bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological evidence of alterations to the nucleus accumbens and dorsolateral striatum during chronic cocaine self‐administration
Authors: Coffey Kevin R. , Barker David J. , Gayliard Nick , Kulik Julianna M. , Pawlak Anthony P. , Stamos Joshua P. , West Mark O. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAs drug use becomes chronic, aberrant striatal processing contributes to the development of perseverative drug‐taking behaviors. Two particular portions of the striatum, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), are known to undergo neurobiological changes from acute to chronic drug use. However, little is known about the exact progression of changes in functional striatal processing as drug intake persists. We sampled single‐unit activity in the NAc and DLS throughout 24 daily sessions of chronic long‐access cocaine self‐administration, and longitudinally tracked firing rates (FR) specifically during the operant response, an upward vertical head movement. A total of 103 neurons were held longitudinally and immunohistochemically localised to either NAc Medial Shell (n = 29), NAc Core (n = 30), or DLS (n = 54). We modeled changes representative of each category as a whole. Results demonstrated that FRs of DLS Head Movement neurons were significantly increased relative to baseline during all sessions, while FRs of DLS Uncategorised neurons were significantly reduced relative to baseline during all sessions. NAc Shell neurons' FRs were also significantly decreased relative to baseline during all sessions while FRs of NAc Core neurons were reduced relative to baseline only during training days 1–18 but were not significantly reduced on the remaining sessions (19–24). The data suggest that all striatal subregions show changes in FR during the operant response relative to baseline, but longitudinal changes in response firing patterns were observed only in the NAc Core, suggesting that this region is particularly susceptible to plastic changes induced by abused drugs.
Cognitive and affective benefits of combination therapy with galantamine plus cognitive rehabilitation for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tokuchi Ryo , Hishikawa Nozomi , Matsuzono Kosuke , Takao Yoshiki , Wakutani Yosuke , Sato Kota , Kono Syoichiro , Ohta Yasuyuki , Deguchi Kentaro , Yamashita Toru , Abe Koji 
Published: May 2015

AimThe aim of the present study was to compare the effects of a galantamine only therapy and a combination therapy with galantamine plus ambulatory cognitive rehabilitation for Alzheimer's disease patients.MethodsFor this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 86 patients with Alzheimer's disease, dividing them into two groups – a galantamine only group (group G, n = 45) and a combination with galantamine plus ambulatory rehabilitation group (group G + R, n = 41). The present cognitive rehabilitation included a set of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for 1–2 h once or twice a week. We compared the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Frontal Assessment Battery for cognitive assessment, and Geriatric Depression Scale, Apathy Scale, and Abe's Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia score for affective assessment in two groups over 6 months.ResultsThe baseline Mini‐Mental State Examination score was 20.2 and 18.7 in groups G and G + R, respectively. Other baseline data (Frontal Assessment Battery, Geriatric Depression Scale, Apathy Scale, and Abe's Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia) were not different between the two groups. Although group G kept all the scores stable until 6 months of the treatment, the Apathy Scale score showed a significant improvement in group G + R as early as 3 months, followed by the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Frontal Assessment Battery improvements at 6 months (*P = 0.04 and *P = 0.02, respectively). The Geriatric Depression Scale and Abe's Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia did not show any changes.ConclusionThe combination therapy of galantamine plus ambulatory cognitive rehabilitation showed a superior benefit both on cognitive and affective functions than galantamine only therapy in Alzheimer's disease patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 440‐445.
Periodontal status and oral health‐related quality of life in elderly residents of aged care homes in Delhi
Authors: Rekhi Amit , Marya Charu Mohan , Oberoi Sukhvinder Singh , Nagpal Ruchi , Dhingra Chandan , Kataria Sakshi 
Published: May 2015

AimThe aim of the present study was to explore the associations between clinical periodontal findings and oral health‐related quality of life in elderly people residing in the aged care homes of Delhi, India.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was carried out among 500 residents of aged care homes across Delhi. Data were collected by carrying out clinical oral examinations and by filling a self‐administered questionnaire. Oral health‐related quality of life was assessed by a pretested Hindi version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI‐Hi). Periodontal status was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index – CPI, and loss of attachment and tooth mobility was assessed using a modified Miller's index.ResultsOf a total of 500 participants, 221 (44.20%) were men and 279 (55.80%) were women The mean additive score GOHAI score was 41.57 ± 6.07 and the mean number of negative impacts or mean simple count GOHAI score was 6.27 ± 1.54. Mean GOHAI scores were significantly higher among men than women, and were found to be decreasing continuously with the increasing age categories. Tooth mobility and loss of attachment scores were found to be significantly associated with oral health‐related quality of life, whereas Community Periodontal Index scores showed a negative correlation with it.ConclusionThe geriatric population, especially those in aged care homes, is a special need group because of their inability to access dental care rather than some particular feature of their oral or general health The findings of the present study point to a need to improve access to oral healthcare for this elderly population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 474‐480.
Predictive factors for oral intake after aspiration pneumonia in older adults
Authors: Momosaki Ryo , Yasunaga Hideo , Matsui Hiroki , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Fushimi Kiyohide , Abo Masahiro 
Published: May 2015

AimThe purpose of the present study was to clarify the predictive factors for achieving oral intake after aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients.MethodsThis retrospective observational study used data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database. We identified patients who were admitted to acute‐care hospitals with aspiration pneumonia. The outcome was time to achieve total oral intake. We carried out Cox regression analysis to identify predictors for the early initiation of total oral intake.ResultsOf 66 611 elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia, 59% achieved total oral intake within 30 days. Cox regression analysis showed that early initiation of total oral intake was associated with female sex and higher Barthel Index. Delayed initiation of total oral intake was associated with underweight, higher scores of pneumonia severity and comorbidities.ConclusionWe clarified prognostic factors for total oral intake in elderly aspiration pneumonia patients. Our findings will be helpful in nutritional care planning for elderly aspiration pneumonia patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 556–560.
Unmeasured costs of haemophilia: the economic burden on families with children with haemophilia
Authors: Price V. E. , Hawes S. A. , Bouchard A. , Vaughan A. , Jarock C. , Kuhle S. 
Published: May 2015

Introduction and objectivesAlthough economic evaluations of haemophilia‐related care have highlighted both the health care payer and societal perspectives, the costs to families with children with haemophilia have not been examined. This study determined the costs incurred by families of children with haemophilia, attending a haemophilia treatment centre (HTC), servicing a large geographical area in Eastern Canada.MethodsFamilies recorded all direct and indirect costs associated with haemophilia‐related care for a year. Costs incurred to receive care at the HTC and local health care centres were compared. The relationship between distance to the HTC and costs was modelled using linear regression.ResultsParticipants included 31/45 children (68%) from 27 families attending the HTC. Median age was 12 years (range: 0.5–17 years); 24/31 (77%) had severe haemophilia. The median distance to the HTC and local health care facility was 230 km (range: 7–600 km) and 33.5 km (range: 2–400 km) respectively. Due to this difference in distance, 23/31 (74%) children do not attend the HTC for management of acute haemorrhage. The median annual total cost per family to attend the HTC is $775.93 (range: $200.00–$5741.00). The total cost to attend the HTC increases by $2.16 (95% CI 1.24–3.9) per kilometer from the HTC. The median total annual cost of haemophilia‐related care per family is $1222.50 (range: $396.00–$8037.00).ConclusionFamilies incur high costs related to haemophilia care. The distance to the HTC is a barrier to care. Improving access to HTCs is paramount in improving haemophilia‐related outcomes.
Effects of La2O3 on Crystallization, Microstructure, and Properties of MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐TiO2‐La2O3 Glass–ceramics
Authors: Wang Hui‐Juan , Li Bo‐Tao , Lin Hui‐Xing , Chen Wei , Luo Lan 
Published: May 2015

A new glass–ceramic material with dielectric constant εr~10–11 and optimum quality factor Q × f~22,900 GHz was fabricated from 1MgO‐1.2Al2O3‐2.8SiO2‐1.2TiO2‐xLa2O3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) system, and the effects of La2O3 on crystallization, microstructure, and dielectric properties of the material were investigated. The results show that the main crystalline phases in the glass–ceramics are lanthana‐based perrierite, rutile, and cordierite. As the content of La2O3 increases, the formation of perrierite is promoted, while that for rutile and cordierite is suppressed. Meanwhile, a gradual homogenization in the microstructure has been observed. Specifically, the interconnected network, the formation of which is mainly due to the aggregation of perrierite, disintegrates with the increase of x from 0.1 to 0.3 and is hardly seen when x = 0.4, finally resulting in a homogeneous microstructure with an overall uniform distribution of the phases and crystalline size. With higher content of La2O3, the dielectric constant of the material goes up slightly from 10 to 11, while the quality factor rises significantly from 12,500 GHz to 22,900 GHz. The variations of the dielectric properties are believed to be appreciably associated with the relative content of the phases present and the more homogeneous microstructure.
Childcare use and overweight in Finland: cross‐sectional and retrospective associations among 3‐ and 5‐year‐old children
Authors: Lehto R. , Mäki P. , Ray C. , Laatikainen T. , Roos E. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryBackgroundDifferent types of non‐parental childcare have been found to associate with childhood overweight in several, but not all studies. Studies on the matter are mainly North American.ObjectivesThe objective of our study was to examine associations between childcare use and overweight in Finland.MethodsThe cross‐sectional and partly retrospective data consists of 1683 3‐ and 5‐year‐old children participating in the Child Health Monitoring Development project (LATE‐project) conducted in 2007–2009 in Finland. Children were measured at health check‐ups and information on child's age when entering childcare, the number of childcare places the child has had, current type of childcare (parental, informal, [group] family childcare, childcare centre) and the current amount of childcare (hours) were gathered. Parents' body mass indices, family educational level, family structure, maternal smoking during pregnancy and child's birth weight were treated as covariates.ResultsBeginning childcare before age 1 (adjusted model: odds ratio [OR] 2.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–4.52) and, for girls only, number of childcare places (adjusted model: OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11–1.60), were associated with an increased risk of overweight. The current type of childcare or the time currently spent in childcare was not associated with overweight.ConclusionBeginning childcare before age 1, which is quite rare in Finland, and having attended several childcare places were associated with overweight even when adjusting for family socioeconomic status and other family background variables. The significance of these findings needs to be further studied.
Survey of infection control and antimicrobial stewardship practices in Australian residential aged‐care facilities
Authors: Stuart R. L. , Marshall C. , Orr E. , Bennett N. , Athan E. , Friedman D. , Reilly M. ,   Members of RACRIG (Residential Aged Care Research Interest Group)
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis study assessed infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices in Australian residential aged‐care facilities (RACF). Two hundred and sixty‐five surveys (15.6%) were completed with all states represented and the majority (177 (67.3%)) privately run. Only 30.6% RACF had infection control trained staff on site. Few facilities had AMS policies, only 14% had antimicrobial prescribing restrictions. Most facilities offered vaccination to residents (influenza vaccination rates >75% in 73% of facilities), but pneumococcal vaccination was poor.
Hot Corrosion of Stabilized Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coatings and the Role of Mg Inhibitor
Authors: Bajpai Preeti , Das Amit , Bhattacharya Prajina , Madayi Shimjith , Kulkarni Kaustubh , Omar Shobit 
Published: May 2015

The 3–4 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is widely used as a material for thermal barrier coating; however, the corrosive constituents present in fuel typically result in mechanical disintegration of YSZ coatings. The 3–4 mol% YSZ coatings with respective porosity of ~3% and ~22% have been undertaken with the objective to compare the hot corrosion behavior in air and sulfur‐rich atmospheres. The coatings are kept in contact with V2O5 + MgO powder mixture at 750°C for different dwell times of 24 and 76 h. The samples kept in air have shown intact YSZ layer for both the coatings, whereas a delamination of YSZ layer is observed for high porosity sample kept in sulfur‐rich atmosphere. XRD patterns of all the samples treated in sulfur‐rich atmosphere have indicated a phase transformation in YSZ from tetragonal to monoclinic. However, no such phase transformation has been found for samples treated in air. The V2O5‐induced hot corrosion attack on YSZ coating in air has been successfully inhibited by MgO, which forms a thermally stable Mg3V2O8 compound. However, in sulfur‐rich atmosphere, MgO is partially consumed to form sulfates, which allows certain fraction of V2O5 to react with Y2O3 causing the degradation of top coat.
Assessment based on Serious Gaming Interactive Questions (SGIQ)
Authors: Šimić G. , Jevremović A. , Kostić Z. , Ðorđević D. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe case study presented in this paper describes the pedagogical aspects and collected experience in using e‐learning tool named IPA‐PBL. Improving assessments in the preparation for AMET's (Air Medical Evacuation and Transport) complex task of transfer of injured or sick patients from the place of accident to the hospital or between hospitals represents the main motive for developing this tool. In IPA‐PBL, the problem‐based learning is applied as a pedagogical strategy as well as a set of concrete methods implemented in the software. Together with the pedagogical model, specific domain ontology is designed. This way, the learner's knowledge can be analysed in order to collect the data necessary for dynamical adaptation of system behaviour. The results collected during the exploitation of IPA‐PBL are compared without using the system. Statistical analysis as well as considerations and conclusions about them are also presented in the paper. The predominant number of trainees who participated in the survey expressed positive attitudes about the new interactive type of questions. Therefore, it is considered to extend using such questions not only in assessments but in other parts of the training process.
The Political Economy of Borders in a 'Borderless' European Labour Market
Authors: Wagner Ines 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe reconfiguration of political space lies at the heart of the European project and is the subject of manifold studies on the new shape of the European Union, but relatively little attention has been paid to the ways in which borders are de‐ and reconstructed in a pan‐European labour market. In a pan‐European labour market, state borders shift. Postings made via subcontractors and agencies providing temporary workers also rearrange the borders of the firm. However, we know very little about how these bordering practices interact within the pan‐European labour market. This study argues that while borders have become porous, their porousness is one‐directional, in the sense that it is in favour of capital but impacts negatively on labour rights. In developing a framework for understanding the relationship between changes in sovereign borders and changes in employment relations in the EU, this article integrates insights from international relations, political economy and border research.
Priority setting for resources to improve the understanding of information about claims of treatment effects in the mass media
Authors: Semakula Daniel , Nsangi Allen , Oxman Andrew D. , Sewankambo Nelson K. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveClaims about benefits and harms of treatments are common in the media. We engaged health journalists in prioritizing concepts of evidence‐based medicine that we believe the public needs to understand to be able to assess claims about treatment effects; and which could improve how journalists report such information.MethodsWe conducted a three‐day workshop with a group of Ugandan journalists in which we presented and explained the concepts. We asked journalists to prioritize groups of related concepts using four pre‐specified criteria i.e. relevance of the concepts to journalists and their audiences; ease of comprehension; feasibility of developing resources for teaching the concepts and, whether such resources would potentially have an impact. Using a modified Delphi technique, participants ranked each group of concepts using these criteria on a scale of one to six (one = lowest; 6 = highest). We analyzed the rankings in real time using STATA statistical software.ResultsAll six groups of concepts were considered relevant and comprehensible with scores of five and six on a scale of one to six. Twenty two out of 25 participants reported having understood the concepts well, with subjective scores of above 75 on a scale of one to 100.ConclusionJournalists in Uganda recognize the importance of evidence‐based medicine concepts in assessing claims about benefits and harms of treatments to them and their audiences. They should be empowered to use these and similar concepts in order to improve how information about effects of treatments is relayed in the media.
Virulence assay of rhizoid and non‐rhizoid morphotypes of Flavobacterium columnare in red tilapia, Oreochromis sp., fry
Authors: Dong H T , Senapin S , LaFrentz B , Rodkhum C 
Published: May 2015

AbstractNumerous isolates of Flavobacterium columnare were previously recovered from red tilapia, Oreochromis sp., exhibiting columnaris‐like disease in Thai farms, and the phenotypic and genetic characteristics were described. The objective of this study was to determine the virulence of two morphotypes (rhizoid and non‐rhizoid colonies) of F. columnare and to determine their ability to adhere to and persist in red tilapia fry. The results showed that the typical rhizoid isolate (CUVET1214) was a highly virulent isolate and caused 100% mortality within 24 h following bath challenge of red tilapia with three different doses. The non‐rhizoid isolate (CUVET1201) was avirulent to red tilapia fry. Both morphotypes adhered to and persisted in tilapia similarly at 0.5 and 6 h post‐challenge as determined by whole fish bacterial loads. At 24 and 48 h post‐challenge, fry challenged with the rhizoid morphotype exhibited significantly higher bacterial loads than the non‐rhizoid morphotype. The results suggested that an inability of the non‐rhizoid morphotype to persist in tilapia fry may explain lack of virulence.
A Real‐World Study of the Effect of Timing of Insulin Initiation on Outcomes in Older Medicare Beneficiaries with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Bhattacharya Rituparna , Zhou Steve , Wei Wenhui , Ajmera Mayank , Sambamoorthi Usha 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesTo compare clinical and economic outcomes of early insulin initiation with those of delayed initiation in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingHumana Medicare Advantage health insurance plan.ParticipantsOlder (≥65) Medicare beneficiaries with T2DM.MeasurementsSubjects were grouped according to number of classes of oral antidiabetes drugs (OADs) they had taken before initiation of insulin: one (early insulin initiators), two, or three or more (delayed insulin initiators). One‐year follow‐up outcomes included change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), percentage of older adults with HbA1c less than 8.0%, hypoglycemic events, and total healthcare costs.ResultsOverall, 14,669 individuals were included in the analysis. Baseline and 1‐year follow‐up HbA1c levels were available for 4,028 (27.5%) individuals. Insulin was initiated early in 32% and delayed in 20%. At follow‐up, unadjusted reduction in HbA1c was 0.9 ± 3.7% for the group with one OAD, 0.7 ± 2.4% for those with two, and 0.5 ± 3.6% for those with three or more. Early insulin initiation was associated with significantly greater reduction in HbA1c (0.4%; adjusted P <.001), 30% greater likelihood of achieving HbA1c less than 8.0% (adjusted odds ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval = 1.18–1.43), and no significant differences in total costs or hypoglycemia events (11.5% of early initiators vs 10.2% of delayed initiators; P = .32).ConclusionThis study suggests beneficial effects of early insulin initiation in older adults with T2DM who do not have adequate glycemic control, without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or greater total direct healthcare costs.