bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Course of functional status in elderly patients after coronary artery bypass surgery: 6‐month follow up
Authors: Niemeyer‐Guimarães Márcio , Cendoroglo Maysa Seabra , Almada‐Filho Clineu Mello 
Published: July 2015

AimTo determine longitudinal changes in functional status using three functional assessment scales in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.MethodsThis was a prospective observational cohort study of 73 patients aged ≥60 years undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients were assessed for functional status before admission, at hospital discharge, and at 1 and 6 months after discharge using the Functional Independence Measure, Katz Activities of Daily Living scale, and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale. Data were stratified by age (≥70 years and <70 years) and complications (with and without) for analysis.ResultsIn patients aged ≥70 years (n = 38), Functional Independence Measure scores ranged from 121.30 ± 6.42 (pre‐admission) to 112.10 ± 17.10 (1 month) and 117.80 ± 13.50 (6 months), Katz scores from 5.88 ± 0.32 (pre‐admission) to 5.45 ± 1.04 (1 month) and 5.83 ± 0.65 (6 months), and Lawton scores from 25.40 ± 3.30 (pre‐admission) to 20.05 ± 4.93 (1 month) and 24.50 ± 4.10 (6 months; P < 0.001 for all). No significant changes were found in scale scores over time between groups with (n = 34) and without (n = 39) complications. When groups aged ≥70 years (n = 38) and <70 (n = 35) were compared, Functional Independence Measure scores showed a difference toward recovery over time in older patients (discharge – pre‐admission, P = 0.010; 1 month – pre‐admission, P = 0.0004; and 6 months – pre‐admission, P = 0.079).ConclusionsThe Functional Independence Measure was able to detect significant functional loss over a 6‐month period in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, suggesting that this scale is a promising tool for the assessment of functional recovery over time after cardiac surgery, especially in patients aged older than 70 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; ●●: ●●–●●.
CSR beyond the corporation: contested governance in global value chains
Authors: BAIR JENNIFER , PALPACUER FLORENCE 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe frontier of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is constantly being negotiated by corporate and non‐corporate actors that vie to define its meaning and scope. In this article, we explore the relationship between CSR and governance in the context of global value chains that span both organizational boundaries and geographic borders. We draw on the CSR and global value chain literature to highlight the nexus between CSR and what we see as two overlapping dimensions of governance. These are industrial governance (or the coordination of relationships among actors in a global value chain) and global governance (the efforts of non‐state actors to manage transnational processes, including via the creation of norms and rules regarding global production). Drawing inspiration from an emergent neo‐Gramscian perspective on global value chains, we propose the notion of contested governance to explain how CSR becomes a key domain in which these contending, though potentially complementary, ways of defining and delimiting governance as an analytic concept play out.
Growing in value: NGOs, social movements and the cultivation of developmental value chains in Uttarakhand, India
Authors: NICKOW ANDRE 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe social consequences of global value chains – including their effects on economic development – are shaped, in part, by non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) and social movement organizations (SMOs). While scholars have extensively explored the causes and effects of downstream corporate social responsibility, we know little about the influence of upstream NGOs and SMOs in shaping value chains. To address this lacuna, I draw on a case study of rural development organizations in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. I find that these groups build marginal producers’ organizational and technical capacity, assist producers in meeting certification standards, and work to cultivate alternative value chain segments, both local and global. Results suggest that NGOs and SMOs help marginal producers to engage more profitably with corporate value chains, even as they simultaneously pursue strategies that are more contentious and that aim to create deeper structural change.
EDF Energy's green CSR claims examined: the follies of global carbon commodity chains
Authors: BÖHM STEFFEN , BREI VINICIUS , DABHI SIDDHARTHA 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this article, we analyse the dynamic connections constituted by the global commodity chains of carbon markets, which offer profit, marketing and legitimacy‐providing opportunities for both Northern and Southern corporations. Specifically, we contrast EDF Energy's green CSR and marketing discourse with the social, economic and environmental realities on the ground near the factory of Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited (GFL), which operates one of the biggest clean development mechanism (CDM) projects in India. Based on historical documents, secondary datasets, companies’ websites and their financial information, primary ethnographic and interview data, our analysis makes a direct link – enabled by global carbon markets – between the green claims made by EDF Energy, one of the biggest energy companies in the UK, and the dirty reality of GFL's operations in India. In this historical case, we put into doubt the green CSR claims made by EDF Energy, questioning the discourse of sustainable development and improvement in people's lives that surround global carbon markets and specifically the CDM.
Imaging Pathways in Fractured Rock Using Three‐Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography
Authors: Robinson Judith , Slater Lee , Johnson Timothy , Shapiro Allen , Tiedeman Claire , Ntarlagiannis Dimitrios , Johnson Carole , Day‐Lewis Frederick , Lacombe Pierre , Imbrigiotta Thomas , Lane John 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMajor challenges exist in delineating bedrock fracture zones because these cause abrupt changes in geological and hydrogeological properties over small distances. Borehole observations cannot sufficiently capture heterogeneity in these systems. Geophysical techniques offer the potential to image properties and processes in between boreholes. We used three‐dimensional cross borehole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in a 9 m (diameter) × 15 m well field to capture high‐resolution flow and transport processes in a fractured mudstone contaminated by chlorinated solvents, primarily trichloroethylene. Conductive (sodium bromide) and resistive (deionized water) injections were monitored in seven boreholes. Electrode arrays with isolation packers and fluid sampling ports were designed to enable acquisition of ERT measurements during pulsed tracer injections. Fracture zone locations and hydraulic pathways inferred from hydraulic head drawdown data were compared with electrical conductivity distributions from ERT measurements. Static ERT imaging has limited resolution to decipher individual fractures; however, these images showed alternating conductive and resistive zones, consistent with alternating laminated and massive mudstone units at the site. Tracer evolution and migration was clearly revealed in time‐lapse ERT images and supported by in situ borehole vertical apparent conductivity profiles collected during the pulsed tracer test. While water samples provided important local information at the extraction borehole, ERT delineated tracer migration over spatial scales capturing the primary hydrogeological heterogeneity controlling flow and transport. The fate of these tracer injections at this scale could not have been quantified using borehole logging and/or borehole sampling methods alone.
Longitudinal assessment of bone loss using quantitative ultrasound in a blood‐induced arthritis rabbit model
Authors: Wang K. C. , Amirabadi A. , Wang K. C. , Moineddin R. , Jong R. , Tomlinson C. , Doria A. S. 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionOsteoporosis is common in haemophilic arthropathy. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) can be a suitable alternative for dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry for diagnosing osteoporosis in haemophiliacs due to its lack of ionizing radiation, and ease to use.AimWe investigated the intra‐ and inter‐operator reliability of QUS, its responsiveness to bone growth, its ability to differentiate bone adjacent to blood‐injected vs. control joints, and the effect of soft tissues on the speed of sound (SOS) QUS values in a juvenile white New Zealand rabbit model of blood‐induced arthritis.MethodsEight of 16 rabbits were injected with autologous blood (0.1 mL kg−1) 8 times over a 17‐week period, the remaining eight rabbits served as controls. SOS was measured at baseline, weeks 8 and 17 in vivo and after the bones were excised on week 17.ResultsIntra‐ and inter‐operator coefficients of variation for QUS data were <5% and intraclass correlation coefficients were >60% for 22/27 (81.5%) of bones assessed. The level of interval increase in SOS values from baseline to week 17 was significantly different in tibiae of injected, contralateral to injected and non‐injected knee groups by anova (P = 0.01). In vivo (mean ± SD, 4147.17 ± 96.27 m s−1) and postmortem (4457.85 ± 104.00 m s−1) measurements on week 17 differed (P < 0.01) indicating an effect of soft tissues on SOS.ConclusionIn conclusion, QUS' acceptable reliability, its responsiveness to growth‐related changes and its ability to discriminate injected and non‐injected joints make this technique a plausible candidate as a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis in the paediatic haemophilic population if these results are confirmed upon animal–human translation.
Distress in patients with bleeding disorders: a single institutional cross‐sectional study
Authors: Barry V. , Lynch M. E. , Tran D. Q. , Antun A. , Cohen H. G. , DeBalsi A. , Hicks D. , Mattis S. , Ribeiro M. J. A. , Stein S. F. , Truss C. L. , Tyson K. , Kempton C. L. 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionDistress may affect a patient's ability to cope with and manage disease.AimTo report distress prevalence in adult patients with bleeding disorders and determine whether specific clinical and health characteristics, including disease severity and employment status, are associated with distress.MethodsPatients who visited a Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) between January 1st, 2012 through February 28th, 2014 and who completed a distress screen, pain screen and questionnaire were evaluated cross sectionally. Distress was measured by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Management Tool, which allowed patients to rate recent distress on a 0–10 point scale. A rating of five or more was categorized as high distress. Pain was measured by the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form, which asked patients to rate pain types on 0–10 point scales. Patients reported employment and other demographic and behavioural information on the questionnaire. Primary diagnosis, age, HIV and HCV status were abstracted from medical records. Adjusted logistic regression was used to identify distress associations.ResultsHigh distress prevalence among 152 patients with bleeding disorders was 31.6%. Unemployment, disability, greater depressive symptoms and higher pain were associated with high distress in multivariable models. Bleeding disorder diagnosis, race/ethnicity, HIV/HCV status and on‐demand treatment regimen were not associated with high distress.ConclusionDistress among patients with congenital bleeding disorders followed at a comprehensive HTC was high and similar to that reported among patients with cancer. Future research should determine whether distress impacts clinical outcomes in patients with bleeding disorders as demonstrated in other chronic disorders.
Using routine Haemophilia Joint Health Score for international comparisons of haemophilia outcome: standardization is needed
Authors: Nijdam A. , Bladen M. , Hubert N. , Pettersson M. , Bartels B. , van der Net J. , Liesner R. , Petrini P. , Kurnik K. , Fischer K. 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionHaemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) is the most sensitive validated score for physical examination of joint health in haemophilia. HJHS performed at regular intervals can be used for clinical monitoring as well as for comparative outcomes research.AimTo determine whether routinely collected HJHS could be used to compare outcome of three different prophylactic regimens in children with severe haemophilia A (primary) and which parameters caused variability in HJHS (secondary).MethodsInternational retrospective observational multi‐centre study comparing routine HJHS in 127 children with severe haemophilia A born from 1995 to 2009, from London, Stockholm and Utrecht centres. Patient and treatment data were collected from the European Paediatric Network for Haemophilia Management registry and patient files. The independent effects of regimens, physiotherapists, age and inhibitor status on HJHS were explored, using multivariable regression analysis.ResultsProphylaxis varied across participating centres, with differences in initial frequency of infusions (1× per week vs. 3× per week), age at reaching infusions ≥3× per week, and dose kg−1 week−1 at HJHS assessment. Evaluation at median age of 11 years showed an illogical association of HJHS with treatment regimen: the least intensive regimen had the lowest HJHS. The HJHS increased with age and history of inhibitor, as expected (internal validity). But the comparison of prophylactic regimens was obscured by systematic differences in assessment between physiotherapists, both within and between centres.ConclusionInter‐physiotherapist discrepancies in routine HJHS hamper comparison of scores between treatment regimens. For multi‐centre research, additional inter‐observer standardization for HJHS scoring is needed.
Prescriptions of dialysate potassium concentration during short daily or long nocturnal (high dose) hemodialysis
Authors: Leypoldt John K. , Agar Baris U. , Bernardo Angelito A. , Culleton Bruce F. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe prescription of dialysate potassium concentration during short daily and long nocturnal (high dose) hemodialysis (HD) is challenging due to limited clinical experience with such modalities. The aim here is to propose a quantitative approach for prescribing dialysate potassium concentrations during high‐dose HD. Potassium kinetic parameters based on a pseudo one‐compartment model from 547 patients participating in the HEMO Study were used for prediction purposes in this study. Patients were categorized based on the prescribed dialysate potassium concentration during thrice weekly HD as 1K (mean of 1.02 mEq/L, N = 60), 2K (2.01 mEq/L, N = 437), or 3K (3.01 mEq/L, N = 50). Dialysate potassium concentrations were then predicted for each patient during short daily and long nocturnal HD based on a pseudo one‐compartment model to maintain the identical weekly dialytic potassium removal and predialysis serum potassium concentration as during thrice weekly HD. Predicted prescribed dialysate potassium concentrations for short daily HD were 0.18–0.45 mEq/L higher than during thrice weekly HD but were approximately 4 (3.72–4.26) mEq/L for all patients during long nocturnal HD. The intradialytic decrease in serum potassium concentration was predicted to be reduced by more than one‐half during short daily HD and by approximately three‐quarters during long nocturnal HD of that during thrice weekly HD. Prescribed dialysate potassium concentration during high‐dose HD modalities can be quantitatively predicted using a pseudo one‐compartment kinetic model. High‐dose HD modalities may improve clinical outcomes by reducing intradialytic decreases in serum potassium.
Risk of major depression in patients with chronic renal failure on different treatment modalities: A matched‐cohort and population‐based study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Shih‐Feng , Wang I‐Jen , Lang Hui‐Chu 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe influence of different treatment modalities on the risk of developing major depression in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) is not well understood. We aimed to explore the incidence of major depression among patients with CRF who were on different dialysis modalities, who had received renal transplantation (RT), and those who had not yet received any of the aforementioned renal replacement therapies. We conducted a population‐based retrospective cohort study using a national health insurance research database. This study investigated 89,336 study controls, 17,889 patients with chronic kidney disease on conservative treatment, 3823 patients on hemodialysis (HD), 351 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and 322 patients who had RT. We followed all individuals until the occurrence of major depression or the date of loss to follow‐up. The PD group had the highest risk (hazard ratio [HR] 2.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–4.69), whereas the RT group had the lowest risk (HR 0.18; 95% CI 0.03–1.29) of developing major depression compared with the control group. Patients initiated on PD had a higher risk of developing major depression than patients initiated on HD (pairwise comparison: HR 2.20; 95% CI 1.09–4.46). Different treatment modalities are associated with different risks of developing major depression in patients with CRF. Among renal replacement therapies, patients who have had RT have the lowest risk of developing major depression. Patients who initiate renal therapy on PD may have a higher risk of major depression compared with patients who initiate renal therapy on HD.
Access to Triptans for Acute Episodic Migraine: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Khan Sobia , Mascarenhas Alekhya , Moore Julia E. , Knowles Sandra , Gomes Tara 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveOur study aims to examine factors related to access of triptans among multiple stakeholder groups.BackgroundTriptans are a cornerstone of pain management for the acute treatment of migraine, but actual utilization of triptans is lower than ideal. Initial and continued access to triptans may be an important clinical issue in the acute treatment of migraines, but factors affecting access at the patient, provider, and health‐care system levels have not been comprehensively explored.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in Ontario, Canada, between August 2013 and January 2014. Three participant groups were recruited to the qualitative study: (1) migraineurs who have experience accessing triptans; (2) physicians, including primary care physicians (PCPs) and neurologists, who have prescribed triptans; and (3) pharmacists who have dispensed triptans. Qualitative data were collected through one‐on‐one, semi‐structured telephone interviews. The framework approach was used for data collection and analysis.ResultsData collected from 19 migraineurs, 6 physicians, and 8 pharmacists were included in the analysis. Study participants discussed various factors that facilitate or hinder access to triptans, which were synthesized into four themes that emerged at the patient, provider, and health‐care systems levels: (1) awareness; (2) apathy; (3) advocacy; and (4) affordability. Across all participant groups, awareness of available treatments and coverage policies for those treatments were potential factors relating to timely drug provision. Participants describe apathy in terms of patients' health‐seeking behaviors and physicians' lack of concern toward migraine, which were seen as factors that could delay diagnosis and provision of appropriate treatment. Patients engaging in self‐advocacy enhanced their ability to seek timely and appropriate provision of triptans at the patient level. At the health‐care provider level, pharmacists were identified by patients as advocates for receiving more effective treatments for their migraines; pharmacists also self‐identified with the advocate role. The affordability of triptans was a key concern impacting access at the systems level, but coverage limitations (eg, quantity limits) were also described to influence the appropriateness of prescribed migraine treatment.ConclusionThis study fills a gap in knowledge about access to triptans and how this may be impacted by patient, provider, and health‐care systems barriers. Overall, our study sheds light on the experiences of prescribing, dispensing, and accessing triptans for migraine treatment, and unveils important information that can impact how patients access these drugs.
Wnt agonist stimulates liver regeneration after small‐for‐size liver transplantation in rats
Authors: Ma Yuefeng , Lv Xiangwei , He Jinjing , Liu Tianqing , Wen Shuang , Wang Liming 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimLiver regeneration is inhibited in small‐for‐size grafts, which plays a role in the failure of partial liver grafts after transplantation. The Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway plays a critical role in liver development, regeneration and homeostasis. In this study, we investigated whether pharmacological activation of Wnt signaling improves liver regeneration after small‐for‐size liver transplantation.MethodsThe livers of male Sprague–Dawley rats were reduced to approximately 50% and 30% of their original sizes and transplanted. A Wnt agonist (2‐amino‐4‐[3,4‐[methylenedioxy]benzylamino]‐6‐[3‐methoxyphenyl] pyrimidine], 5 mg/kg bodyweight) or an equal volume of vehicle was administrated i.p. into the donor 1 h before the transplantation. Tissue and blood samples were collected at various times after transplantation, and a survival study was performed.ResultsHepatic expression of active β‐catenin and its downstream target gene Axin2 were decreased in 30% of liver grafts after transplantation while the Wnt agonist increased their expression similar to the 50% liver grafts. The Wnt agonist reversed inhibition of cyclin D1 expression and adenosine triphosphate production in the 30% liver grafts compared with the 50% grafts. The Wnt agonist also attenuated hepatocellular injury and increased the hepatocyte proliferation response, liver regeneration rate and survival after transplantation of the 30% liver graft.ConclusionActivation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in liver grafts by pharmacological pretreatment can accelerate regeneration in a partial liver transplant model.
Patient communication pattern scale: psychometric characteristics
Authors: Ilan Sara , Carmel Sara 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundIn western societies, a shared decision‐making model for doctor–patient relationships calling for open and collaborative communication is recommended. Research focuses mainly on the doctor's communication patterns, while research on patient communication patterns is rare. The purpose of this study was to develop a tool for evaluating patient's communication patterns – the Patient Communication Pattern Scale (PCPS).MethodsInterviews based on structured questionnaires were conducted with 251 cancer patients. In addition to the 14‐item PCPS, the questionnaire included questions regarding education, religiosity and desirability of control in general and over one's own health in particular, for validating the scale.ResultsThe PCPS was found to be a valid and reliable tool for evaluating patients' communication patterns. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the PCPS designed structure of five facets: (1) Information, (2) Clarification, (3) Initiation, (4) Preferences and (5) Emotions.ConclusionThe PCPS is a reliable scale for evaluating patient communication patterns. The use of this scale can assist in promoting related research and in developing interventions for enhancing open and collaborative doctor–patient communication.