bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalences of skin diseases among primary schoolchildren in Damietta, Egypt
Authors: El‐Khateeb Ekramy A. , Lotfi Ranya A. , Abdel‐Aziz Khaled M. , El‐Shiekh Suzan E. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectivesInformation on prevalences of pediatric dermatoses in Egypt is scanty. This study aimed to supplement existing data.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in Damietta, Egypt between October 2011 and March 2012. It involved 6162 pupils randomly selected from 30 primary schools. The sample was equally divided (3081 pupils/15 schools) between urban and rural areas. Each participant was interviewed for age, gender, residence and complaint. Hygiene status was evaluated and a clinical examination was carried out for skin diseases. Data were coded and analyzed.ResultsAlthough most children revealed more than one dermatosis, the majority (76.2%) had not complained of disease. The most common disease group included benign neoplasms (87.0%), followed by pigmentary disorders (68.3%), infections (50.9%), adnexal disorders (14.1%), hypersensitivity diseases (14.0%), genodermatoses (0.3%) and papulosquamous diseases (0.2%). The most common subgroup of diseases comprised parasitic infections (47.5%), among which pediculosis prevailed (47.5%), followed by dermatitis (10.0%) in which pityriasis alba dominated (6.0%), followed by hair disorders (9.3%), bacterial infections (5.9%), urticaria (4.4%), sebaceous gland disorders (2.7%), sweat gland disorders (2.3%), viral infections (1.6%) and fungal infections (0.7%). The most commonly found diseases included, in descending order, acquired melanocytic nevus, post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation, pediculosis, leukoderma, café au lait spots, atrophic scar, cicatricial alopecia, hypertrophic scar, pityriasis alba, papular urticaria, xerosis and impetigo.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of skin diseases, especially of trauma‐related disorders and infections, may be mainly attributable to a lack of appropriate health awareness and care, which has created a tendency within the population to adapt without complaining or seeking medical help. Such circumstances, unfortunately, have resulted in a growing community of silent patients.
Impact of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2% in obligate β‐thalassemia heterozygotes
Authors: Sharma P. , Das R. , Trehan A. , Bansal D. , Chhabra S. , Kaur J. , Marwaha R. K. , Varma N. , Garewal G. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryIntroductionThe potential impact of concomitant iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2 (HbA2)‐based identification of β‐thalassemia trait (βTT) is a worrisome issue for screening laboratories. This is especially true for resource‐constrained settings where iron deficiency is widespread and molecular confirmatory tests for borderline low HbA2 values may be unavailable.MethodsObligate βTT carrier individuals (n = 752) were identified during screening studies on the parents of thalassemia major patients. HbA2%, complete blood counts and serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation were studied. Iron‐deficient individuals (n = 135) with normal range HbA2% were taken as controls.ResultsConcomitant iron deficiency (defined as ferritin ≤15 ng/mL and/or transferrin saturation ≤15%) was present in 20.7% (156/752) βTT cases, that is, 33.3% females (122/366) and 8.8% males with βTT (34/386). Mean HbA2 in iron‐replete βTT was 5.4 ± 0.8 (range 3.1–7.9) and in iron‐deficient βTT was 5.4 ± 0.9 (range 3.3–7.6). HbA2 < 4.0% was found in 23/752 (3.1%) βTT: 13/595 iron‐replete (2.2%) and 10/157 (6.4%) iron‐deficient βTT individuals. However, five of the 10 iron‐deficient βTT cases carried the silent CAP+1 (A>C) β‐thalassemia allele accounting for the borderline HbA2%. On a separate analysis, all five severely anemic βTT (Hb < 80 g/L) and 16/17 βTT with severe hypoferritinemia (<5 ng/mL) had HbA2 > 4.5%. The single case with serum ferritin 4.8 ng/mL and HbA2 3.3% showed a CAP+1 (A>C) mutation.ConclusionsIron deficiency was prevalent among north Indian βTT individuals, especially women. After adjusting for other causes of low HbA2 in βTT, iron deficiency, even when very severe, was very unlikely to interfere significantly with HbA2‐based identification of βTT.
Medicine's inconvenient truth: the placebo and nocebo effect
Authors: Arnold M. H. , Finniss D. G. , Kerridge I. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPlacebo and nocebo effects are often regarded by clinicians as either a quaint reminiscence from the pre‐therapeutic era, or simply as a technique for establishing the efficacy of therapeutic interventions within the locus of evidence‐based practice. However, neither of these explanations sufficiently account for their complexity or their persistence and impact in clinical medicine. Placebo and nocebo effects are embedded in the very fabric of therapeutic relationships and are both a manifestation and outcome of the rituals that characterise clinical practice. They are also a stark reminder of the many personal and environmental factors, including the attitudes, beliefs and expectations of both doctor and patient, that shape the outcomes of health professional‐patient interactions.We describe how recent biological and neuropsychiatric data have clarified the operation of placebo and nocebo effects in clinical practice – demonstrating the ability of the therapeutic context to modulate endogenous biological processes in a targeted manner. This, in turn, illustrates the potent philosophical and sociocultural aspects of medical praxis.
Cardiovascular disease in human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Cheruvu S. , Holloway C. J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWith widespread access to high‐quality medical care as in Australia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is now considered a chronic, treatable condition, with a good life expectancy. The use of combined highly active antiretroviral therapy has enabled effective suppression of the virus, but has also been associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. Over representation of traditional cardiac risk factors, such as hyperlipidaemia and diabetes, as well as an increased incidence of ischaemic and non‐ischaemic heart disease is now considered a major concern of treatment with antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, a contemporary management strategy for patients with HIV must include active prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk. This review will outline the complex interplay between HIV infection, antiretroviral drug regimens and accelerated cardiovascular disease, with a particular focus on screening, prevention and treatment options in a contemporary Australian HIV population.
Water Harvesting for Improved Water Productivity in Dry Environments of the Mediterranean Region Case study: Pistachio in Turkey
Authors: Yazar A. , Kuzucu M. , Çelik I. , Sezen S. M. , Jacobsen S.‐E. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLow rainfall, water scarcity and land degradation severely intimidate the production capacities of the rangelands in the arid environments. Water harvesting focuses on improving the productive use of rainwater on the local scale (field to subcatchment scale) before the runoff water leaves the geographical unit in question. The aim is to mitigate the effects of temporal water shortages to cover both domestic and agricultural needs. This paper provides a review on water harvesting techniques focusing on microcatchment methods, and information on performance of a small‐basin water harvesting system (negarim) under a typical arid environment in Turkey as a case study. In the negarim case study, we analysed rainfall, runoff, catchment area, soil water storage and crop evapotranspiration. The microcatchment area (36 m2) included five surface treatment methods (natural, plastic cover, stone cover, hay cover and compaction), which were studied in a pistachio plantation by monitoring soil water balance in the root zone. The overall efficiency of the water harvesting system was determined as the ratio of the amount of water stored and used by the crop to the amount of rainfall received in the catchment area. It was demonstrated that the overall efficiency of the system varied from 2.9 % to 79 % depending on the surface treatments and the root zone capacity. Plastic cover had the greatest efficiency. Gains in runoff improvement were lost when the soil moisture in the cultivated area was near field capacity. Surface treatments had a significant effect on plant height and stem diameter. Plant height with different treatments was 158 cm with plastic cover, 128 cm with surface compaction, 121 cm with hay cover, 117 cm with stone cover and 102 cm of control. Among the surface treatments, plastic cover was superior to the other treatments on plant growth, but the use of plastic may cause environmental problems.
Exploring the combined role of eustasy and oceanic island thermal subsidence in shaping biodiversity on the Galápagos
Authors: Ali Jason R. , Aitchison Jonathan C. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimWe constructed a series of high‐resolution palaeogeographical models for the Galápagos archipelago for the last 700 kyr, accommodating thermal subsidence of the islands, eustatic sea‐level change, and associated sea‐floor loading. We assessed the possible impacts of these changes for the terrestrial fauna.LocationThe Galápagos Islands.MethodsPalaeogeographical modelling and evaluation of biogeographical distributions.ResultsSince 700 ka, sea levels broadly similar to those today isolated the various Galápagos islands for intervals of c. 90 kyr. Intervening 5–10 kyr periods of extreme lowstands in sea level (−140 to −210 m) dramatically changed the central and western archipelago, with several large islands, plus their satellites, coalescing. During the several connection episodes the land‐locked vertebrates had significant or complete access to all of the newly exposed terrain. Analysis of the biological data suggests that these physical processes left detectable imprints on the biogeography of groups including racer snakes, lava lizards, land iguanas and leaf‐toed geckos.Main conclusionsIn the recent geological past, a sizeable region within the Galápagos chain must have experienced rapid, significant changes in its geography as a result of major shifts in local relative sea level periodically connecting and then isolating islands. This might explain striking patterns in the distribution and composition of the archipelago's land fauna. These insights provide a platform for future studies predicting the ages of subpopulation separations, which should correspond to the sea‐level rises that followed each of the lows. The oscillating geography mechanism described herein may provide a new lens to view biological evolution on a number of other island chains, including the Maldives, the Canaries and Cape Verde.
The influence of the complex topography and dynamic history of the montane Neotropics on the evolutionary differentiation of a cloud forest bird (Premnoplex brunnescens, Furnariidae)
Authors: Valderrama Eugenio , Pérez‐Emán Jorge L. , Brumfield Robb T. , Cuervo Andrés M. , Cadena Carlos Daniel 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo examine the effect of geographical barriers and habitat dynamics related to climatic oscillations on the phylogeography of a widespread passerine of Neotropical cloud forests, the spotted barbtail (Premnoplex brunnescens).LocationNeotropical humid forests of montane areas in lower Central America and South America.MethodsWe sequenced two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear intron from specimens collected across the distribution of P. brunnescens. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood methods. Groups with maximum differentiation were estimated with spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA). We estimated timing of differentiation and relationships among groups with a species‐tree approach and historical demography with extended Bayesian skyline plots.ResultsSix highly differentiated clades of P. brunnescens are distributed in lower Central America, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, northern Venezuelan mountains, the Northern Andes, central Peru, and southern Peru and Bolivia. Within the Northern Andes clade, six phylogroups were identified associated with different slopes and isolated cordilleras. Most clades occupy opposite sides of low‐lying valleys and ridgelines, but little differentiation was observed across several putative barriers. Population divergence occurred in the late Miocene and Pliocene, perhaps in association with Andean uplift. Historical fluctuations in population sizes suggest that populations tracked the spatial dynamics of montane forests associated with glacial cycles.Main conclusionsExtensive genetic differentiation in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA exists among populations of P. brunnescens. Such marked divergence was probably promoted by the rugged topography and dynamic ecological history of the Neotropical mountains. Our study sheds light on mechanisms promoting population differentiation in the montane Neotropics.
Resin Bond to Indirect Composite and New Ceramic/Polymer Materials: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Spitznagel Frank A. , Horvath Sebastian D. , Guess Petra C. , Blatz Markus B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractStatement of the ProblemResin bonding is essential for clinical longevity of indirect restorations. Especially in light of the increasing popularity of computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing‐fabricated indirect restorations, there is a need to assess optimal bonding protocols for new ceramic/polymer materials and indirect composites.Purpose of the StudyThe aim of this article was to review and assess the current scientific evidence on the resin bond to indirect composite and new ceramic/polymer materials.Materials and MethodsAn electronicPubMed database search was conducted from 1966 toSeptember 2013 for in vitro studies pertaining the resin bond to indirect composite and new ceramic/polymer materials.ResultsThe search revealed 198 titles. Full‐text screening was carried out for 43 studies, yielding 18 relevant articles that complied with inclusion criteria. No relevant studies could be identified regarding new ceramic/polymer materials. Most common surface treatments are aluminum‐oxide air‐abrasion, silane treatment, and hydrofluoric acid‐etching for indirect composite restoration. Self‐adhesive cements achieve lower bond strengths in comparison with etch‐and‐rinse systems. Thermocycling has a greater impact on bonding behavior than water storage.ConclusionsAir‐particle abrasion and additional silane treatment should be applied to enhance the resin bond to laboratory‐processed composites. However, there is an urgent need for in vitro studies that evaluate the bond strength to new ceramic/polymer materials.Clinical SignificanceThis article reviews the available dental literature on resin bond of laboratory composites and gives scientifically based guidance for their successful placement. Furthermore, this review demonstrated that future research for new ceramic/polymer materials is required.
Esthetic Treatment of a Diffuse Amelogenesis Imperfecta Using Pressed Lithium Disilicate and Feldspathic Ceramic Restorations: 5‐Year Follow Up
Authors: Savi Andrea , Turillazzi Oliviero , Crescini Aldo , Manfredi Maddalena 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe treatment of a diffuse and severe case of amelogenesis imperfecta represents a challenge for the dental team and in particular for the dentist who perform the prosthetic restorations.Clinical ConsiderationsThe enamel alterations, which are characteristic of the disease, determine different problems that need to be carefully planned and solved before the beginning of the treatment, with particular regard to the materials used to perform the restorations. In order to create the best conditions to perform the prosthetic restoration, the treatment plan should be multidisciplinary. In addition, the young age of the patients usually affected by the disease imposes a very conservative and cautious approach. The main goals of the therapy are represented by the need to protect the occlusal dental surfaces from the abrasion and provide a satisfactory esthetic result. In particular, dental abrasions if not treated may determine the loss of the vertical dimension as well as a diffuse and marked dentinal hypersensitivity.ConclusionsA correct treatment plan and the use of the new adhesive ceramic materials made it possible to obtain good results both from a functional and esthetic point of view with a much more conservative approach compared with the traditional one.Clinical SignificanceThis clinical report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of an adult female patient with a diffuse amelogenesis imperfecta using feldspathic ceramics for the esthetic regions and monolithic lithium disilicate material for the posterior areas.
Regional flood frequency analysis forÇoruhBasin ofTurkey withL‐moments approach
Authors: Aydoğan D. , Kankal M. , Önsoy H. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn this paper, a regional flood frequency analysis ofÇoruh Basin was performed with theL‐moments method. Because the area ofÇoruh Basin is large (21 100 km2), and the climatic, hydrologic, and topographic characteristics vary throughout the basin, it was divided into four sub‐regions for examination. Discordancy measure tests were performed for the sites located in each sub‐region. TheHheterogeneity test was carried out by performing 500 simulations with theKappa probability distribution for the homogeneity of the region. With the help of a diagram of theL‐moment ratios and by administering theZgoodness‐of‐fit measure test, the appropriate distribution was determined for each sub‐region. The distributions were used to identify the quintiles according to various probabilities of non‐exceedance. The accuracies of the estimated measured for the regional growth curves and quantiles were calculated usingMonteCarlo simulation. Finally, the flow values determined from the quantiles estimated with theL‐moments method were compared with those estimated previously with an at‐site frequency analysis (Gumbel distribution) on the basin master plan for four large dams in theÇoruhBasin.
Multi‐Ethnic Minority Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice of Genetics and Genomics
Authors: Coleman Bernice , Calzone Kathleen A. , Jenkins Jean , Paniagua Carmen , Rivera Reynaldo , Hong Oi Saeng , Spruill Ida , Bonham Vence 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurposeExploratory studies establishing how well nurses have integrated genomics into practice have demonstrated there remains opportunity for education. However, little is known about educational gaps in multi‐ethnic minority nurse populations. The purpose of this study was to determine minority nurses’ beliefs, practices, and competency in integrating genetics‐genomics information into practice using an online survey tool.DesignA cross‐sectional survey with registered nurses (RNs) from the participating National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Organizations (NCEMNA). Two phases were used: Phase one had a sample of 27 nurses who determined the feasibility of an online approach to survey completion and need for tool revision. Phase two was a main survey with 389 participants who completed the revised survey. The survey ascertained the genomic knowledge, beliefs, and practice of a sample of multi‐ethnic minority nurses who were members of associations comprising the NCEMNA.MethodsThe survey was administered online. Descriptive survey responses were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Categorical responses in which comparisons were analyzed used chi square tests.FindingsAbout 40% of the respondents held a master's degree (39%) and 42% worked in direct patient care. The majority of respondents (79%) reported that education in genomics was important. Ninety‐five percent agreed or strongly agreed that family health history could identify at‐risk families, 85% reported knowing how to complete a second‐ and third‐generation family history, and 63% felt family history was important to nursing. Conversely, 50% of the respondents felt that their understanding of the genetics of common disease was fair or poor, supported by 54% incorrectly reporting they thought heart disease and diabetes are caused by a single gene variant. Only 30% reported taking a genetics course since licensure, and 94% reported interest in learning more about genomics. Eighty‐four percent believed that their ethnic minority nurses’ organizations should have a visible role in genetics and genomics in their communities.ConclusionsMost respondents felt genomics is important to integrate into practice but demonstrated knowledge deficits. There was strong interest in the need for continuing education and the role of the ethnic minority organizations in facilitating the continuing education efforts. This study provides evidence of the need for targeted genomic education to prepare ethnic minority nurses to better translate genetics and genomics into practice.Clinical RelevanceGenomics is critical to the practice of all nurses, most especially family health history assessment and the genomics of common complex diseases. There is a great opportunity and interest to address the genetic‐genomic knowledge deficits in the nursing workforce as a strategy to impact patient outcomes.
Impact of a Smoking Cessation Educational Program on Nurses’ Interventions
Authors: Sarna Linda P. , Bialous Stella Aguinaga , Kraliková Eva , Kmetova Alexandra , Felbrová Vladislava , Kulovaná Stanislava , Malá Katerina , Roubicková Eva , Wells Marjorie J. , Brook Jenny K. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate a brief educational program about smoking cessation on the frequency of nurses’ interventions with smokers, and impact of nurses’ smoking status on outcomes.DesignProspective, single group design with prestudy and 3 months post‐study data.MethodsNurses in the Czech Republic attended hospital‐based 1‐hr educational programs about helping smokers quit. They completed surveys about the frequency (i.e., always, usually, sometimes, rarely, never) of their smoking cessation interventions with patients using the five A's framework (i.e., ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange), and their attitudes prior to and 3 months after the course. Demographic data included smoking status.FindingsAmong the 98 nurses with prestudy and post‐study data, all were female, mean age was 43 years, 33% were current smokers, and 64% worked in a medical or surgical or oncology settings. At 3 months, compared to baseline, significantly (p < .05) more nurses assessed patients’ interest in quitting, assisted with quit attempts, and recommended the use of the quitline for cessation. At 3 months after the program, nurses who smoked were less likely to ask about smoking status (odds ratio [OR] = 4.24, 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.71, 10.53]), advise smokers to quit (OR = 3.03, 95% CI [1.24,7.45]), and refer patients to a quitline (OR = 2.92, 95% CI [0.99, 8.63]) compared to nonsmokers, despite no differences in delivery of interventions at baseline.ConclusionsThree months after attendance at an educational program focused on the nurses’ role in supporting smoking cessation efforts, more nurses engaged in interventions to help smokers quit. However, the program was less effective for nurses who smoked.Clinical RelevanceThis program demonstrated promise in building capacity among Czech nurses to assist with smoking cessation, but nurses’ smoking poses a challenge.