bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘I take for granted that patients know’ – oral health professionals' strategies, considerations and methods when teaching patients how to use fluoride toothpaste
Authors: Jensen O , Gabre P , Sköld UM , Birkhed D , Povlsen L 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the oral health professionals' (OHPs') perspectives regarding their strategies, considerations and methods when teaching their patients the most effective way of toothbrushing with fluoride (F) toothpaste.MethodsA qualitative research method was used to collect data. To stimulate interactivity among the participants, interviews were performed in focus groups. Five groups of OHPs, including dentists, dental hygienists and dental nurses, were interviewed a total of 23 individuals. The interviews were analysed using manifest and latent qualitative content analysis. Data were systematically condensed and coded to the relevant phrases that identified their content.ResultsThree categories were identified in the manifest and latent content analysis: (i) strategies and intentions, (ii) providing oral hygiene information and instruction and (iii) barriers to optimal oral healthcare education. Health promotion and seeing to the patients' best interest were driving forces among the OHPs as well as personal success in their preventive work. They focused on toothbrushing techniques more than on how to use F toothpaste. Barriers to oral health information were cost to the patients and, to some extent, the opinion of the OHPs that some patients were impossible to motivate or that patients already know what to do.ConclusionThe OHPs described toothbrushing with F toothpaste as very important, although the plaque removal perspective dominated. They did not focus on how to use F toothpaste, because they believed that knowledge about and appropriate behaviour concerning F toothpaste were already familiar to their patients.
Stroke thrombolysis in patients taking dabigatran
Authors: Jayathissa S. , Gommans J. , Harper P. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractStroke thrombolysis is becoming a common practice in Australian and New Zealand hospitals. There are no established guidelines for thrombolysis of patients who are taking dabigatran, and accurate medication reconciliation may not be possible. Patients with normal activated partial thromboplastin time are unlikely to have clinically significant dabigatran concentration in the blood. For safest outcomes, we suggest incorporating thrombin time assay for acute stroke patients suspected to be taking dabigatran.
Parathyromatosis following spontaneous rupture of a parathyroid adenoma: natural history and the challenge of management
Authors: Sim I.‐W. , Farrell S. , Grodski S. , Jung C. , Ng K. W. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractParathyromatosis, the presence of small nodules of hyper‐functioning parathyroid tissue scattered throughout the soft tissues of the neck and superior mediastinum, is a rare cause of persistent primary hyperparathyroidism. We report the first case of parathyromatosis secondary to spontaneous rupture of a parathyroid adenoma. Despite running an indolent course, this case highlights the potential challenges of management of parathyromatosis and the value of calcimimetic therapy as an adjunct to surgery for disease control.
The patient is the teacher: ambulatory patient‐centred student‐based interprofessional education where the patient is the teacher who improves patient care outcomes
Authors: Fiddes P. J. , Brooks P. M. , Komesaroff P. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe patient's role as the key to medical student education was enunciated by Osler in 1903 and remains central to the broader imperative of interprofessional education. Interprofessional education needs to progress from the patient's passive bedside or office role to assume a more active and primary role by his/her participation as the teacher, immersed in student education. To date, the achievements in interprofessional education have been limited, but ambulatory patient‐centred learning opportunities involving direct student to patient dialogues and mixed health professional student engagement with patients as teachers are emerging within various interprofessional student clinic formats. There is good evidence that such approaches lead to actual improvements in patient outcomes.
The binding sites of monoclonal antibodies to the non‐reducing end of Francisella tularensis O‐antigen accommodate mainly the terminal saccharide
Authors: Lu Zhaohua , Rynkiewicz Michael J. , Yang Chiou‐Ying , Madico Guillermo , Perkins Hillary M. , Wang Qi , Costello Catherine E. , Zaia Joseph , Seaton Barbara A. , Sharon Jacqueline 
Published: July 2013

SummaryWe have previously described two types of protective B‐cell epitopes in the O‐antigen (OAg) of the Gram‐negative bacterium Francisella tularensis: repeating internal epitopes targeted by the vast majority of anti‐OAg monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and a non‐overlapping epitope at the non‐reducing end targeted by the previously unique IgG2a mAb FB11. We have now generated and characterized three mAbs specific for the non‐reducing end of F. tularensis OAg, partially encoded by the same variable region germline genes, indicating that they target the same epitope. Like FB11, the new mAbs, Ab63 (IgG3), N213 (IgG3) and N62 (IgG2b), had higher antigen‐binding bivalent avidity than internally binding anti‐OAg mAbs, and an oligosaccharide containing a single OAg repeat was sufficient for optimal inhibition of their antigen‐binding. The X‐ray crystal structure of N62 Fab showed that the antigen‐binding site is lined mainly by aromatic amino acids that form a small cavity, which can accommodate no more than one and a third sugar residues, indicating that N62 binds mainly to the terminal Qui4NFm residue at the nonreducing end of OAg. In efficacy studies with mice infected intranasally with the highly virulent F. tularensis strain SchuS4, N62, N213 and Ab63 prolonged survival and reduced blood bacterial burden. These results yield insights into how antibodies to non‐reducing ends of microbial polysaccharides can contribute to immune protection despite the smaller size of their target epitopes compared with antibodies to internal polysaccharide regions.
Epstein–Barr virus infection transforms CD25+ B cells into antibody‐secreting cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Brisslert Mikael , Rehnberg Maria , Bokarewa Maria I. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryEpstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection may initiate production of autoantibodies and development of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Here we outline phenotypic and functional changes in B cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) related to EBV infection. The B‐cell phenotype was analysed in blood and bone marrow (BM) of RA patients who had EBV transcripts in BM (EBV+, n = 13) and in EBV− (n = 22) patients with RA. The functional effect of EBV was studied in the sorted CD25+ and CD25− peripheral B cells of RA patients (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 9). Rituximab treatment results in enrichment of CD25+ B cells in peripheral blood (PB) of EBV+ RA patients. The CD25+ B‐cell subset displayed a more mature phenotype accumulating IgG‐expressing cells. It was also enriched with CD27+ and CD95+ cells in PB and BM. EBV stimulation of the sorted CD25+ B cells in vitro induced a polyclonal IgG and IgM secretion in RA patients, while CD25+ B cells of healthy subjects did not respond to EBV stimulation. CD25+ B cells were enriched in PB and synovial fluid of RA patients. EBV infection affects the B‐cell phenotype in RA patients by increasing the CD25+ subset and by inducing their immunoglobulin production. These findings clearly link CD25+ B cells to the EBV‐dependent sequence of reactions in the pathogenesis of RA.
LONGEVITYSELECTION ANDLIABILITIES INPUBLICSECTORPENSIONFUNDS
Authors: Fong Joelle H. , Piggott John , Sherris Michael 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis article assesses the cost and risk faced by public sector, defined benefit plan providers arising from uncertain mortality, including longevity selection, mortality improvements, and unexpected systematic shocks. Using longitudinal microdata on Australian pensioners, we quantify the extent of longevity selection at both aggregate and scheme level. We also show that as the age‐membership structure in a pension scheme matures, scheme‐specific longevity selection risk and systematic shocks become quantitatively more important and have larger consequences for plan liabilities than aggregate selection risk or the impact of mortality improvements.
Asymmetric Information in the Market for Automobile Insurance: Evidence From Germany
Authors: Spindler Martin , Winter Joachim , Hagmayer Steffen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAsymmetric information is an important phenomenon in insurance markets, but the empirical evidence on the extent of adverse selection and moral hazard is mixed. Because of its implications for pricing, contract design, and regulation, it is crucial to test for asymmetric information in specific insurance markets. In this article, we analyze a recent data set on automobile insurance in Germany, the largest such market in Europe. We present and compare a variety of statistical testing procedures. We find that the extent of asymmetric information depends on coverage levels and on the specific risks covered, which enhances the previous literature. Within the framework of Chiappori et al. (2006), we also test whether drivers have realistic expectations concerning their loss distribution, and we analyze the market structure.
Economic Pricing of Mortality‐Linked Securities: A Tâtonnement Approach
Authors: Zhou Rui , Li Johnny Siu‐Hang , Tan Ken Seng 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn previous research on pricing mortality‐linked securities, the no‐arbitrage approach is often used. However, this approach, which takes market prices as given, is difficult to implement in today's embryonic market where there are few traded securities. In this article, we tackle the pricing problem from a different angle by considering methods that are more related to fundamental economic concepts. Specifically, we treat the pricing work as aWalrasian tâtonnement process, in which prices are determined through a gradual calibration of supply and demand. We illustrate the proposed pricing framework with a hypothetical mortality‐linked security and mortality data from the U.S. population.
Hot Money Flows, Commodity Price Cycles and Financial Repression in the USA and China: The Consequences of Near‐zero US Interest Rates
Authors: McKinnon Ronald 
Published: July 2013

AbstractUnder near‐zero US interest rates, the international dollar standard malfunctions. Emerging markets with naturally higher interest rates are swamped with hot money inflows. Emerging market central banks intervene to prevent their currencies from rising precipitately. They lose monetary control and domestic prices begin inflating. Primary commodity prices rise worldwide unless interrupted by an international banking crisis. This cyclical inflation on the dollar's periphery only registers in the US core consumer price index with a long lag. The zero interest rate policy also fails to stimulate the US economy as domestic financial intermediation by banks and money market mutual funds is repressed. Because China is forced to keep its interest rates below market‐clearing levels, it also suffers from financial repression, although in a form differing from that in the USA.
State Fragmentation and Rights Contestation: Rural Land Development Rights in China
Authors: Su Fubing , Tao Ran , Wang Hui 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe functionalist reasoning of institutional changes builds on individual rationality and explains institutional changes from the demand side. While insightful, a comprehensive understanding also needs to take into account the supply side. The state, as the ultimate supplier of institutional changes, plays the pivotal role of agency; therefore, its willingness and ability decide how such regime change occurs and what particular form the new regime takes. Since the mid‐1990s, the Chinese economy has embarked on a path of rapid industrialization and urbanization. The contestation over rural land development rights in China offers an excellent case to illuminate the importance of state agency in institutional changes. Drawing on case studies in China's three major urbanizing regions, this article analyzes how villages brought their own land directly to the land market and reaped handsome profits. We argue that the three successful cases, Nanhai in Guangdong, Kunshan in Jiangsu and Zhenggezhuang in Beijing, all represent a product of active agency on the supply side. The Chinese state's fragmented authority provides a favorable institutional environment for such changes.
Effects of Social Capital, Top Executive Attributes and R&D on Firm Value in Chinese Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises
Authors: Qiao Penghua , Fung Hung‐Gay , Ju Xiaofeng 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis study uses an unbalanced panel data analysis to examine the effects of social capital, top executive attributes and R&D on firm value in Chinese small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises Board from 2007 to 2011. There are several interesting findings. First, the gender (male) and academic degree of the chairperson in the SMEs have a positive and significant effect on firm value. Second, social capital (measured by political connections, managerial business association networks and technology association networks) and R&D have a positive effect on SME firm value. Third, the effect of political connections on firm value for state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) is stronger than for non‐SOEs, while the effect of business and technology networks on firm value for non‐SOEs is stronger than for SOEs. Our study has important policy implications for SMEs that want to compete successfully in China.
Four‐year follow‐up of combined surgical therapy of advanced peri‐implantitis evaluating two methods of surface decontamination
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Hegewald Andrea , John Gordon , Sahm Narja , Becker Jürgen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the impact of two surface decontamination methods on the long‐term outcomes following combined surgical resective/regenerative therapy of advanced peri‐implantitis lesions.Material and MethodsSeventeen patients (n = 17 combined supra‐ and intrabony‐defects) completed the 48 months follow‐up observation following access flap surgery, granulation tissue removal and implantoplasty at bucally and supracrestally exposed implant parts. The remaining unmodified implant surface areas were randomly treated using either (i) an Er:YAG laser (ERL), or (ii) plastic curets + cotton pellets + sterile saline (CPS), and augmented with a natural bone mineral + collagen membrane.ResultsAt 48 months, CPS‐treated sites tended to reveal higher reductions in mean BOP (CPS: 85.2 ± 16.4% versus ERL: 71.6 ± 24.9%) and CAL values (CPS: 1.5 ± 2.0 mm versus ERL: 1.2 ± 2.0 mm) when compared with the ERL group. In both groups, clinical outcomes were not directly influenced by the initial defect configuration.ConclusionThe 4‐year clinical outcomes obtained following combined surgical resective/regenerative therapy of advanced peri‐implantitis were not influenced by the method of surface decontamination.
Insulin and IGF1 modulate turnover of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA–NCAM) in a process involving specific extracellular matrix components
Authors: Monzo Hector J. , Park Thomas I. H. , Dieriks Birger V. , Jansson Deidre , Faull Richard L. M. , Dragunow Mike , Curtis Maurice A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractCellular interactions mediated by the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) are critical in cell migration, differentiation and plasticity. Switching of the NCAM‐interaction mode, from adhesion to signalling, is determined by NCAM carrying a particular post‐translational modification, polysialic acid (PSA). Regulation of cell‐surface PSA‐NCAM is traditionally viewed as a direct consequence of polysialyltransferase activity. Taking advantage of the polysialyltransferase Ca2+‐dependent activity, we demonstrate in TE671 cells that downregulation of PSA‐NCAM synthesis constitutes a necessary but not sufficient condition to reduce cell‐surface PSA‐NCAM; instead, PSA‐NCAM turnover required internalization of the molecule into the cytosol. PSA‐NCAM internalization was specifically triggered by collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and prevented by insulin‐like growth factor (IGF1) and insulin. Our results pose a novel role for IGF1 and insulin in controlling cell migration through modulation of PSA‐NCAM turnover at the cell surface.
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Neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs) are critically involved in cell differentiation and migration. Polysialylation (PSA)/desialylation of NCAMs switches their functional interaction mode and, in turn, migration and differentiation. We have found that the desialylation process of PSA–NCAM occurs via endocytosis, induced by collagen‐IV and blocked by insulin‐like growth factor (IGF1) and insulin, suggesting a novel association between PSA–NCAM, IGF1/insulin and brain/tumour plasticity.
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM THREE DECADES OF RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF PUBLIC CAPITAL?
Authors: Bom Pedro R.D. , Ligthart Jenny E. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe last three decades have witnessed a great deal of research effort devoted to measuring the private output elasticity of public capital. The wide range of available estimates have precluded any consensus so far, however. This paper reconciles the empirical findings of the literature by quantitatively analyzing a sample of 578 estimates collected from 68 studies for the 1983–2008 period. Using meta‐regression analysis, we show how study design characteristics and publication bias can explain a large fraction of the variation across estimates. We find a short‐run output elasticity of public capital supplied at the central government level of 0.083, which increases to 0.122 in the long run. If, in addition, only core infrastructure at a regional/local level of government is considered, these estimates are almost doubled. The average output elasticity of public capital amounts to 0.106. Our results suggest that public capital is undersupplied in OECD economies.
Community Pharmacy Detection of Erectile Dysfunction in Men with Risk Factors or Who Seek Treatment or Advice But Lack a Valid Prescription
Authors: Morales Antonio Martin , Hatzichristou Dimitris , Lladós Joan Ramon , Renedo Virginia Pascual , Pimenidou Apostolia 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Pharmacists may be the first health care contact consulted about erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim
To assess pharmacists' ability to detect ED and encourage patients to seek medical evaluation.

Methods
This observational study conducted in Greece and Spain included men without a valid prescription for an ED medication but with a history indicating ED risk and/or who consulted a pharmacist about ED. Pharmacists completed a questionnaire about the patient. Patients completed the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM); men with a score ≤21 (cutoff for ED) were educated (by case pharmacists) and referred and encouraged to see a physician (by case and control pharmacists).

Main Outcome Measures
Proportion of men with a SHIM score ≤21 and, of those, the proportion who visited a physician and credited the pharmacist for their visit. ANCOVA and chi-square test were used for continuous and categorical data, respectively.

Results
Among the 451 men (mean±SD age, 54.9±12.9years) questioned about ED, 90% had a risk factor (usually hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes), 28% had a previous diagnosis, 36% sought internet information, 38% self-medicated, 10% took medication obtained outside the pharmacy setting, and the first health care professional approached was a pharmacist (50%), physician (18%), or nurse (1%) at a median of 6 (range, 0–360) months after symptom onset. The SHIM score was ≤21 in 348 (77%) men. A lower score (indicating increased ED severity) was associated with increased age and with benign prostate hyperplasia, depression, diabetes, or prostate cancer. In the minority of men contacted for follow-up, less than one-third had visited their physician, despite pharmacist encouragement.

Conclusions
Pharmacists are often the first health care contact regarding ED and are highly accurate in its detection. Further research is needed to optimize the pharmacist's role in early detection, education, and motivating patients to be evaluated by a physician.
Remitted Male Schizophrenia Patients with Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Kheng Yee Ong , Muhd Ramli Eni Rahaiza , Che Ismail Hasanah 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Despite the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among male schizophrenia patients, there is still a paucity of research on this area.

Aims
The study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and any association between male patients with schizophrenia in remission and the sociodemographic profile, medication, depression, anxiety, psychopathology of illness, body mass index, and waist circumference.

Methods
A cross-sectional study with nonprobability sampling method was conducted in a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Taiping Hospital (Perak, Malaysia) over a 7-month period. A total of 111 remitted male schizophrenia patients were recruited. The validated Malay version of the International Index of Erectile Function (Mal-IIEF-15) was administered to the patients and assessed over 4-week duration in the domains of erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. Logistic regression analysis was employed.

Main Outcome Measures
Prevalence and associated factors for sexual dysfunction in each domain are the main outcome measures.

Results
All five domains of sexual functioning in patients showed a high prevalence of dysfunction ranging from 78.4% to 97.1% with orgasmic dysfunction being the least impaired and intercourse satisfaction the worst impaired. Among the domains, only orgasmic dysfunction was significantly associated with race, i.e., Chinese at lower risk for impairment than the Malays (OR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.76; P = 0.018); education, i.e., patients with education higher than primary level were at higher risk for dysfunction (OR = 6.49; 95% CI: 1.32, 32.05; P = 0.022); and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)-positive subscale, i.e., higher PANSS-positive score was a protective factor for orgasmic dysfunction (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.89; P = 0.015).

Conclusions
The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was generally high. Malay patients and those with education higher than primary level were at higher risk for orgasmic dysfunction whereas higher PANSS-positive score was protective against the impairment. The high rate of sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients warrants a routine inquiry into patients' sexuality and the appropriate problems being addressed.