bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of the economic crisis on EU labour markets: A comparative perspective
Authors: TRIDICO Pasquale 
Published: July 2013

Abstract.Using a “crisis management index” to rank the combined GDP and labour market performances of the EU's 27 Member States, the author considers why some countries performed better than others in managing the economic crisis over the period 2007–11. Based on empirical correlations and regression analysis, he concludes that the best performers share a coordinated market economy model: they feature a mix of economic policies and social institutions – including coordination mechanisms and tighter financial regulation – which helped to stabilize their levels of consumption and aggregate demand. Moreover, they do not have flexible labour markets and thus managed to maintain stable employment levels.
How do the Eurozone's Beveridge and Phillips curves perform in the face of global economic crisis?
Authors: SELL Friedrich L. , REINISCH David C. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract.In the light of criticism of the failure of “mainstream” economics to predict and avert the global financial and economic crisis, the authors use panel data on 11 Eurozone countries for the period 2007–10 to investigate how two of the “traditional” tools of labour economics and macroeconomics – the Beveridge and Phillips curves – perform empirically under the “stress test” of global economic crisis. After confirming the reliability of these textbook relationships between unemployment and vacancy ratios, and unemployment and inflation, respectively, they explore the correlation between inflation and vacancies. Their findings on all three relationships highlight the complementarity of supply‐side and demand‐side policies to reduce unemployment.
Productivity, deunionization and trade: Wage effects and labour share implications
Authors: JUDZIK Dario , SALA Hector 
Published: July 2013

Abstract.Taking the standard macroeconomic assumption of a one‐to‐one relationship between wages and productivity as given, empirical studies have extensively focused on the wage and employment effects of “unfriendly” labour market institutions. Here, by contrast, the authors examine the long‐term wage effects of productivity growth, deunionization and international trade – from 1980 to 2010, in Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. After controlling for productivity, they document an underlying downward trend in wages associated with declining union density and growing exposure to international trade. Their analysis also provides useful insights into the attendant erosion of the labour income share.
Short‐time work: The German answer to the Great Recession
Authors: BRENKE Karl , RINNE Ulf , ZIMMERMANN Klaus F. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract.At the height of the economic crisis in mid‐2009, the number of Germany's short‐time workers peaked at 1.5 million. Unemployment would otherwise have increased by approximately twice as much as it did. But while short‐time work certainly helped to cushion the labour market impact of the crisis, the authors caution that the country's specific circumstances preclude simple generalizations regarding its global effectiveness. Moreover, they argue, subsequent amendments to the regulatory framework made the scheme vulnerable to abuse, as reflected in the significant numbers of short‐term workers in industries unaffected by the crisis and the emergence of a pattern of “long‐term” short‐time work.
Muscular fitness, fatness and inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents
Authors: Artero E. G. , España‐Romero V. , Jiménez‐Pavón D. , Martinez‐Gómez D. , Warnberg J. , Gómez‐Martínez S. , González‐Gross M. , Vanhelst J. , Kafatos A. , Molnar D. , De Henauw S. , Moreno L. A. , Marcos A. , Castillo M. J. ,   HELENA study group
Published: July 2013

SummaryWhat is already known about this subject
Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases involve an inflammatory process that begins early in life.
Muscular fitness has been inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents, including inflammatory biomarkers.
More research is needed to evaluate whether the influence of muscular fitness on chronic inflammation is independent of cardiorespiratory fitness and fatness.
What this study adds
Muscular fitness is inversely related with inflammatory biomarkers during adolescence, independently of cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin resistance.
The lower inflammatory status in adolescents with higher levels of muscular fitness seems to be explained by lower levels of fatness.
Overweight and obese adolescents present an exacerbated inflammatory status, but this may be counteracted – to some extent – by maintaining appropriate levels of muscular fitness.
BackgroundMuscular fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and fatness are mutually related with chronic inflammation.PurposeTo examine the independent association of muscular fitness with inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents from nine European countries.MethodsA total of 639 adolescents (296 boys) aged from 12.5 to 17.5 year were included in this report. Data collection took place in 2006–2007 and analyses in 2012. A muscular fitness score was computed from handgrip strength and standing long jump. CRF was measured using the 20 m shuttle run test. Z‐scores of C‐reactive protein, complement factors C3 and C4, leptin and white blood cell counts were summed to create a cluster of inflammatory biomarkers. Sex, age, pubertal stage and centre were used as main confounders. Additional models were further adjusted for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and sum of four skinfolds.ResultsMuscular fitness was negatively associated with single and clustered inflammatory biomarkers (standardized β from −0.399 to −0.100, all P‐values < 0.05). Additional adjustments for CRF and HOMA‐IR weakened the associations, but they still remained significant. The association was no longer significant when adjusting for skinfolds. Decreasing values of inflammatory score were observed across incremental levels of muscular fitness in both non‐overweight and overweight adolescents (P ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsAdolescents with higher levels of muscular fitness present a lower chronic inflammation, and this seems to be explained by lower levels of fatness. Yet, overweight and obese adolescents may exhibit a less adverse profile if they maintain appropriate levels of muscular fitness.
A concept analysis of watchful waiting among providers caring for women in labour
Authors: Carlson Nicole S. , Lowe Nancy K. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimThis paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of watchful waiting.BackgroundLittle is known about differences between the intrapartum care processes of midwives and physicians. In this time of growing rates of surgical birth outcomes, intrapartum care processes are a key area for research and improvement. Watchful waiting is a common care plan used by both midwives and physicians that involves the timing of interventions in labour.DesignRodgers' Evolutionary Model was used to conduct a concept analysis of the term watchful waiting.Data sourcesScientific literature authored by, and about, midwives and physicians, as located via an intrapartum‐focused database search inclusive of years 1922–May 2012. Thirty English‐language articles from nine different countries were located, representing the midwifery and physician scientific literature focusing on watchful waiting in labour and provider decision‐making processes.Review methodAttributes, consequences, antecedents and affecting themes were identified through a thematic analysis of the identified articles.ResultsData analysis reveals that many midwives and physicians define watchful waiting differently, based on their philosophies of care.ConclusionThe care of women in labour is complicated as a result of different understandings by some providers of common processes of intrapartum care.
Characterization of a New Pathogenic Acanthamoeba Species, A. byersi n. sp., Isolated from a Human with Fatal Amoebic Encephalitis
Authors: Qvarnstrom Yvonne , Nerad Thomas A. , Visvesvara Govinda S. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAcanthamoeba spp. are free‐living amoebae that are ubiquitous in natural environments. They can cause cutaneous, nasopharyngeal, and disseminated infection, leading to granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised individuals. In addition, they can cause amoebic keratitis in contact lens wearers. Acanthamoeba GAE is almost always fatal because of difficulty and delay in diagnosis and lack of optimal antimicrobial therapy. Here, we report the description of an unusual strain isolated from skin and brain of a GAE patient. The amoebae displayed large trophozoites and star‐shaped cysts, characteristics for acanthamoebas belonging to morphology Group 1. However, its unique morphology and growth characteristics differentiated this new strain from other Group 1 species. DNA sequence analysis, secondary structure prediction, and phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene confirmed that this new strain belonged to Group 1, but that it was distinct from the other sequence types within that group. Thus, we hereby propose the establishment of a new species, Acanthamoeba byersi n. sp. as well as a new sequence type, T18, for this new strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Group 1 Acanthamoeba that is indisputably pathogenic in humans.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients
Authors: Wirasorn Kosin , Ngamprasertchai Thundon , Khuntikeo Narong , Pakkhem Ake , Ungarereevittaya Piti , Chindaprasirt Jarin , Sookprasert Aumkhae 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackground and AimCholangiocarcinoma patients usually have poor treatment outcome and a high mortality rate. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is controversial. Our study aimed to evaluate benefits of AC in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients.MethodsA retrospective study included 263 patients who underwent curative resection in Srinakarind University Hospital. These patients had pathological reports showing a clear margin (R0) or microscopic margin (R1) of lesion‐free tissue.ResultsThere were 138 patients who received AC. This group had a significantly lower mean age than patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) group (57.7 ± 8.5 vs 60.4 ± 9.0 years, P = 0.01). The level of serum albumin above 3 g/dL was more common in AC group than the NAC one (87.7% vs 79.2%, P = 0.04). Patients who received AC had significantly longer overall median survival time (21.6 vs 13.4 months, P = 0.01). Patients with a combination of gemcitabine and capecitabine regimen had the longest survival time (median overall survival time of gemcitabine and capecitabine 31.5, 5‐fluorouracil and mitomycin 17.3, 5‐fluorouracil alone 22.2, capecitabine alone 21.6, and gemcitabine alone 7.9 months, P = 0.02). Benefits of AC were likely to be found in patients who had high‐risk features, that is, high level of carbohydrate antigen 19‐9, advanced stage, T4 stage, lymph node involvement, and R1 margin.ConclusionsAC significantly prolongs survival time in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients, particularly in the high risk group.
Value of interleukin‐28B genetic polymorphism on retreatment outcomes of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 relapsers by peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin
Authors: Chen Ming‐Yao , Liu Chen‐Hua , Chen Ting‐Chih , Su Tung‐Hung , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Kao Jia‐Horng , Liu Chun‐Jen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackground and AimChronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy remains the standard of care for CHC genotype 1 in many Asian countries, and single nucleotide polymorphism or genotype of the interleukin‐28B (IL28B) gene is associated with the development of sustained virologic response (SVR). The predictive value of IL28B genotype for retreatment outcomes of patients with CHC was only partly clarified and deserves further investigation.MethodsA total of 75 CHC genotype 1 Taiwanese patients who relapsed after 24‐week PEG‐IFN/RBV combination therapy and received retreatment with a 48‐week PEG‐IFN/RBV therapy were consecutively enrolled since November 2009. The associations among IL28B rs8099917 genotype, virologic kinetics, and treatment outcomes were evaluated.ResultsRapid virologic response (RVR) at week 4, end‐of‐treatment virologic response (EOT‐VR) and SVR was 37%, 73%, and 52%, respectively. Relapse rate was 29%. None of patients had rs8099917 GG genotype. Patients with TT genotype (n = 54, 72%) had higher rates of RVR (50% vs 5%, P = 0.0002), end‐of‐treatment virologic response (85% vs 43%, P = 0.0001), and SVR (67% vs 14%, P = 0.0001) than those with GT genotype (n = 21, 28%). Combination of IL28B TT genotype and achieving RVR had 85% positive and 90% negative predictive values of SVR.ConclusionsAbout half of the Taiwanese CHC relapsers to a previous 24‐week combination therapy achieve SVR after retreatment for 48 weeks. IL28B genotype influences on‐treatment viral kinetics and SVR rate in these retreated patients. Baseline IL28B genotype and RVR can serve as early predictors for treatment success.
Effect of a group intervention in the primary healthcare setting on continuing adherence to physical exercise routines in obese women
Authors: del Rey‐Moya Luz Maria , Castilla‐Álvarez Carmen , Pichiule‐Castañeda Myrian , Rico‐Blázquez Milagros , Escortell‐Mayor Esperanza , Gómez‐Quevedo Rosa ,   The Camina Group
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectivesTo determine the effect of a seven‐week‐long, group‐delivered, nurse‐monitored, exercise training programme on the adherence of obese women to physical exercise routines at 12 months.BackgroundThe worldwide obesity epidemic is posing huge public health challenges. The main cause of obesity in Europe is very possibly a sedentary lifestyle. Uncertainty exists regarding whether people will continue to exercise once a structured intervention programme of physical activity ends.DesignNo‐control‐group (before–after) intervention study.MethodsOne Hundred Seventy‐Four women from the Madrid region (Spain) aged ≥ 45 years with a body mass index of ≥30 undertook a maximum of 21 × 1 hour exercise training programme sessions (three per week) over seven weeks starting in February 2009. The number of women making use of exercise training programme before the intervention, and at 6 and 12 months postintervention, was recorded using the Nursing Outcome Classification. Information was collected by interviewing the study subjects. Bivariate (McNemar and Student's t‐tests) and multivariate (binary logistic regression) analyses were then performed.ResultsThe Nursing Outcome Classification Indicator ‘Does the subject follow an exercise training programme?’ showed that at the end of one year, the percentage of women who remained adhered to exercise training programme increased in those who completed the study (from 11–41%). As the number of programmed exercise training programme sessions completed increased beyond 14, so too did the likelihood of adhering to an exercise training programme regime at one year.ConclusionThe results show that an exercise training programme intervention can encourage obese women to continue exercising after exercise interventions end.Relevance to clinical practiceThis type of intervention could provide a valuable means of helping women lose weight and improve their health. It may also have important economic benefits for health systems. Clinical trials with longer follow‐up times and in other populations are needed to confirm the present results.
Social support, coping strategies and health‐related quality of life among primary caregivers of stroke survivors in China
Authors: Yu Yunhong , Hu Jie , Efird Jimmy T , McCoy Thomas P 
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectivesTo examine the relationships of social support and coping strategies to health‐related quality of life among primary caregivers of stroke survivors inChina.BackgroundCaring for a stroke survivor is highly stressful, which can negatively affect a caregiver's physical and psychological well‐being. Stroke caregivers generally report more somatic symptoms, depressive symptoms, sleep disorders and social isolation. They generally have poorer quality of life than the general population.DesignA cross‐sectional, descriptive, correlational study.MethodsA quasi‐random, point of reference sample of 121 survivor–caregiver dyads was recruited from three community health centres and six health service stations in a city in centralChina. Data were collected in face‐to‐face interviews at participants’ homes using structured questionnaires.ResultsHigher educational levels, planning and active coping were positively associated with health‐related quality of life. The number of chronic conditions, hours of care per day and functional dependence of the survivor were negatively related to quality of life.ConclusionActive coping strategies predicted better health‐related quality of life. Findings suggest that intervention programmes should be developed to enhance caregivers of stroke survivors’ coping skills and improve social support for these caregivers inChina.Relevance to clinical practiceCommunity healthcare providers may need to help caregivers strengthen strategies that are effective (planning, active coping, seeking instrumental and emotional support) and change those that are not helpful (venting, denial and self‐blame).
A mixed‐method study exploring suffering and alleviation in participants attending a chronic pain management programme
Authors: Dysvik Elin , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Furnes Bodil 
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore and describe the suffering of patients that arises from chronic pain, and the alleviation of this suffering within a chronic pain management programme. In this mixed‐method study, we examined how quantitative findings can be integrated to answer a complex research question and expand qualitative findings.BackgroundSuffering and grief often follow chronic pain and can involve a number of experiences. Therefore, understanding and explaining the chronic pain experience must incorporate subjective experiences and phenomenological dimensions.DesignA qualitatively driven multiple mixed‐method design. The qualitative core was supplemented with three quantitative sequential components and integrated after analyses in a result narrative.MethodsThirty‐four consecutive outpatients were recruited to an eight‐week pain management programme that was founded on cognitive behavioural therapy. The qualitative core component consisted of asking the participants about their experiences of the programme after the completion and again after six months. Two quantitative questionnaires, measuring living with pain and grief and loss were administered at pretest, post‐test and six‐month follow‐up. Satisfaction with the programme was measured after its completion.ResultsBoth the qualitative reports and the quantitative data showed that the programme had been valuable and alleviated the participants' suffering. The written reports described the importance of group processes, increased self‐understanding and other aspects that were meaningful to the participants. The quantitative data provided additional information about what and how the programme had been important to the participants.ConclusionsThe findings clearly indicate that suffering can be alleviated by attending such programme as several key shifts in perspectives took place, and allowed them to move towards a better life.Relevance to clinical practiceBy attending such programme, patients may learn about cognitive and behavioural factors that contribute to chronic pain and suffering and how alleviation is possible through change of focus and active involvement.
Factors associated with health‐related quality of life among overweight or obese adults
Authors: Wang Jing , Sereika Susan M , Styn Mindi A , Burke Lora E 
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectivesTo identify factors associated with health‐related quality of life among overweight or obese adults.BackgroundThe obesity epidemic presents a global challenge. Obesity is associated with lower health‐related quality of life; however, no study has comprehensively examined correlates of health‐related quality of life in this population.DesignA cross‐sectional design.MethodsThe physical component score, mental component score and eight domain scores of the Short Form‐36 v2 were used to assess health‐related quality of life. We identified 23 possible correlates of health‐related quality of life, including age, body mass index, health and weight histories, perceived stress, cholesterol‐lowering diet self‐efficacy, problem‐solving, binge eating, dietary intake and physical activity. Correlational analyses were used to examine the bivariate associations between correlates and health‐related quality of life variables. All possible subsets regression was used to develop predictive models of health‐related quality of life.ResultsThe sample (n = 210) was predominantly White (84·8%), female (78·1%) and middle‐aged (average age = 46·80 years). Age, body mass index, education, having children at home, and being hypertensive were identified as the best predictors of physical component score, explaining about 9% of the variance. Age, marital status, having hyperlipidaemia, perceived stress, problem‐solving, self‐efficacy, binge eating and barriers to healthy eating predicted mental component score, explaining approximately 48% of the variance. Physical functioning and role physical domains of health‐related quality of life had similar sets of predictors, with 15% and 13% of the variance explained, respectively, while similar predictors were identified for bodily pain (6%), general health (26%), vitality (40%), social functioning (32%), role emotional (42%) and mental health (46%) domains.ConclusionsPsychosocial factors were associated with the mental‐related quality of life. Further exploration of factors related to physical‐related quality of life is warranted in this population.Relevance to clinical practiceWhen working with overweight/obese adults who are trying to lose weight, nurses need to consider socio‐demographic and psychosocial factors in the development of a treatment plan that will improve health‐related quality of life in this population.