bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self management of type 2 diabetes by Maltese immigrants in Australia: can community pharmacies play a supporting role?
Authors: Barbara Sarah , Krass Ines 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to identify issues in diabetes self-management in an Australian Maltese community with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to identify opportunities for community pharmacies to offer self-management support to these populations.

Methods
Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted. A maximum variation sample was recruited from La Vallette Social Centre, Sydney, and interviewed by the investigator. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and iteratively coded into themes by constant comparison using computer software. Cultural predictors of adherence were analysed.

Key findings
Twenty-four participants were interviewed. Themes included diabetes knowledge, self-management behaviours, cultural predictors of adherence and interest in community pharmacy disease management services. Diabetes knowledge was generally limited. Although most participants practised some self-monitoring of blood glucose they lacked knowledge of practice recommendations. Participants generally undertook regular physical activity, though adherence to diet varied according to social influences. Cultural influences on perceptions included attitudes to practitioners, treatment and peer experiences. Enablers included attitudes towards financial independence and social integration while nurturers included family and community support. Participants expressed interest in accessing more support from their community pharmacy due to ease of access and interest in learning more about diabetes.

Conclusions
Patients from different backgrounds experience unique barriers to care, including poor written literacy and limited access to diabetes education, many of which are unrecognised by patients or practitioners. Pharmacists should become more proactive in offering culturally appropriate diabetes self-management support to these populations. Research into pharmacist perspectives of patient issues could identify training needs and guide strategies to improve their cultural competence.
Male infant with a single‐system ectopic ureter that required the removal of the ureteral stump after nephrectomy
Authors: Nishimura Ken‐ichi , Hisamatsu Eiji , Kuwabara Hajime , Nakagawa Yoshikiyo , Sugita Yoshifumi 
Published: December 2012

Abstract: The necessity of removing ureteral stumps after upper tract surgery for ectopic ureters has been debated, because the procedure can be difficult to carry out and might cause injury to bladder continence mechanisms. Fortunately, ureteral stumps rarely cause problems. We herein report the case of a single‐system ectopic ureter that required the removal of the ureteral stump after nephrectomy. In our case, reflux into the ectopic ureter adversely affected the dilation of the ureteral stump. Although urine might flow through an ectopic opening during the voiding phase as a result of high pressure, residual urine might be unable to flow during the storage phase because of low pressure in the ureteral stump. The removal of ureteral stumps might be required in patients with reflux into ectopic ureters. When surgical intervention is necessary for patients with megaureters, cystourethroscopy should be carried out to more accurately clarify the anatomy of the lower urinary tract.
Efficacy of harvest and minimum size limit regulations for controlling short‐term harvest in recreational fisheries
Authors: van Poorten B. T. , Cox S.P. , Cooper A. B. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIt is important to consider the potential effectiveness of regulations for reducing total harvest levels when developing fishery management plans. A random forest (RF) modelling approach was used to examine how changing per‐angler harvest or minimum size limit regulations affected sport fishery harvest in US Atlantic coast recreational fisheries. Harvest limits per angler (i.e. bag limits) were typically high initially and subsequently reduced, whereas almost half of minimum length limits were initially below the length‐at‐maturity and subsequently increased. Across most fisheries examined, extreme reductions in harvest limits (e.g. from unlimited to catch‐and‐release) were largely ineffective at limiting total fishery harvest. Increasingly restrictive minimum length limits caused a greater average harvest reduction than per‐angler harvest limits. Some regulation changes were associated with higher angling effort and thus increased harvest, which suggests that when effort cannot be constrained, more direct harvest limitations should be considered.
Who and What Is a “Population”? Historical Debates, Current Controversies, and Implications for Understanding “Population Health” and Rectifying Health Inequities
Authors: KRIEGER NANCY 
Published: December 2012

Context: The idea of “population” is core to the population sciences but is rarely defined except in statistical terms. Yet who and what defines and makes a population has everything to do with whether population means are meaningful or meaningless, with profound implications for work on population health and health inequities.Methods: In this article, I review the current conventional definitions of, and historical debates over, the meaning(s) of “population,” trace back the contemporary emphasis on populations as statistical rather than substantive entities to Adolphe Quetelet's powerful astronomical metaphor, conceived in the 1830s, ofl’homme moyen(the average man), and argue for an alternative definition of populations as relational beings. As informed by the ecosocial theory of disease distribution, I then analyze several case examples to explore the utility of critical population‐informed thinking for research, knowledge, and policy involving population health and health inequities.Findings: Four propositions emerge: (1) the meaningfulness of means depends on how meaningfully the populations are defined in relation to the inherent intrinsic and extrinsic dynamic generative relationships by which they are constituted; (2) structured chance drives population distributions of health and entails conceptualizing health and disease, including biomarkers, as embodied phenotype and health inequities as historically contingent; (3) persons included in population health research are study participants, and the casual equation of this term with “study population” should be avoided; and (4) the conventional cleavage of “internal validity” and “generalizability” is misleading, since a meaningful choice of study participants must be in relation to the range of exposures experienced (or not) in the real‐world societies, that is, meaningful populations, of which they are a part.Conclusions: To improve conceptual clarity, causal inference, and action to promote health equity, population sciences need to expand and deepen their theorizing about who and what makes populations and their means.
Disclosure, Apology, and Offer Programs: Stakeholders’ Views of Barriers to and Strategies for Broad Implementation
Authors: BELL SIGALL K. , SMULOWITZ PETER B. , WOODWARD ALAN C. , MELLO MICHELLE M. , DUVA ANJALI MITTER , BOOTHMAN RICHARD C. , SANDS KENNETH 
Published: December 2012

Context: The Disclosure, Apology, and Offer (DA&O) model, a response to patient injuries caused by medical care, is an innovative approach receiving national attention for its early success as an alternative to the existing inherently adversarial, inefficient, and inequitable medical liability system. Examples of DA&O programs, however, are few.Methods: Through key informant interviews, we investigated the potential for more widespread implementation of this model by provider organizations and liability insurers, defining barriers to implementation and strategies for overcoming them. Our study focused on Massachusetts, but we also explored themes that are broadly generalizable to other states.Findings: We found strong support for the DA&O model among key stakeholders, who cited its benefits for both the liability system and patient safety. The respondents did not perceive any insurmountable barriers to broad implementation, and they identified strategies that could be pursued relatively quickly. Such solutions would permit a range of organizations to implement the model without legislative hurdles.Conclusions: Although more data are needed about the outcomes of DA&O programs, the model holds considerable promise for transforming the current approach to medical liability and patient safety.
Simulated Patient Studies: An Ethical Analysis
Authors: RHODES KARIN V. , MILLER FRANKLIN G. 
Published: December 2012

Context: In connection with health care reform, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services commissioned a “mystery shopper,” or simulated patient study, to measure access to primary care. But the study was shelved because of public controversy over “government spying” on doctors. Opponents of the study also raised ethical concerns about the use of deception with human subjects without soliciting their informed consent.Methods: We undertook an ethical analysis of the use of simulated patient techniques in health services research, with a particular focus on research measuring access to care. Using a case study, we explored relevant methodological considerations and ethical principles relating to deceptive research without informed consent, as well as U.S. federal regulations permitting exceptions to consent.Findings: Several relevant considerations both favor and oppose soliciting consent for simulated patient studies. Making research participation conditional on informed consent protects the autonomy of research subjects and shields them from unreasonable exposure to research risks. However, scientific validity is also an important ethical principle of human subjects research, as the net risks to subjects must be justified by the value to society of the knowledge to be gained. The use of simulated patients to monitor access is a naturalistic and scientifically sound experimental design that can answer important policy‐relevant questions, with minimal risks to human subjects. As interaction between researchers and subjects increases, however, so does the need for consent.Conclusions: As long as adequate protections of confidentiality of research data are in place, minimally intrusive simulated patient research that gathers policy‐relevant data on the health system without the consent of individuals working in that system can be ethically justified when the risks and burdens to research subjects are minimal and the research has the potential to generate socially valuable knowledge.
National Newspaper Portrayal of U.S. Nursing Homes: Periodic Treatment of Topic and Tone
Authors: MILLER EDWARD ALAN , TYLER DENISE A. , ROZANOVA JULIA , MOR VINCENT 
Published: December 2012

Context: Although observers have long highlighted the relationship of public distrust, government regulation, and media depictions of nursing‐home scandals, no study has systematically analyzed the way in which nursing homes have been portrayed in the national media. This study examines how nursing homes were depicted in four leading national newspapers—the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles Times—from 1999 to 2008.Methods: We used keyword searches of the LexisNexis database to identify 1,704 articles pertaining to nursing homes. We then analyzed the content of each article and assessed its tone, themes, prominence, and central actor. We used basic frequencies and descriptive statistics to examine the articles’ content, both cross‐sectionally and over time.Findings: Approximately one‐third of the articles were published in 1999/2000, and a comparatively high percentage (12.4%) appeared in 2005. Most were news stories (89.8%), and about one‐quarter were on the front page of the newspaper or section. Most focused on government (42.3%) or industry (39.2%) interests, with very few on residents/family (13.3%) and community (5.3%) concerns. Most were negative (45.1%) or neutral (37.0%) in tone, and very few were positive (9.6%) or mixed (8.3%). Common themes were quality (57.0%), financing (33.4%), and negligence/fraud (28.1%). Both tone and themes varied across newspapers and years.Conclusions: Overall, our findings highlight the longitudinal variation in the four widely read newspapers’ framing of nursing‐home coverage, regarding not only tone but also shifts in media attention from one aspect of this complex policy area to another. The predominantly negative media reports contribute to the poor public opinion of nursing homes and, in turn, of the people who live and work in them. These reports also place nursing homes at a competitive disadvantage and may pose challenges to health delivery reform, including care integration across settings.
The Use of Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis for Pediatric Immunization in Developing Countries
Authors: GAUVREAU CINDY LOW , UNGAR WENDY J. , KÖHLER JILLIAN CLARE , ZLOTKIN STANLEY 
Published: December 2012

Context: Developing countries face critical choices for introducing needed, effective, but expensive new vaccines, especially given the accelerated need to decrease the mortality of children under age five and the increased immunization resources available from international donors. Cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) is a tool that decision makers can use for efficiently allocating expanding resources. Its use in developing countries, however, lags behind that in industrialized countries.Methods: We explored how CEA could be made more relevant to immunization policymaking in developing countries by identifying the limitations for using CEA in developing countries and the impact of donor funding on the CEA estimation. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using formal search protocols and hand searching indexed and gray literature sources. We then systematically summarized the application of CEA in industrialized and developing countries through thematic analysis, focusing on pediatric immunization and methodological and contextual issues relevant to developing countries.Findings: Industrialized and developing countries use CEA differently. The use of the Disability‐Adjusted Life Year (DALY) outcome measure and an alternative generalized cost‐effectiveness analysis approach is restricted to developing countries. In pediatric CEAs, the paucity of evaluations and the lack of attention to overcoming the methodological limitations pertinent to children's cognitive and development distinctiveness, such as discounting and preference characterization, means that pediatric interventions may be systematically understudied and undervalued. The ability to generate high‐quality CEA evidence in child health is further threatened by an inadequate consideration of the impact of donor funding (such as GAVI immunization funding) on measurement uncertainty and the determination of opportunity cost.Conclusions: Greater attention to pediatric interventions and donor funding in the conduct of CEA could lead to better policies and thus more worthwhile and good‐value programs to benefit children's health in developing countries.
Perceptual reversals of Necker stimuli during intermittent presentation with limited attentional resources
Authors: Intaitė Monika , Koivisto Mika , Revonsuo Antti 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDuring prolonged viewing of ambiguous stimuli, such as Necker cubes, sudden perceptual reversals occur from one perceptual interpretation to another. The role of attention in such reversals is not clear. We tested whether perceptual reversals depend on attentional resources by manipulating perceptual load and recording event‐related potentials (ERPs) during intermittent presentation of Necker stimuli. The results did not reveal any influence for perceptual load on the frequency of reversals. The ERPs showed that perceptual load influenced electrophysiological activity over parieto‐central areas in the P1 time window (110–140 ms), but load did not modify the early enhancements of positivity (30–140 ms), which correlated with perceptual reversals at occipito‐temporal sites. We conclude that disambiguation of ambiguous figures is based on early mechanisms that can work efficiently with only a minimal amount of attentional resources.
Do Charitable Solicitations Matter? A Comparative Analysis of Fundraising Methods*
Authors: Yörük Bariş K. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe existing literature either treats fundraising as an aggregate variable by ignoring the existence of several different fundraising methods through which charitable contributions are generated or focuses on the effectiveness of a particular fundraising method without making any comparison with alternative methods. Using biennial household surveys of charitable giving in the United States conducted from 1988 to 1999, which contain detailed questions on several fundraising methods, I first document that people are more responsive to certain fundraising methods. Next, I investigate the factors associated with donors' responsiveness to alternative fundraising techniques. The results show that several observable characteristics of charitable donors are associated with some people being more responsive to particular fundraising techniques than others are.
Evaluation of trends in marijuana toxicosis in dogs living in a state with legalized medical marijuana: 125 dogs (2005–2010)
Authors: Meola Stacy D. , Tearney Caitlin C. , Haas Sharlee A. , Hackett Timothy B. , Mazzaferro Elisa M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo report a correlation between the increased number of medical marijuana licenses and marijuana toxicosis in dogs in a state with legalized marijuana for medical use.DesignRetrospective case series from January 1, 2005 to October 1, 2010.SettingPrivate specialty referral hospital and a university teaching hospital.AnimalsA total of 125 client‐owned dogs presenting for known or suspected marijuana toxicosis with or without a urine drug screening test (UDST).InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsDuring the study period, 125 dogs were evaluated including 76 dogs with known marijuana exposure or a positive UDST (group 1), 6 dogs with known marijuana ingestion and a negative UDST (group 2), and 43 dogs with known marijuana ingestion that were not tested (group 3). The incidence of marijuana toxicosis presenting to both hospitals increased 4‐fold, while the number of people registered for medical marijuana in the state increased 146‐fold in the last 5 years. A significant positive correlation was detected between the increase in known/suspected marijuana toxicosis in dogs (groups 1–3) and the increased number of medical marijuana licenses (correlation R coefficient = 0.959, P = 0.002). Two dogs that ingested butter made with medical grade marijuana in baked products died.ConclusionsA significant correlation was found between the number of medical marijuana licenses and marijuana toxicosis cases seen in 2 veterinary hospitals in Colorado. Ingestion of baked goods made with medical grade tetrahydrocannabinol butter resulted in 2 deaths. UDST may be unreliable for the detection of marijuana toxicosis in dogs.
Sonoclot evaluation of whole blood coagulation in healthy adult dogs
Authors: Babski Danielle M. , Brainard Benjamin M. , Krimer Paula M. , Ralph Alan G. , Pittman Jennifer R. , Koenig Amie 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo establish a standard protocol for analysis of canine whole blood and generate reference intervals for healthy dogs using the Sonoclot analyzer, and to compare Sonoclot values to standard and viscoelastic coagulation tests.DesignProspective study.SettingVeterinary University research facility and teaching hospital.AnimalsTwelve healthy random source dogs and 52 healthy dogs from the general veterinary school population. Interventions: Blood sampling for viscoelastic coagulation testing.Measurements and Main ResultsBlood was collected from 12 healthy adult dogs by jugular venipuncture. After a rest period at room temperature of 30, 60, or 120 minutes, 340 μL of citrated blood was added to 20 μL of 0.2 M CaCl2 in 1 of 2 cuvette types warmed to 37° C. Cuvettes contained a magnetic stir‐bar with glass beads (gbACT+) or only a magnetic stir‐bar (nonACT). Reference interval samples were collected from 52 healthy adult dogs and analyzed in duplicate. The ACT, CR, and PF were not affected by duration of rest period for either cuvette type. ACT variability was decreased when using gbACT+ cuvettes (P < 0.05). In normal dogs reference intervals (mean ± 2 SD) using gbACT+ cuvettes were: ACT 56.0–154.0 seconds, CR 14.85–46.0, and PF 2.1–4.05. ACT correlated to TEG R‐time, K‐time, and angle, while CR correlated with all TEG parameters. Fibrinogen correlated with ACT, CR, and PF. Sonoclot did not correlate with other common coagulation tests.ConclusionsSonoclot provides viscoelastic evaluation of canine whole blood coagulation and correlated to several TEG parameters and fibrinogen. A standard protocol and reference intervals were established.
Enhanced Pain Expectation in Migraine:EEG‐Based Evidence for Impaired Prefrontal Function
Authors: Lev Rina , Granovsky Yelena , Yarnitsky David 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundDysexcitability characterizes the interictal migraineous brain. The main central expressions of this dysexcitability are decreased habituation and enhanced anticipation and attention to pain and other external sensory stimuli.ObjectiveThis study evaluates the effects of anticipation on pain modulation and their neural correlates in migraine.MethodsIn 39 migraineurs (20 migraine with aura [MWA] and 19 migraine without aura [MOA]) and 22 healthy controls, cortical responses to 2 successive trains of noxious contact‐heat stimuli, presented in either predicted or unpredicted manner, were analyzed using standardized low‐resolution electromagnetic tomography key.ResultsA lack of habituation to repeated predicted pain was associated with significantly increased pain‐evoked potential amplitudes inMWAs(increase of 3.9 μV) and unchanged ones inMOAs(1.1 μV) but not in controls (decrease of 5 μV). Repeated unpredicted pain resulted in enhanced pain‐evoked potential amplitudes in bothMWAandMOAgroups (increase of 5.5 μVand 4.4 μV, respectively) compared with controls (decrease of 0.2 μV). Source localization revealed reduced activations in the anterior‐medial prefrontal cortices and subsequent increased somatosensory activity in migraineurs (P < .05). The prefrontal‐somatosensory dysfunction positively correlated with lifetime headache duration (P < .05) and concern of upcoming migraine attacks (P < .05) inMWAs, and with frequency of migraine attacks inMOAs(P < .05).ConclusionsOur findings of impaired modulation of anticipated pain in migraine suggest a heightened state of anticipatory readiness combined with ineffective recruitment of prefrontal inhibitory pathways during experience of pain; the latter might account for the former, at least partially. In line, less efficient inhibitory capability is a plausible mechanistic explanation for patients' high concern about their upcoming migraine attacks.