to increased tissue deposition and damage. The exogenous intake and the endogenous accumulation of AGEs contribute to metabolic and reproductive abnormalities in both women and men. The present study assessed the effects of a diet high in saturated fatty acids (SAFA) on the lipid and metabolic profile (AGE levels, oxidative stress) as well as pathogenic (AGE, receptor for AGEs [RAGE] expression, apoptosis) and morphometric parameters of male reproductive system in vivo. Effects of switching to a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) or equal in the proportion MUFA to SAFA were further investigated. SAFA-fed animals were characterized by increased serum lipid concentrations ( p < .05) compared to controls, but AGEs and peroxide levels were not significantly different across the different experimental groups. Elevated AGE deposition was detected for the first time in germ cells with a higher staining intensity in animals on the SAFA diet, compared to MUFA or MUFA–SAFA-fed animals or the control samples ( p = .018). In Leydig cells, AGE localization was higher in the entire cohort of high-fat-fed animals compared to controls ( p < .05). High-fat-fed mice displayed enhanced apoptosis compared to controls ( p < .005). Furthermore, prostatic tissue demonstrated reduction in epithelial folding, an effect which was significantly reversed after MUFA diet administration. Our findings provide the basis for further investigation of AGE–RAGE axis in testicular and prostatic disturbances associated with diet-induced obesity. Simple dietetic intervention has beneficial effects on metabolic dysfunction of reproductive system before overt manifestations, indicating glycation as a promising therapeutic target.
Estimation of optimal dynamic treatment regimes
Authors: Zhao Ying-Qi , Laber Eric B 
Published: May 2014

Background Recent advances in medical research suggest that the optimal treatment rules should be adaptive to patients over time. This has led to an increasing interest in studying dynamic treatment regime, a sequence of individualized treatment rules, one per stage of clinical intervention, which maps present patient information to a recommended treatment. There has been a recent surge of statistical work for estimating optimal dynamic treatment regimes from randomized and observational studies. The purpose of this article is to review recent methodological progress and applied issues associated with estimating optimal dynamic treatment regimes. Methods We discuss sequential multiple assignment randomized trials, a clinical trial design used to study treatment sequences. We use a common estimator of an optimal dynamic treatment regime that applies to sequential multiple assignment randomized trials data as a platform to discuss several practical and methodological issues. Results We provide a limited survey of practical issues associated with modeling sequential multiple assignment randomized trials data. We review some existing estimators of optimal dynamic treatment regimes and discuss practical issues associated with these methods including model building, missing data, statistical inference, and choosing an outcome when only non-responders are re-randomized. We mainly focus on the estimation and inference of dynamic treatment regimes using sequential multiple assignment randomized trials data. Dynamic treatment regimes can also be constructed from observational data, which may be easier to obtain in practice; however, care must be taken to account for potential confounding.
Accuracy of a Novel Noninvasive Transdermal Continuous Glucose Monitor in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Saur Nicole M. , England Michael R. , Menzie Wayne , Melanson Ann Marie , Trieu My-Quyen , Berlin Jason , Hurley James , Krystyniak Keith , Kongable Gail L. , Nasraway Stanley A. 
Published: May 2014

Background: Stress hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the critically ill. Intermittent, random blood glucose (BG) measurements can miss episodes of hyper- and hypoglycemia. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Symphony® continuous glucose monitor (CGM) in critically ill cardiac surgery patients. Methods: Fifteen adult cardiac surgery patients were evaluated immediately postoperatively in the intensive care unit. Prelude® SkinPrep prepared the skin and a sensor was applied to 2 test sites on each subject to monitor interstitial fluid glucose. Reference BG was sampled at 30- to 60-minute intervals. The skin at the test sites was inspected for adverse effects. Accuracy of the retrospectively analyzed CGM data relative to reference BG values was determined using continuous glucose-error grid analysis (CG-EGA) and mean absolute relative difference (MARD). Results: Using 570 Symphony CGM glucose readings paired with reference BG measurements, CG-EGA showed that 99.6% of the readings were within zones A and B. BG measurements ranged from 73 to 251 mg/dL. The MARD was 12.3%. No adverse device effects were reported. Conclusions: The Symphony CGM system is able to safely, continuously, and noninvasively monitor glucose in the transdermal interstitial fluid of cardiac surgery intensive care unit patients with accuracy similar to that reported with other CGM systems. Future versions of the system will need real-time data analysis, fast warm-up, and less frequent calibrations to be used in the clinical setting.