bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage on Preterm Birth Outcome
Authors: Rathod Pratibha , Desai Ajesh , Chandel Divya
Published: February 2024

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) poses a significant global health challenge and focused research is vital for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage on PTB. Methods: There were two groups: (a) cases consisting of mothers with PTB (<37 weeks of gestation, n = 100) and (b) controls consisting of mothers with term birth (>37 weeks of gestation, n = 100). Women with vaginal infection, non-cephalic presentation, multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, Cesarean delivery, pregnancy with Mullerian anomalies, or preeclampsia were excluded from the study. OS analysis was conducted by measuring levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total protein and DNA damage were evaluated by CBMN-Cyt assay. Statistical analysis was performed using students’ t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: Low levels of antioxidants SOD and CAT ( p < .0001), and total protein ( p < .0001), besides high malondialdehyde (byproduct of LPO) ( p < .0001) were observed in the PTB group. Moreover, high frequencies of micronuclei ( p < .0001) and nucleoplasmic buds ( p < .01) were detected in the PTB mothers compared to term birth mothers, while no significance was observed in the nucleoplasmic bridge frequencies. Conclusion: When the body’s immune system and antioxidants fail to cope up with the generated OS, it can lead to PTB. Along with other body tests, OS markers and CBMN-Cyt tests have the potential to be used in diagnostics for early warning as well as monitoring and advising mothers for a better pregnancy outcome.
Social media and platform work: Stories, practices, and workers’ organisation
Authors: Vilasís-Pamos Júlia , Pires Fernanda , Grohmann Rafael , Fernandes Araujo Willian
Published: February 2024

This article introduces the special issue, ‘Social Media and Platform Work: Stories, Practices, and Workers’ Organisation’. In recent years, platform labour studies have increasingly focused on how the growing platformisation of labour has changed work activities, labour processes, work organising, identities, and collectivities. The literature has highlighted the role of media, communication, and social media in platform labour, but more research is needed on these interrelationships. Precisely, the analysis of platform work is necessary due to its complexity and interest in political, economic, social, cultural, and health terms. Throughout the special issue, different contributions are presented that analyse how the emergence of these new jobs brings a set of inequalities that complexify the notion of ‘work’ and dilute workers’ rights, leading to a precarious situation. The use of social media plays a crucial role in the platformisation of labour as it enables the creation of social relationships between workers but also opens the door to communicating, disseminating their work, and even learning informally and about their work. However, the use of social media can also lead to a precarious combination of platform work and content creation – or cultural production. In this regard, it is worth noting to analyse and approach the relationship between platform work and social networks precisely by addressing both perspectives, considering possible vulnerabilities derived from these situations and situations of precariousness.
How does patient-centered communication work? Trend analysis of mediation through cancer worry and health self-efficacy, 2011–2020
Authors: Ye Jizhou Francis , Zheng Shenting , Ao Song Harris , Yan Changhao Dylan , Lai Yuyuan , Lai Ze , Zhao Xinshu
Published: February 2024

This study proposed and tested the cross-sectional effects of patient-centered communication (PCC) on cancer screening behaviors via an affective-cognitive sequential chain of mediation through cancer worry and health self-efficacy. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from four iterations of the Health Information National Trends Survey (2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020). The results found that lowered cancer worry following PCC does not show a cross-sectional positive effect in promoting cancer screening behaviors, while enhanced health self-efficacy as a subsequent state is a facilitator of screening behaviors. The findings further demonstrated increased PCC, a rise in cancer worry, and a sustained level of health self-efficacy. Also, our research has identified an upward trend in cancer screening behaviors from 2011 to 2017, followed by a notable decrease in 2020. These insights underscore the nuanced ways PCC can foster cancer screening behaviors, emphasizing the importance of emotional and cognitive aspects in clinical settings.
Validation of the short version of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for adolescents in Norway
Authors: Sætren Sjur S. , Hegelstad Wenche ten Velden , Tjora Tore , Hafstad Gertrud S. , Augusti Else-Marie
Published: February 2024

Background/Aim:

The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is among the most popular and widely used measures of emotion regulation across age groups. This study aimed to validate the CERQ short version (CERQ-short) for use on adolescents in the Norwegian population.

Method:

A sample of 3461 adolescents (47.3% girls) aged 12–16 years was recruited through the UEVO population-based study of child maltreatment in Norway. Factor structure, reliability, measurement invariance and criterion validity were investigated.

Results:

Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original nine-factor model including 18 items; however, not a two-factor structure nor a higher order two-factor solution. Internal consistency was adequate for all subscales, with alpha levels ranging from .73 to .84 between subscales across genders. Relationships with internalizing problems measured with the 10-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist and health-related quality of life according to KIDSCREEN-10 supported the criterion-related validity of the Norwegian CERQ-short.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that the CERQ-short can be used to measure cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the Norwegian adolescent population. The validation of the CERQ-short in Norway could significantly improve mental health care by facilitating better diagnosis, treatment planning, and evaluation, as well as informing public health policy and cross-cultural research.
Workplace induced heat-related-illness and kidney disorders amongst coal cutters of underground mines
Authors: Ijaz Madiha , Ahmad Sajid R , Akram Muhammad , Carter William S
Published: February 2024

Workers in hot underground coal mines could develop heat-related illnesses, (especially skin, digestion and kidney problems), as compared to workers in non-hot mines. This study found severity of this situation by comparing heat illness symptoms, core body and skin temperature and kidney malfunctioning amongst workers of both types of mines. Ingestible thermometric pills (sending readings to Sensor Electronic Module every 15 s), skin temperature probes (connected to various body parts and sending readings to loggers) and laboratory analysis of pre- and post-shift samples of blood and urine, US-NIOSH-HETA-2012 sheet to survey symptoms, were used to collect data from 50 workers (25 from five hot mines (G1) and 25 from five non-hot mines (G2)). Two mine groups showed significant differences ( p-value <.001) regarding wet-bulb globe temperature, dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity. The highest core body temperature was 38.8°C in G1 and 37.9°C in G2. In intra-group comparison for kidney functioning, post-shift samples showed haematocrit (%) was reduced to 43.6 ± 2.1 from 45.4 ± 1.4 in G1 and to 44.0 ± 2.9 from 45.0 ± 0.75 in G2, and estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced from 100 ± 19 to 94 ± 0 mL/min/1.72 m2in G1 and to 113 ± 15 from 115 ± 19ain G2 workers. The comparison showed hot mines could induce heat-related illnesses which would necessitate intervention to reduce exposure.
Coexistence of value construction and value destruction: The effect of social media news engagement and emotional news on news paying intent
Authors: Chen Victoria Y.
Published: February 2024

Given that media practitioners extensively use emotional news to attract user attention on social media, this study examines the economic value of social media news engagement and emotional news and further investigates how social media news engagement mediates the relationship between emotional news on social media and paying intent. An analysis of survey data from Taiwan reveals that the exchange value of digital news depends on content-interaction engagement and the presence of heartwarming news content. In contrast, funny news that attracts attention decreases news paying intent. This study identified the economic value of content-interaction engagement. However, it revealed that exposure engagement did not increase the money that respondents were willing to pay. While content-interaction engagement is more difficult to achieve than exposure engagement, the economic value of the former is more than that of the latter. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings will be discussed.
The family as a source of social support for older adults: Implications for gerontological social work
Authors: Bražinová Ivana , Chytil Oldřich
Published: February 2024

Results of our previous research indicated that older adults believe that there's a lack of sufficient social support from informal sources available to them in difficult situations they face. In follow-up research, we found that older adults defined limitation in their self-sufficiency in daily activities to be the most significant difficult situation for them. This paper disseminates the results of the research seeking to answer the research question: According to older adults, can family be a source of social support in a difficult situation of limitation of self-sufficiency in daily activities? Social support theory is the used theoretical basis. Using the method of qualitative content analysis we analysed 23 semi-structured interviews with older adults.

Findings

We found that if two conditions, that is, geographic proximity to individual family members and the quality of relationships with family members, are ensured, family can function as one of the informal sources of social support according to older adults. In case that older adults prefer a formal source of social support, they consider their family as a source of social support only in an extreme situation of limited self-sufficiency.

Applications

This study provides social workers with a better understanding of the difficult situations of older adults and what kind of social support older adults prefer. This study also provides an argumentation about the importance of gerontological social work.
HTATIP2 Overexpression was Associated With a Good Prognosis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Park Sun Yi , Park Ji-Ho , Yang Jung Wook , Jung Eun-Jung , Ju Young-Tae , Jeong Chi-Young , Kim Ju-Yeon , Park Taejin , Park Miyeong , Lee Young-Joon , Jeong Sang-Ho
Published: February 2024

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the transcriptomes of poorly cohesive carcinoma (PCC; diffuse-type) and well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma (WD; intestinal-type) using gastric cancer (GC) tissues and cell lines and to evaluate the prognostic role of HIV-1 Tat Interactive Protein 2 (HTATIP2). Materials and Methods: We performed next-generation sequencing with 8 GC surgical samples (5 WD and 3 PCC) and 3 GC cell lines (1 WD: MKN74, and 2 PCC: KATOIII and SNU601). Immunohistochemistry was used to validate HTATIP2 expression. We performed functional analysis by HTATIP2 overexpression (OE). Kaplan-Meier survival plots and the PrognoScan database were used for survival analysis. Results: The genes with significantly reduced expression in PCC versus WD (in both tissues and cell lines) were HTATIP2, ESRP1, GRHL2, ARHGEF16, CKAP2L, and ZNF724. According to immunohistochemical staining, the HTATIP2-OE group had significantly higher number of patients with early GC (EGC) (T1) ( P = .024), less lymph node (LN) metastasis ( P = .008), and low TNMA stage ( P = .017) than HTATIP2 underexpression (UE) group. Better survival rates were confirmed in the HTATIP2 OE group by Kaplan-Meir survival and PrognoScan analysis. In vitro, HTATIP2-OE in KATO III cells caused a significant decrease in cancer cell migration and invasion. Decreased Snail and Slug expression in HTATIP2 OE cells suggested that epithelial-mesenchymal transition is involved in this process. Conclusion: HTATIP2 might be a good prognostic marker and a candidate target for GC treatment.
How Are Automation Failures Characterized in the Driving Domain? Insights From a Scoping Review
Authors: Kanaan Dina , Donmez Birsen
Published: February 2024

We agree with Skraaning and Jamieson’s assertion that the “failure” construct is not always clearly defined in human-automation interaction research. We applied their proposed taxonomy to explore how failures have been characterized in driving automation research based on a recent scoping review we conducted. We discuss the insights gained and the challenges of using the taxonomy to characterize driving automation failures: (1) Utilizing the taxonomy confirmed that driving automation research is limited in failure scenarios tested. (2) Applying the taxonomy to empirical studies on driving automation is challenging due to limited information on underlying failure mechanisms. (3) Failures can be difficult to classify due to the complexity of technology and environmental factors. (4) Researchers and designers should know failure mechanisms, but drivers will not.
The effects of lockdown of work and activities for adults with multiple, complex needs including sensory impairments during the pandemic in 2020
Authors: Bakken Trine Lise , Ellingsen Bodil
Published: February 2024

Sheltered work and leisure activities were locked down in at the Signo centre in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Signo centre is a Norwegian national centre for adults with multiple, complex needs, including severe sensory loss/impairments. Tension and uncertainty rapidly spread among relatives and workers. To explore the impacts of the pandemic on residents, 24 adults living in Signo Vivo answered a semi-structured interview together with their primary worker. Additionally, reports on staff injuries and PRN medication between April and Aug of 2020 were compared to the period before the lockdown. The reports from the interviews included fewer stressful events for the participants, more rest and sleep, more time spent in their own apartments, and more time with smaller groups of workers. The reports on staff injuries and PRN medication showed decreased occurrence.
Replicating the literature on prefecture-level meritocratic promotion in China
Authors: Wiebe Michael
Published: February 2024

China has sustained double-digit economic growth over three decades. A literature has emerged with one possible explanation: meritocratic promotion, where officials at the same level compete with each other on the basis of relative GDP growth, and the winners are rewarded with promotion up the administrative hierarchy. This tournament competition generates strong incentives for politicians to boost growth. I reanalyze this literature, focusing on prefecture-level leaders. I select three papers that study different research questions, but each reports secondary results on meritocratic promotion of prefecture leaders. Reanalyzing these results, I find that the evidence is not robust to alternative control variables, regression specifications, or outcome variables. Overall, I provide an example of a literature seeming to converge on a finding, but where each piece of evidence is unreliable.
Enacting Musical Aesthetics: The Embodied Experience of Live Music
Authors: Martin Remy , Nielsen Nanette
Published: February 2024

The vitality and affective potential of the live concert experience is a result of rich, cross-sensory interactions and varied participatory practices. The complexity of such entanglements has recently led philosophers to argue for an enactive, affordance-based approach that interrogates a variety of perceptual and sensory possibilities inherent in aesthetic experiences. Further, Shaun Gallagher's recent addition of the 4As (Affect, Agency, Affordance, Autonomy) to the 4Es (Embodied, Embedded, Enacted, Extended) for clarifying mind–world relations seem to have potent explanatory power for these kinds of encounters. Building on such current philosophical approaches while examining specific (and actual) live musical engagement, this article offers an interpretation of selected audience data from the MusicLab Copenhagen with the Danish String Quartet research concert to discuss particular responses from the audience physically present at the venue. Responding to neuroaesthetic approaches, we clarify the audience members’ individual and collective aesthetic experience through an enactive, affordance-based approach. We suggest that what is at play in the live concert environment is a mode of attentive dynamic listening. Rather than seeking to characterize the audience as passively responding to music, a 4Es/4As approach to aesthetic experience seeks to clarify embodied-enactive audience engagement for which anticipation is a dynamic factor that enables further musical action and resonance, also for the musicians on stage.
Mediating Effect of Motivation on the Relationship Between Lecturer Experience and Learning Environment With Caring Character Among Undergraduate Nursing Student in Indonesia
Authors: Permana Bhakti , Yusuf Ah. , Bakar Abu , Lindayani Linlin
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Caring is learned through faculty role-modeling and clinical interactions, enhancing nursing students’ caring character. Relationship between caring, motivation, teacher experience, and learning environment remains uncertain.

Objective

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between their caring characters, motivation, lecturer experience, and learning environment among undergraduate nursing students in Indonesia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and February 2023, recruiting 550 undergraduate nursing students from 10 universities in West Java province, Indonesia. The study included instruments such as students’ perceptions of learning, academic motivation scale, service quality assessment of instructional laboratories, and caring character learning instrument. The Bootstrap analysis was used to analyze the mediating effect of study variable.

Results

The study involved participants aged 20–25 years. The mean scores for caring characters, lecturer experience, motivation, and learning environment were 2.18 ± 0.97, 3.46 ± 1.20, 4.32 ± 1.53, and 5.96 ± 2.08, respectively. The results showed significant direct effects of lecturer experience on caring character, mediating effects of learning environment, motivation, and chain mediating effects of learning environment and motivation. The direct effect accounted for 44.34% of the total effect, while the indirect effect was 35.21%.

Conclusions

The study found that learning environment and motivation mediate the relationship between lecturer experience and caring characters among undergraduate nursing students in West Java, Indonesia. Emphasizing best practices and creating a student-friendly environment is crucial for fostering guidance and support.
Is it worth a punt on pensions? A case study of three municipalities’ use of pension obligation bonds
Authors: Davidson Mark
Published: February 2024

Cities now commonly engage with financial actors, tools, and markets to manage their budgets and associated activities. The growing significance of finance within urban governance is connected by some scholars to the latter’s increasingly speculative character. One area of urban governance where financial tools are now commonly used for speculative ends are public pensions. Across the United States, many state and local governments face large unfunded pension liabilities. In some cases, this has led them to issue pension obligation bonds to reduce their unfunded liabilities. This paper examines the extent of recent pension obligation bond issuance and develops a comparative case study of three Massachusetts municipalities. The research results show that the speculative content of pension obligation bonds varies, even across three Massachusetts municipalities. By using pension obligation bonds, all three case study cities have exposed themselves to different levels of financial risk and have given themselves a long-term governance challenge by installing a speculative financial tool within their budgeting.
Running the Codification Gauntlet: Why Intent Alone Cannot Afford the Codification of Project Learnings
Authors: Ferres Geoffrey Mark , Moehler Robert C.
Published: February 2024

This article presents a first synthesis of the ability to codify challenges that constrain project learning codification and, in turn, limit the sharing of learnings between projects at scale. An improved understanding of these challenges supports the externalized sharing of project learnings, between communities of practice, that can scale beyond the temporal, geographical, and organizational barriers that constrain personalized sharing. Through an integrative cross-domain literature review, a learning codification gauntlet of seven key ability to codify challenges is reconceptualized, and significant new research gaps are identified for further investigation, including: the operation of identified challenges in practice, challenge interrelationships, and challenge-cumulative effects on project-to-project learning outcomes.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein among people living with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy: a systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mabhida Sihle E. , Mchiza Zandile J. , Mokgalaboni Kabelo , Hanser Sidney , Choshi Joel , Mokoena Haskly , Ziqubu Khanyisani , Masilela Charity , Nkambule Bongani B. , Ndwandwe Duduzile E. , Kengne André P. , Dludla Phiwayinkosi V.
Published: February 2024

The pathological consequences of inflammation persist in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), regardless of the positive outcomes of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to understand and explore the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other cardiovascular disease (CVD)-risk factors including lipid profiles among PLWH on HAART. Major electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to retrieve relevant global literature reporting on hs-CRP levels in PLWH on HAART. A total of twenty-two studies with an average participant age of 40 years were eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Majority of the included studies were from Africa (n = 11), the United States (n = 6), and Europe (n = 5). Our systemic review showed that most studies reported increased levels of hs-CRP among PLWH on HAART when compared to controls (PLWH not on HAART or those without HIV), especially in studies from Africa. This was supported by a meta-analysis showing significantly elevated levels of hs-CRP in PLWH on HAART when compared to PLWH not on HAART (standardised mean difference [SMD] = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.10‑1.01, z = 2.41; p = 0.02) or those without HIV (SMD = 1.19; 95% CI = 0.76‑1.63, z = 5.35; p < 0.001). Where lipid profiles, as a major predictor for CVD risk, were also impaired in PLWH on HAART when compared to PLWH not on HAART and HIV-negative participants. In conclusion, elevated levels of hs-CRP and lipid levels are prevalent in PLWH on HAART, this may increase the risk of CVD complications, especially for those people living in Africa. However, more evidence in larger population studies is required to confirm these outcomes and unveil any possible clinical implications of HAART-induced modulation of hs-CRP levels in PLWH.
Effects of disability-related limitations in daily living on unmet needs: a longitudinal-study1
Authors: Kim Hanseul , Jung Yun Hwa , Park Sohee , Shin Jaeyong , Jang Sung-In
Published: February 2024

Background

Unmet health needs are particularly important to people with disabilities; however, these unmet needs owing to limitations in daily life have been under-researched thus far. This study examined the effects of disability-related limitations in daily life on unmet needs.

Methods

This study included 5,074 adults with disabilities from the 2018–2020 Korea Disability and Life Dynamics Panel. We analyzed the effects of disability-related limitations in daily life on unmet needs using logistic regression with a generalized estimating equation model.

Results

Overall, 4.8% men and 4.6% women with disabilities had unmet needs. For men, unmet needs were 1.46 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.96) higher for those with moderate limitations in daily life. For women, unmet needs were 1.79 times (95% CI 1.22–2.39) higher when there were moderate limitations in daily life. The prominent factors causing this effect were physical or brain lesion disability for men and internal or facial disability and burden of medical expenses for women.

Conclusions

Limitations in daily life due to disability increase the risk of having unmet needs, an effect that is significantly more pronounced in men. These unmet needs differ depending on an individual’s sex, disability type, limited body parts, and other specific causes. Efforts are required to reduce the unmet needs of people with disabilities by considering the type of disability, impaired body parts, and causes of unmet needs in daily life.
The impact of changes in opioid dependency treatment upon COVID-19 transmission in Sydney, Australia: a retrospective longitudinal observational study
Authors: Trevitt Benjamin T. , Hayes Victoria , Deacon Rachel , Mills Llewellyn , Demirkol Apo , Lintzeris Nicholas
Published: February 2024

Background

In April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Drug and Alcohol services modified their delivery of opioid dependency treatment (ODT) to reduce spread of COVID-19 and maintain continuity of care by increasing use of takeaway doses (TADs), transferring clients to local community pharmacies for dosing and encouraging the use of long-acting depot buprenorphine (LADB) which enabled once a month dosing.

Methods

This study was a retrospective longitudinal case–control study conducted from August 1st, to November 30th, 2021. Eligible clients were those admitted for treatment with SESLHD ODT Services prior to August 1st,2021 and who remained in treatment beyond November 30th, 2021. COVID-19 diagnoses were determined by a COVID-19 PCR and extracted from the electronic Medical Records (eMR) Discern Reporting Portal. Demographic, clinical and dosing related data were collected from eMR and the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Results

Clients attending SESLHD ODT services had significantly greater odds of acquiring COVID-19 than the NSW adult population at large (OR: 13.63, 95%CI: 9.64,18.88). Additionally, amongst SESLHD ODT clients, being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin was associated with greater odds of acquiring COVID-19 (OR = 2.18, CI: 1.05,4.53); whilst being employed (OR = 0.06, CI:0.01,0.46), receiving doses at pharmacy (OR = 0.43, CI: 0.21,0.89), and being vaccinated (OR = 0.12, CI: 0.06,0.26) were associated with lower odds. Every additional day of attendance required for dosing was associated with a 5% increase in odds of acquiring COVID-19 (OR = 1.05, CI: 1.02,1.08).

Conclusions

Clients attending SESLHD ODT services are significantly more likely to acquire COVID-19 than the NSW population at large. Promoting vaccination uptake, transferring clients to pharmacy, and reducing the frequency of dosing (by use of takeaway doses or long-acting depot buprenorphine) are all potential methods to reduce this risk.
Lived experiences of refugee women with vaginal fistula in Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements, Isingiro District, Uganda
Authors: Opong George , Maniple Everd Bikaitwoha , Agabiirwe Caroline Noel
Published: February 2024

Background

Vaginal fistula (VF) affects 2–3 million women globally, with the majority in Africa. In Uganda, it’s 2%, with western Uganda having the highest prevalence. Major predisposing factors for refugee women include health system breakdowns and sexual violence during conflict. VF has severe consequences for women, relatives, and communities. There’s limited information on lived experiences among refugee women with VF, and there’s a need for quality prevention, treatment, and social reintegration strategies. This study aimed to understand the physical, psychosocial, and economic impacts of VF on refugee women in Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements and their coping mechanisms.

Methods

Ten refugee women with VF were interviewed using qualitative study design, utilizing Social-Ecological and Transactional Models for data collection, analysis, and discussion.

Results

Ten refugee women aged 24–50 years with or who had experienced VF participated in the study. They lived with VF for at least 2–15 years and had multiple stillbirths. Obstetric Fistula (OF) was the leading cause, followed by rape and cancer. Post-fistula, they faced social discrimination, emotional disturbances, survival difficulties, poverty, and lack of support. They struggled with stigma, social isolation, and marital sexual challenges.

Conclusion

Refugee women experience physical, emotional, financial, social, and sexual trauma due to VF. Discrimination and stigmatization from loved ones and society lead to isolation, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Despite successful repair, their social and emotional healing remains a burden for their lives. There is a need to provide a supportive environment for VF survivors.
Impact of telenurse-led intervention in clinical trials on health literacy, empowerment, and health outcomes in patients with solid tumours: a pilot quasi-experimental study
Authors: Muñoz-Villaverde Sergio , Martínez-García María , Serrano-Oviedo Leticia , Gómez-Romero Francisco Javier , Sobrado-Sobrado Ana María , Cidoncha-Moreno María Ángeles , Riesgo-Martín Juan , Pedreira-Robles Guillermo , Garcimartin Paloma
Published: February 2024

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, decentralised clinical trials incorporated self-monitoring, self-reporting, and telenursing tools to address health literacy and health empowerment of patients enrolled in clinical trials. We aimed to determine the impact of an educational intervention using telenursing consultations on health literacy, health empowerment, and health-related quality of life in cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials by measuring the level of satisfaction with the care received and assessing the views of healthcare professionals concerning the advanced practice nurse (APN) role in oncology clinical trials.

Methods

In this pilot analytical, descriptive, longitudinal, quasi-experimental, and pre-post test study, an educational intervention was conducted by 5 visits with an APN using synchronous teleconsultation in patients starting cancer treatment for the first time in a clinical trial (n = 60), and health professionals working with the APN (n = 31). A descriptive analysis of the samples and questionnaires were utilised along with statistical comparisons.

Results

After the intervention, patients' health literacy (31.7%), health empowerment (18.3%), and health-related quality of life (33.3%) increased (p < 0.05), with a decrease and trend towards resolution of care needs (p < 0.05). Satisfaction with the quality and care received in terms of perceived convenience, transition, and continuity of care showed positive results in 64.9 ± 20.7, 77.6 ± 19.5, and 72.1 ± 20.4 of respondents, respectively. On the overall assessment of the APN role, healthcare professionals expressed a high level of agreement with the statements related to their work performance.

Conclusions

The data indicates that a clinical trial APN-led telenursing educational intervention results in an overall increase in health literacy, an improvement in health empowerment and health-related quality of life, and a decrease in care needs of oncology clinical trials patients. Patients stated that they received a high quality of care and health professionals indicated high levels of acceptance with APNs. Based on these results, we suggest that the APN role should gain more recognition in the Spanish healthcare system and their professional competencies should be aligned with those of other countries.
Developing criteria for a profession to be considered as profession of allied health in Malaysia: a qualitative study from the Malaysian perspective
Authors: Lapchmanan L Mageswary , Hussin Duratul Ain , Mahat Naji Arafat , Ng Aik Hao , Bani Nurul Huda , Hisham Salina , Teh Wai Siew , A Aziz Mohd Azmarul , Maniam Saravanakumar , Dollah Pauzilah , Hasbullah Nur Atiqah , Manimaran Salini , Hassan Hazirah , Zulkernain Farina
Published: February 2024

Background

The Malaysian Allied Health Profession Act (Act 774) regulates the practice of allied health practitioners in Malaysia, with two described professions viz. allied health profession (AHP) and profession of allied health (PAH). While AHPs have been clearly identified by the law, comprehensive implementation of the act requires development of specific criteria in defining any profession as PAH in the Malaysian context. Hence, the research aims to explore and identify the criteria for defining such professions for healthcare policy direction in Malaysia.

Methods

This research utilised two methods of qualitative research (document review and focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 25 participants from four stakeholders (higher education providers, employers, associations and regulatory bodies). Both deductive and inductive thematic content analysis were used to explore, develop and define emergent codes, examined along with existing knowledge on the subject matter.

Results

Sixteen codes emerged from the FGDs, with risk of harm, set of competency and skills, formal qualification, defined scope of practice, relevant training and professional working within the healthcare team being the six most frequent codes. The frequencies for these six codes were 62, 46, 40, 37, 36 and 18, correspondingly. The risk of harm towards patients was directly or indirectly involved with patient handling and also relates to the potential harms that may implicate the practitioners themselves in performing their responsibilities as the important criterion highlighted in the present research, followed by set of competency and skills.

Conclusions

For defining the PAH in Malaysia, the emerged criteria appear interrelated and co-exist in milieu, especially for the risk of harm and set of competency and skills, with no single criterion that can define PAH fully. Hence, the integration of all the empirically identified criteria must be considered to adequately define the PAH. As such, the findings must be duly considered by policymakers in performing suitable consolidation of healthcare governance to formulate the appropriate regulations and policies for promoting the enhanced framework of allied health practitioners in Malaysia.
An integrated understanding of the impact of hospital at home: a mixed-methods study to articulate and test a programme theory
Authors: Chen Hong , Ignatowicz Agnieszka , Skrybant Magdalena , Lasserson Daniel
Published: February 2024

Background

Hospital at Home (HaH) provides intensive, hospital-level care in patients’ homes for acute conditions that would normally require hospitalisation, using multidisciplinary teams. As a programme of complex medical-social interventions, a HaH programme theory has not been fully articulated although implicit in the structures, functions, and activities of the existing HaH services. We aimed to unearth the tacit theory from international evidence and test the soundness of it by studying UK HaH services.

Methods

We conducted a literature review (29 articles) adopting a ‘realist review’ approach (theory articulation) and examined 11 UK-based services by interviewing up to 3 staff members from each service (theory testing). The review and interview data were analysed using Framework Analysis and Purposive Text Analysis.

Results

The programme theory has three components- the organisational, utilisation and impact theories. The impact theory consists of key assumptions about the change processes brought about by HaH’s activities and functions, as detailed in the organisational and utilisation theories. HaH teams should encompass multiple disciplines to deliver comprehensive assessments and have skill sets for physically delivering hospital-level processes of care in the home. They should aim to treat a broad range of conditions in patients who are clinically complex and felt to be vulnerable to hospital acquired harms. Services should cover 7 days a week, have plans for 24/7 response and deliver relational continuity of care through consistent staffing. As a result, patients’ and carers’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in disease management and self-care should be strengthened with a sense of safety during HaH treatment, and carers better supported to fulfil their role with minimal added care burden.

Conclusions

There are organisational factors for HaH services and healthcare processes that contribute to better experience of care and outcomes for patients. HaH services should deliver care using hospital level processes through teams that have a focus on holistic and individually tailored care with continuity of therapeutic relationships between professionals and patients and carers resulting in less complexity and fragmentation of care. This analysis informs how HaH services can organise resources and design processes of care to optimise patient satisfaction and outcomes.
TRIM25 promotes glioblastoma cell growth and invasion via regulation of the PRMT1/c-MYC pathway by targeting the splicing factor NONO
Authors: Chen Yike , Xu Xiaohui , Ding Kaikai , Tang Tianchi , Cai Feng , Zhang Haocheng , Chen Zihang , Qi Yangjian , Fu Zaixiang , Zhu Ganggui , Dou Zhangqi , Xu Jinfang , Chen Gao , Wu Qun , Ji Jianxiong , Zhang Jianmin
Published: February 2024

Background

Ubiquitination plays an important role in proliferating and invasive characteristic of glioblastoma (GBM), similar to many other cancers. Tripartite motif 25 (TRIM25) is a member of the TRIM family of proteins, which are involved in tumorigenesis through substrate ubiquitination.

Methods

Difference in TRIM25 expression levels between nonneoplastic brain tissue samples and primary glioma samples was demonstrated using publicly available glioblastoma database, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. TRIM25 knockdown GBM cell lines (LN229 and U251) and patient derived GBM stem-like cells (GSCs) GBM#021 were used to investigate the function of TRIM25 in vivo and in vitro. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and mass spectrometry analysis were performed to identify NONO as a protein that interacts with TRIM25. The molecular mechanisms underlying the promotion of GBM development by TRIM25 through NONO were investigated by RNA-seq and validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting.

Results

We observed upregulation of TRIM25 in GBM, correlating with enhanced glioblastoma cell growth and invasion, both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, we screened a panel of proteins interacting with TRIM25; mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation revealed that NONO was a potential substrate of TRIM25. TRIM25 knockdown reduced the K63-linked ubiquitination of NONO, thereby suppressing the splicing function of NONO. Dysfunctional NONO resulted in the retention of the second intron in the pre-mRNA of PRMT1, inhibiting the activation of the PRMT1/c-MYC pathway.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that TRIM25 promotes glioblastoma cell growth and invasion by regulating the PRMT1/c-MYC pathway through mediation of the splicing factor NONO. Targeting the E3 ligase activity of TRIM25 or the complex interactions between TRIM25 and NONO may prove beneficial in the treatment of GBM.
Small vessel cerebrovascular disease is associated with cognition in prospective Alzheimer’s clinical trial participants
Authors: Morales Clarissa D. , Cotton-Samuel Dejania , Lao Patrick J. , Chang Julia F. , Pyne Jeffrey D. , Alshikho Mohamad J. , Lippert Rafael V. , Bista Kelsang , Hale Christiane , Edwards Natalie C. , Igwe Kay C. , Deters Kacie , Zimmerman Molly E. , Brickman Adam M.
Published: February 2024

Background

Secondary prevention clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) target amyloid accumulation in asymptomatic, amyloid-positive individuals, but it is unclear to what extent other pathophysiological processes, such as small vessel cerebrovascular disease, account for participant performance on the primary cognitive outcomes in those trials. White matter hyperintensities are areas of increased signal on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that reflect small vessel cerebrovascular disease. They are associated with cognitive functioning in older adults and with clinical presentation and course of AD, particularly when distributed in posterior brain regions. The purpose of this study was to examine to what degree regional WMH volume is associated with performance on the primary cognitive outcome measure in the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease (A4) study, a secondary prevention trial.

Methods

Data from 1791 participants (59.5% women, mean age (SD) 71.6 (4.74)) in the A4 study and the Longitudinal Evaluation of Amyloid Risk and Neurodegeneration (LEARN) companion study at the screening visit were used to quantify WMH volumes on T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR images. Cognition was assessed with the preclinical Alzheimer cognitive composite (PACC). We tested the association of total and regional WMH volumes with PACC performance, adjusting for age, education, and amyloid positivity status, with general linear models. We also considered interactions between WMH and amyloid positivity status.

Results

Increased frontal and parietal lobe WMH volume was associated with poorer performance on the PACC. While amyloid positivity was also associated with lower cognitive test scores, WMH volumes did not interact with amyloid positivity status.

Conclusion

These results highlight the potential of small vessel cerebrovascular disease to drive AD-related cognitive profiles. Measures of small vessel cerebrovascular disease should be considered when evaluating outcome in trials, both as potential effect modifiers and as a possible target for intervention or prevention.
Efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for Crohn’s disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Qiu Yunfeng , Li Changfeng , Sheng Shihou
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Small-scale clinical trials have provided evidence suggesting the effectiveness of stem-cell therapy (SCT) for patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD). The objective of the research was to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of SCT for individuals diagnosed with CD through a comprehensive review and meta-analysis.

Methods

A search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), CENTER (Cochrane Library), and Embase (Ovid) to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the impact of SCT on the occurrence of clinical remission (CR) and severe adverse events (SAE) among patients diagnosed with CD. The Cochrane Q test and estimation of I2 were used to assess heterogeneity among studies. After incorporating heterogeneity, a random-effects model was employed for data pooling.

Results

Overall, 12 RCTs involving 632 adult patients with medically refractory CD or CD-related fistula were included. In comparison with placebo or no treatment, SCT showed a greater likelihood of CR (odds ratio [OR] 2.08, 95% CI 1.39–3.12, p < 0.001) without any notable heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Consistent results were observed in subgroup analyses based on study design, patient diagnosis, source and type of stem cells, and follow-up durations, with all p-values for subgroup analyses being greater than 0.05. The occurrence of SAE was similar among patients assigned to SCT and the placebo/no treatment cohorts (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.37–1.33, p = 0.28; I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

For patients with medically refractory CD or CD-related fistula, SCT may be an alternatively effective and safe treatment.
Critically ill patients with infective endocarditis, neurological complications and indication for cardiac surgery: a multicenter propensity-adjusted study
Authors: Gros Alexandre , Seguy Benjamin , Bonnet Guillaume , Guettard Yves-Olivier , Pillois Xavier , Prevel Renaud , Orieux Arthur , Ternacle Julien , Préau Sebastien , Lavie-Badie Yoan , Coupez Elisabeth , Coudroy Rémi , Marest Delphine , Martins Raphaël P. , Gruson Didier , Tourdias Thomas , Boyer Alexandre ,   the ICE-COCA investigators, Prevel Renaud , Coste Pierre , Fukutomi Hikaru , Souweine Bertrand , Preau Sébastien , Nseir Saad , Toussaint Aurélia , Outteryck Olivier , Reignier Jean , Robert René , Martins Raphaël , Urien Jean Marie , Porte Lydie , Robin Guillaume , Charbonnier Gaëtan , Sarton Benjamine , Silva Stein
Published: February 2024

Background

The benefit–risk balance and optimal timing of surgery for severe infective endocarditis (IE) with ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes is unknown. The study aim was to compare the neurological outcome between patients receiving surgery or not.

Methods

In a prospective register-based multicenter ICU study, patients were included if they met the following criteria: (i) left-sided IE with an indication for heart surgery; (ii) with cerebral complications documented by cerebral imaging before cardiac surgery; (iii) with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score ≥ 3. Exclusion criteria were isolated right-sided IE, in-hospital acquired IE and patients with cerebral complications only after cardiac surgery. In the primary analysis, the prognostic value of surgery in term of disability at 6 month was assessed by using a propensity score-adjusted logistic regression.

Results

192 patients were included including ischemic stroke (74.5%) and hemorrhagic lesion (15.6%): 67 (35%) had medical treatment and 125 (65%) cardiac surgery. In the propensity score-adjusted logistic regression, a favorable 6-month neurological outcome was associated with surgery (odds ratio 13.8 (95% CI 6.2–33.7). The 1-year mortality was strongly reduced with surgery in the fixed-effect propensity-adjusted Cox model (hazard ratio 0.18; 95% CI 0.11–0.27; p < 0.001). These effects remained whether the patients received delayed surgery (n = 62/125) or not and whether they were deeply comatose (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 10) or not.

Conclusions

In critically ill IE patients with an indication for surgery and previous cerebral events, a better propensity-adjusted neurological outcome was associated with surgery compared with medical treatment.