bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender Abuse, Depressive Symptoms, and HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Male-to-Female Transgender Persons: A Three-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Nuttbrock Larry , Bockting Walter , Rosenblum Andrew , Hwahng Sel , Mason Mona , Macri Monica , Becker Jeffrey 
Published: June 2012

Objectives. We examined gender abuse and depressive symptoms as risk factors for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (HIV/STI) among male-to-female transgender persons (MTFs). Methods. We conducted a 3-year prospective study of factors associated with incident HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, chlamydia, and gonorrhea among 230 MTFs from the New York Metropolitan Area. Statistical techniques included Cox proportional hazards analysis with time varying covariates. Results. Among younger MTFs (aged 19–30 years), gender abuse predicted depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression score ≥ 20), and gender abuse combined with depressive symptoms predicted both high-risk sexual behavior (unprotected receptive anal intercourse) and incident HIV/STI. These associations were independent of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, hormone therapy, and sexual reassignment surgery. Conclusions. Gender abuse is a fundamental distal risk factor for HIV/STI among younger MTFs. Interventions for younger MTFs are needed to reduce the psychological impact of gender abuse and limit the effects of this abuse on high-risk sexual behavior. Age differences in the impact of gender abuse on HIV/STI suggest the efficacy of peer-based interventions in which older MTFs teach their younger counterparts how to cope with this abuse.
Disparities in Fetal Death and First Day Death: The Influence of Risk Factors in 2 Time Periods
Authors: Wingate Martha S. , Barfield Wanda D. , Petrini Joann , Ruben Smith  
Published: June 2012

Objectives. We examined how changes in risk factors over time influence fetal, first day, and combined fetal–first day mortality and subsequent racial/ethnic disparities. Methods. We selected deliveries to US resident non-Hispanic White and Black mothers from the linked live birth–infant death cohort and fetal deaths files (1995–1996; 2001–2002) and calculated changes over time of mortality rates, odds, and relative odds ratios (RORs) overall and among mothers with modifiable risk factors (smoking, diabetes, or hypertensive disorders). Results. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for fetal mortality overall (AOR = 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.96, 1.01) and among Blacks (AOR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.93, 1.03) indicated no change over time. Among women with modifiable risk factors, the RORs indicated no change in disparities. The ROR was not significant for fetal mortality (ROR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.83, 1.01) among smokers, but there was evidence of some decline. There was evidence of increase in RORs in fetal death among mothers with diabetes and hypertensive disorders, but differences were not significant. Conclusions. Disparities in fetal, first day, and combined fetal–first day mortality have persisted and reflect discrepancies in care provision or other factors more challenging to measure.
Educating Health Care Professionals in Advocacy for Childhood Obesity Prevention in Their Communities: Integrating Public Health and Primary Care in the Be Our Voice Project
Authors: McPherson Marianne E. , Mirkin Rachelle , Heatherley Priya Nair , Homer Charles J. 
Published: June 2012

Objectives. We assessed the perceived need for and the effectiveness of the Be Our Voice advocacy training. In this training, health care professionals learned public health strategies to advocate for environmental systems changes to prevent childhood obesity in their communities. Methods. We assessed 13 trainings across 8 pilot sites. We conducted 2 rounds of surveys with participants—pre-training (n = 287, 84% response rate) and immediately post-training (n = 254, 75% response rate)—and semi-structured interviews with participants after training (n = 25). Results. We uncovered essential and promising elements of the training. Primary care providers found the Be Our Voice training effective at building their comfort with and motivation for engaging in public health advocacy; they reported achieving learning objectives, and they had positive responses to the training overall and to specific sessions. They articulated the need for the training and plans for advocacy in their communities. Conclusions. The Be Our Voice training provides an opportunity to integrate primary care providers into public health, community-based advocacy. It may be a model for future educational offerings for health care professionals in graduate and postgraduate training and in practice.
A Mindfulness Course Decreases Burnout and Improves Well-Being among Healthcare Providers
Authors: Goodman Matthew J. , Schorling John B. 
Published: June 2012

Objective: Healthcare providers are under increasing stress and work-related burnout has become common. Mindfulness-based interventions have a potential role in decreasing stress and burnout. The purpose of this study was to determine if a continuing education course based on mindfulness-based stress reduction could decrease burnout and improve mental well-being among healthcare providers, from different professions. Design: This was a pre-post observational study conducted in a university medical center. A total of 93 healthcare providers, including physicians from multiple specialties, nurses, psychologists, and social workers who practiced in both university and community settings, participated. The intervention was a continuing education course based on mindfulness-based stress reduction that met 2.5 hours a week for 8 weeks plus a 7-hour retreat. The classes included training in four types of formal mindfulness practices, including the body scan, mindful movement, walking meditation and sitting meditation, as well as discussion focusing on the application of mindfulness at work. The course was offered 11 times over 6 years. The main outcome measures were work-related burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory and self-perceived mental and physical well-being as measured by the SF-12v2. Results: Maslach Burnout Inventory scores improved significantly from before to after the course for both physicians and other healthcare providers for the Emotional Exhaustion ( p < 0.03), Depersonalization ( p < 0.04), and Personal Accomplishment ( p < 0.001) scales. Mental well-being measured by the SF12v2 also improved significantly ( p < 0.001). There were no significant changes in the SF12v2 physical health scores. Conclusion: A continuing education course based on mindfulness-based stress reduction was associated with significant improvements in burnout scores and mental well-being for a broad range of healthcare providers.
The Association between Childhood Adversity and Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Adults with Mood Disorders: Results from the International Mood Disorders Collaborative Project
Authors: McIntyre Roger S. , Soczynska Joanna K. , Liauw Samantha S. , Woldeyohannes Hanna O. , Brietzke Elisa , Nathanson Jay , Alsuwaidan Mohammed , Muzina David J. , Taylor Valerie H. , Cha Danielle S. , Kennedy Sidney H. 
Published: June 2012

Objective: We sought to determine whether a reported history of childhood adversity is associated with components of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III)-defined metabolic syndrome in adults with mood disorders. Method: This was a cross-sectional analysis of adult outpatients ( n = 373; n = 230 female, n = 143 male; mean age [ SD]=42.86 [14.43]) from the International Mood Disorders Collaborative Project (University of Toronto and Cleveland Clinic) with DSM-IV-defined major depressive disorder and bipolar I/II disorder. Childhood adversity was measured with the Klein Trauma & Abuse-Neglect self-report scale. The groups with and without childhood adversity were compared to determine possible differences in the rates of metabolic syndrome and its components. Logistic and linear regressions adjusted for age, sex, education, employment status, and smoking were used to evaluate the association between childhood adversity and components of metabolic syndrome. Results: For the full sample, 83 subjects (22.25%) met criteria for metabolic syndrome. Individuals reporting a history of any childhood adversity had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (systolic: p = 0.040; diastolic: p = 0.038). Among subjects with a history of sexual abuse, a significant proportion met criteria for obesity (45.28% vs. 32.88%; p = 0.010); a trend toward overweight was found for subjects with a history of physical abuse (76.32% vs. 63.33%; p = 0.074), although this relationship did not remain significant after adjusting for potential confounders. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall rate of dyslipidemia and/or metabolic syndrome between subjects with and without childhood adversity. Conclusion: The results herein provide preliminary evidence suggesting that childhood adversity is associated with metabolic syndrome components in individuals with mood disorders.
The Prevalence of 22 Self-Harm Behaviors in a Consecutive Sample of Obstetrics/Gynecology Outpatients
Authors: Sansone Randy A. , Chang Joy , Jewell Bryan 
Published: June 2012

Background: While a number of previous studies have examined limited forms of self-harm behavior, such as suicidal ideation/attempts/completions, or one specific behavior such as cutting or burning oneself (most frequently in psychiatric populations), few studies have examined the lifetime prevalence of multiple self-harm behaviors in a single non-psychiatric population and no study has done so among obstetrics/gynecology outpatients. Method: Using a cross-sectional consecutive sample of 370 women presenting to an obstetrics/gynecology outpatient clinic and a self-report survey methodology, we examined the lifetime prevalence of 22 self-harm behaviors. Results: In this sample, the most frequently self-reported self-harm behaviors were: engaged in emotionally abusive relationships (24.7%), abused alcohol (22.0%), been promiscuous (21.0%), attempted suicide (18.3%), and tortured self with self-defeating thoughts (16.7%). Four of these preceding behaviors were also the most commonly reported 5 of 22 behaviors in 3 previous studies of self-harm behavior in different clinical populations. Conclusions: It appears that the most frequently reported lifetime self-harm behaviors are relatively common across various non-psychiatric clinical populations of adults, albeit in different proportions, with some exceptions (i.e., suicide attempts in the present sample).
Brain Event-Related Potentials Associated with Psychiatric Symptoms in Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Dependent Patients
Authors: Zhang Yao , Zhong Bao-Liang , Li Yi , Zi-Long MA , Tian Yan , Tang Jun 
Published: June 2012

Objective: To explore the correlation between brain event-related potentials (ERPs) and psychiatric symptoms in patients with amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) dependence. Method: Using Galileo Sirius 32-channels digital-evoked potential system, we measured the auditory P300 ERP in 40 ATS dependence subjects and 30 normal controls, respectively. Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) was used to rate the psychiatric symptoms in the subjects. Results: In ATS dependence subjects, the latency of N2, latency of P3, and inter-peak latency of P2-N2 were significantly longer than those in controls, respectively ( P < 0.05). The amplitude of P300 in ATS dependence subjects was significantly lower than that in controls ( P < 0.01). Besides, significantly lower amplitude of P3 and longer latency of P3 were found in ATS dependence subjects suffering from psychiatric symptoms than those without psychotic symptoms ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, in ATS dependence subjects, the latency of N2 was negatively correlated with the scores of anxiety factor ( r = −0.366) and paranoid ideation factor of SCL-90; the latency of P3 negatively correlated with the scores of psychoticism ( r = −0.430) and somatization ( r = −0.397) factor; also, the amplitude of P3 was negatively correlated with the score of psychoticism factor ( r = −0.486). Conclusions: These findings suggest cognitive dysfunction may be one of results of ATS dependence.
Fashioning a Constitutional Narrative: John S. Ewart and the Development of a ‘Canadian Constitution’
Authors: Price Peter 
Published: June 2012

Abstract: John Skirving Ewart (1849–1933) was one of the most controversial public figures in early-twentieth-century Canada. With a background as an experienced lawyer, Ewart wrote extensively on Canadian law and national independence. This paper examines Ewart's private and public writings, focusing on the way in which he crafted a new and unique narrative of the Canadian constitution that positioned Canada as historically and politically distinct from the British Empire. At a time when a robust sense of imperialism energized much of English Canada, Ewart's ideas were controversial and contested. Assessing Ewart's constitutional narrative provides a way of understanding the early development of independent Canadian nationalism and the constitutional changes that emerged in the mid-twentieth century.
The Arab Oedipus: Oriental Perspectives on the Myth
Authors: Mahfouz Safi Mahmoud 
Published: June 2012

Abstract: This article investigates five Arab plays based on the Greek Oedipus legend: Tawfīq Al-Ḥakīm’s King Oedipus, ‘Alī Aḥmad Bākṯīr’s The Tragedy of Oedipus, Fawzī Fahmī’s ‘Awdat Al-Ġā’ib (The Return of the Absent), ‘Alī Sālim’s The Comedy of Oedipus: You’re the One Who Killed the Beast, and Walīd Iḫlāṣī’s Oedipus: A Modern Tragedy. These leading Arab playwrights have used the Oedipus myth more than any other Greek legend as a source text for their plays. The present article is an in-depth analysis of the Arabization of the Greek myth and of the different perspectives implicit in the various Arab versions of Oedipus. It shows the Arab playwrights’ departures from and sincere portrayal of the Greek Oedipus legend to suit Arab audiences.
Noli Me Tangere: Haptic Certitude in Beckett’s Eh Joe and Nacht und Träume
Authors: McTighe Trish 
Published: June 2012

Abstract: This article will examine the act of touch, real or imagined, in Beckett’s television plays Eh Joe and Nacht und Träume. The kinesis and soundscape of Eh Joe are structured around an absent (female) figure. The solitary body of this play is touched by the (absent) presence of an exterior, ghostly figure. In Nacht und Träume, there is a significant moment of touch: hands emerge from the darkness in the image dreamed by the lone figure. These hands also withdraw, and the dream fades. I argue that this reaching toward – and oftentimes failure to make – contact with the other is a key “haptic” element of Beckett’s aesthetic in these plays. Using the work of philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy, I connect the act of touch as presented in these plays with its meaning in culture as a verifier of presence, human or divine. Touch, while it signifies an attempt to verify presence (one thinks of Doubting Thomas) also, in Nancy’s thinking, reveals an anxiety over presence, thus enabling a discussion of these plays in relation to their medium and the ghostly or ‘virtual’ bodies presented therein.
Prevalence and factors associated with Group A rotavirus infection among children with acute diarrhea in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Temu Akwila , Kamugisha Erasmus , Mwizamholya Damas L , Hokororo Aldofina , Seni Jeremiah , Mshana Stephen E. 
Published: June 2012

Introduction: Rotavirus infections frequently cause acute gastroenteritis in humans and are the most important cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in young children in both developed and developing countries. Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional, hospital-based study on 300 children ≤ 5 years with acute watery diarrhea who attended Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) and Nyamagana District hospital between May and November 2009. Stool specimens were tested for rotavirus infection using latex agglutination test. Data were cleaned and analyzed using SPSS 11.0. Results: Of 300 children with acute watery diarrhea, 136 (45.3%) were female and the mean age was 12.63 months (SD = 10.4). Sixty-two (20.7%) children were found to have rotavirus infection. Of children with severe malnutrition three (37.5%) were infected with rotavirus. Fifty-two (84%) of children with rotavirus infection were below two years of age. Severe dehydration was present in 48 (16%) children of whom 12 (25%) were infected with rotavirus compared to 18 (16.6%) of 109 children with no dehydration. Living next door to a child with diarrhea was highly associated with rotavirus infection (43% versus 19%; p = 0.036). The mean hospital stay among children with rotavirus infection was 3.66 days versus 2.5 days for those without rotavirus (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Rotavirus infection is prevalent in Mwanza region and contributes to prolonged hospital stay. Proper education on hygiene to control diarrheal diseases among children should be emphasized. Extensive studies to determine the serotypes of rotavirus are warranted in the region before rotavirus vaccine is introduced.
Frequency and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from oral and topical medicaments from Hilla, Iraq
Authors: Al-Charrakh Alaa Hani 
Published: June 2012

Introduction: The presence of microorganisms in pharmaceuticals is undesirable because they may cause spoilage of the product and may present an infection hazard to the consumers or patients. Methodology: A total of 102 samples of oral and topical non-sterile pharmaceutical products were collected at random from different drug houses and pharmacies in Iraq, to investigate the microbial contamination of these products. Bacterial isolates recovered from these medicaments were subjected to susceptibility testing against various antibiotics by disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards (CLSI) guidelines. Results: The results revealed that the occurrence of Gram-positive bacteria was in oral and topical medicaments while Gram-negative bacteria were only detected in topical medicaments. More than 58% of Bacillus isolates were resistant to lincomycin and Bacillus mycoides isolates were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Staphylococcus spp. showed a relatively high resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. S. epidermidis had the highest number of multi-resistant isolates. Furthermore, 87.5% of isolated Gram-negative rods showed high resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and 75% of them were highly resistant to erythromycin. One isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most resistant among all Gram-negative rod isolates. Conclusion: The high rate of resistance to antimicrobial agents of bacterial isolates recovered from oral and topical medicaments in this study may indicate a widespread antibiotic resistance among bacteria isolated from different sources, including those of anthropological and environmental origin.
Dosage Adjustment of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor in Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Effective in Maintaining Remission in Clinical Practice
Authors: PACCOU JULIEN , BACLÉ-BOUTRY MARIE-ASTRID , SOLAU-GERVAIS ELISABETH , BELE-PHILIPPE PEGGY , FLIPO RENÉ-MARC 
Published: June 2012

Objective.While remission is possible in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), it is often unclear what attitude should be adopted once remission has occurred. We investigated whether dosage adjustment is an effective means of maintaining remission.Methods.This was a retrospective study drawn from clinical situations. Remission was defined using clinical measures [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ≤ 20/100 and no peripheral joint disease] and biological measures [C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ≤ normal value]. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors used were infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept. Response predictors of remission were evaluated by logistic regression (age, CRP, HLA-B27 positivity, sex, duration of disease, and anti-TNF-α naivety). CRP and BASDAI were evaluated before and after dosage adjustment at about 6, 12, 24, and 36 months.Results.One hundred eighty-nine patients with AS were included in the study, with a mean followup of 43.5 (± 17.9) months after the introduction of the first anti-TNF-α inhibitor. Mean age was 45.6 (± 12.5) years. Remission had occurred in 65 patients (35%). Significant response predictors of remission were male sex (p = 0.003) and anti-TNF-α naivety (p < 0.001). Dosage adjustment was observed 49 times, and progressively reducing treatment frequency was effective to maintain remission in a large number of patients for 36 months. The cumulative probability of continuing anti-TNF-α after dosage adjustment was 79.0% at 12 months, 70.5% at 24 months, and 58.8% at 36 months.Conclusion.Remission had occurred in 35% of the patients with AS under anti-TNF-α inhibitor therapy. Dosage adjustment and progressively reducing treatment frequency was effective in maintaining remission.
Genetic Risk Factors for Thrombosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: KAISER RACHEL , LI YONGHONG , CHANG MONICA , CATANESE JOSEPH , BEGOVICH ANN B. , BROWN ELIZABETH E. , EDBERG JEFFREY C. , McGWIN GERALD , ALARCÓN GRACIELA S. , RAMSEY-GOLDMAN ROSALIND , REVEILLE JOHN D. , VILÁ LUIS M. , PETRI MICHELLE A. , KIMBERLY ROBERT P. , TAYLOR KIMBERLY E. , CRISWELL LINDSEY A. 
Published: June 2012

Objective.Thrombosis is a serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated whether genetic variants implicated in thrombosis pathways are associated with thrombosis among 2 ethnically diverse SLE cohorts.Methods.Our discovery cohort consisted of 1698 patients with SLE enrolled in the University of California, San Francisco, Lupus Genetics Project and our replication cohort included 1361 patients with SLE enrolled in the PROFILE cohort. Patients fulfilled American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria, and data relevant to thrombosis were available. Thirty-three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) previously shown to be associated with risk of deep venous thrombosis in the general population or implicated in thrombosis pathways were genotyped and tested for association with thrombosis in bivariate allelic analyses. SNP with p < 0.1 in the bivariate analyses were further tested in multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, disease duration, antiphospholipid antibody status, smoking, nephritis, and medications.Results.In the discovery cohort, 23% of patients with SLE experienced a thrombotic event. SNP in the following genes demonstrated association with thrombosis risk overall in the discovery or replication cohorts and were assessed using metaanalytic methods: factor V Leiden(FVL)rs6025 (OR 1.85, p = 0.02) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 (OR 0.75, p = 0.04) in whites, and fibrinogen gamma (FGG) rs2066865 (OR 1.91, p = 0.01) in Hispanic Americans. SNP in these genes showed association with venous thrombosis risk in whites:MTHFRrs1801131 (OR 1.51, p = 0.01),MTHFRrs1801133 (OR 0.70, p = 0.04),FVLrs6025 (OR 2.69, p = 0.002), andFGGrs2066865 (OR 1.49, p = 0.02) in whites. A SNP inFGGrs2066865 (OR 2.19, p = 0.003) demonstrated association with arterial thrombosis risk in Hispanics.Conclusion.Our results implicate specific genetic risk factors for thrombosis in patients with SLE and suggest that genetic risk for thrombosis differs across ethnic groups.