bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key to species of the leafhopper genus Fistulatus Zhang, Zhang & Chen (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Drabescini) with description of a new species
Authors: HASSAN MUHAMMAD ASGHAR , SHAH BISMILLAH , XING JICHUN
Published: July 2024

A new leafhopper species: Fistulatus motuoensis Hassan & Xing sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Xizang Autonomous Region, China. A key based on the aedeagus is given to distinguish all species of the genus. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).
Improvement of Wind Power Prediction by Assimilating Principal Components of Cabin Radar Observations
Authors: Zhang Feimin , Wan Shang , Jin Shuanglong , Wang Hao
Published: July 2024

Data assimilation is an important approach to improve the prediction performance of near-surface wind and wind power. Based on the four-dimensional variational technique, this study proposes an approach to improve near-surface wind and wind power prediction by extracting and assimilating the principal components of cabin radar radial wind observations installed at wind turbines within a wind farm. The verification for a series of cases under strong and weak vertical wind shear conditions indicates that compared to the simulations without assimilation, the predicted ultra-short-term (0–4 h) mean absolute error of near-surface wind and single turbine wind power could be reduced by 0.09–1.17 m s−1 and 53–209 kW after the assimilation of radial wind directly and by 0.33–1.38 m s−1 and 62–239 kW after the assimilation of principal components. These illustrate that assimilating the principal components of radial wind is superior to assimilating radial wind directly and could obviously reduce prediction error. Further investigation suggests that extracting the principal components of radial wind has marginal influences on the density and distribution of observations, but could obviously reduce the fluctuation of the observations and the correlation among the observations. The prediction improvement by assimilating the principal components of radial wind is essentially due to the assimilation of low-frequency and low-correlation information involved in the observations.
The role of radiological imaging in the management of severe and difficult-to-treat asthma
Authors: Aigbirior Joshua , Almaghrabi Amer , Lafi Monder , Mansur Adel H.
Published: July 2024

Radiological imaging has proven to be a useful tool in the assessment of asthma, its comorbidities and potential complications. Characteristic chest radiograph and computed tomography scan findings can be seen in asthma and in other conditions that can coexist with or be misdiagnosed as asthma, including chronic rhinosinusitis, inducible laryngeal obstruction, excessive dynamic airway collapse, tracheobronchomalacia, concomitant COPD, bronchiectasis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and eosinophilic pneumonia. The identification of the characteristic radiological findings of these conditions is often essential in making the correct diagnosis and provision of appropriate management and treatment. Furthermore, radiological imaging modalities can be used to monitor response to therapy.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: an enigma
Authors: Ansari Faiz Manzar , Para Sajad Ahmad , Wani Mohammad Saleem , Bhat Arif Hamid , Khawaja Abdul Rouf , Zahir Zafirah
Published: July 2024

Background

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of urinary bladder is a rare entity of genitourinary tract which has baffled urologists worldwide. Sign and symptoms are site specific. Usually diagnosed on the basis of immunohistochemistry findings.

Case presentation

35-year-old female patient presented with gross hematuria since 10 days. Ultrasound revealed a hyperechoic mass from right lateral wall of urinary bladder. Patient was managed with complete transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry was diagnostic for inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. 2 months post-surgery patient developed recurrence, following which she was managed with partial cystectomy.

Conclusion

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor diagnosis is very challenging because of rarity of the tumor with non-specific presentation, and confirmation is done only by immunohistochemistry. Patients are usually managed with complete resection of tumor with regular follow-up.
RNA-seq validation: software for selection of reference and variable candidate genes for RT-qPCR
Authors: de Brito Márcio Wilson Dias , de Carvalho Stephanie Serafim , Mota Maria Beatriz dos Santos , Mesquita Rafael Dias
Published: July 2024

Background

Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is one of the most widely used gene expression analyses for validating RNA-seq data. This technique requires reference genes that are stable and highly expressed, at least across the different biological conditions present in the transcriptome. Reference and variable candidate gene selection is often neglected, leading to misinterpretation of the results.

Results

We developed a software named “Gene Selector for Validation” (GSV), which identifies the best reference and variable candidate genes for validation within a quantitative transcriptome. This tool also filters the candidate genes concerning the RT-qPCR assay detection limit. GSV was compared with other software using synthetic datasets and performed better, removing stable low-expression genes from the reference candidate list and creating the variable-expression validation list. GSV software was used on a real case, an Aedes aegypti transcriptome. The top GSV reference candidate genes were selected for RT-qPCR analysis, confirming that eiF1A and eiF3j were the most stable genes tested. The tool also confirmed that traditional mosquito reference genes were less stable in the analyzed samples, highlighting the possibility of inappropriate choices. A meta-transcriptome dataset with more than ninety thousand genes was also processed successfully.

Conclusion

The GSV tool is a time and cost-effective tool that can be used to select reference and validation candidate genes from the biological conditions present in transcriptomic data.
The burden of atrial fibrillation/flutter in the Middle East and North Africa region and its associated risk factors from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Yaghoubi Mohammad , Roumiani Parvaneh Hamian , Nozari Fateme , Simiyari Saba , Azarboo Alireza , Zadeh Tabatabaei Mahgol Sadat Hassan , Khadembashiri Mohamad Mehdi , Khadembashiri Mohammad Amin
Published: July 2024

Background

Atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) are the most common cardiac arrhythmias globally, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region face unique challenges in managing cardiovascular diseases, including AFF, due to diverse sociodemographic factors and healthcare infrastructure variability. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the burden of AFF in MENA from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019, a comprehensive source incorporating diverse data inputs. The study collected global, regional, and national Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR), Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR), and Age-Standardized Disability-Adjusted Rate (ASDR), Mortality across sex, age groups, and years. LOESS regression was employed to determine the relationship between age-standardized rates attributed to AFF and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI).

Results

The study found minimal change in ASIR of AFF in MENA from 1990 to 2019, with a slight increase observed in ASMR and ASDR during the same period. Notably, AFF burden was consistently higher in females compared to males, with age showing a direct positive relationship with AFF burden. Iraq, Iran, and Turkey exhibited the highest ASIR, while Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman had the highest ASMR and ASDR in 2019. Conversely, Kuwait, Libya, and Turkey displayed the lowest ASMR and ASDR rates.

Conclusion

This study underscores the persistent burden of AFF in MENA and identifies significant disparities across countries. High systolic blood pressure emerged as a prominent risk factor for mortality in AFF patients. Findings provide crucial insights for policy-making efforts, resource allocation, and intervention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the MENA region.
A danish healthcare-focused economic evaluation of first-line cryoballoon ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Hansen Morten Lock , Moss Joe W. E. , Tønnesen Jacob , Johansen Mette Lundsby , Kuniss Malte , Ismyrloglou Eleni , Andrade Jason , Wazni Oussama , Mealing Stuart , Sale Alicia , Afonso Daniela , Bromilow Tom , Lane Emily , Chierchia Gian Battista
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that first-line cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation decreases atrial tachycardia in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) compared with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effectiveness model (CEM) for first-line cryoablation compared with first-line AADs for the treatment of PAF. The model used a Danish healthcare perspective.

Methods

Individual patient-level data from the Cryo-FIRST, STOP AF and EARLY-AF RCTs were used to parameterise the CEM. The model structure consisted of a hybrid decision tree (one-year time horizon) and a Markov model (40-year time horizon, with a three-month cycle length). Health-related quality of life was expressed in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Costs and benefits were discounted at 3% per year. Model outcomes were produced using probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Results

First-line cryoablation is dominant, meaning it results in lower costs (-€2,663) and more QALYs (0.18) when compared to first-line AADs. First-line cryoablation also has a 99.96% probability of being cost-effective, at a cost-effectiveness threshold of €23,200 per QALY gained. Regardless of initial treatment, patients were expected to receive ∼ 1.2 ablation procedures over a lifetime horizon.

Conclusion

First-line cryoablation is both more effective and less costly (i.e. dominant), when compared with AADs for patients with symptomatic PAF in a Danish healthcare system.
The classification algorithms to support the management of the patient with femur fracture
Authors: Scala Arianna , Trunfio Teresa Angela , Improta Giovanni
Published: July 2024

Effectiveness in health care is a specific characteristic of each intervention and outcome evaluated. Especially with regard to surgical interventions, organization, structure and processes play a key role in determining this parameter. In addition, health care services by definition operate in a context of limited resources, so rationalization of service organization becomes the primary goal for health care management. This aspect becomes even more relevant for those surgical services for which there are high volumes. Therefore, in order to support and optimize the management of patients undergoing surgical procedures, the data analysis could play a significant role. To this end, in this study used different classification algorithms for characterizing the process of patients undergoing surgery for a femoral neck fracture. The models showed significant accuracy with values of 81%, and parameters such as Anaemia and Gender proved to be determined risk factors for the patient’s length of stay. The predictive power of the implemented model is assessed and discussed in view of its capability to support the management and optimisation of the hospitalisation process for femoral neck fracture, and is compared with different model in order to identify the most promising algorithms. In the end, the support of artificial intelligence algorithms laying the basis for building more accurate decision-support tools for healthcare practitioners.
‘Important, but difficult’: Swedish primary care professionals’ perceptions and experiences of dealing with violence against women: an interview study
Authors: Öhman Ann , Vives -Cases Carmen , Edin Kerstin
Published: July 2024

Background

Men’s violence against women is a global health problem causing physical, mental, sexual and reproductive ill-health. The World Health Organisation has estimated that every third woman in the world has been exposed to physical and/or sexual violence. Swedish primary care is central for victims of violence, as it is normally the first port of call for seeking healthcare. This requires professional competence on violence, and its causes. It also requires resources for working with violence prevention, disclosure and supportive actions. The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of how primary care professionals in Sweden deal with violence against women. We analyse their viewpoints, experiences and practices of working with violence as a health problem, and especially if, and if so how, they ask patients about violence.

Methods

A qualitative, explorative research design was adopted. Research interviews were conducted with 18 health professionals at eight primary care clinics. These clinics were located in four different regions, from the south to the north, in large urban areas, middle-size cities and rural areas. The interviews were voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews.

Results

Three themes, with a total of ten related sub-themes, were developed. These themes are: (a) Varying understandings and explanations of violence against women; (b) The tricky question of asking about violence; and (c) Multiple suggestions for improving primary care’s work with violence against women. The awareness of violence varied considerably, with some practitioners being highly knowledgeable and having integrated violence into their everyday practice, whereas others were less knowledgeable and had not paid much attention to violence. The very naming of violence seemed to be problematic. Several suggestions for improvements at professional, managerial and organisational levels were articulated.

Conclusions

The results shed important light on the professionals’ problems and struggles when dealing with violence against women in primary care. Better support and resources from the healthcare organisation, clearer leadership and more detailed policy would improve and facilitate everyday practice. All of these factors are indispensable for primary care’s work with victims of men’s violence against women.
Acute frailty services: results of a national day of care survey
Authors: Kamwa Vicky , Knight Thomas , Atkin Catherine , Cooksley Tim , Subbe Chris , Holland Mark , Lasserson Daniel , Sapey Elizabeth
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Older people living with frailty are at high risk of emergency hospital admission and often have complex care needs which may not be adequately met by conventional models of acute care. This has driven the introduction of adaptations to acute care pathways designed to improve outcomes in this patient group. The identification of differences in the organisational approach to frailty may highlight opportunities for quality improvement.

Methods

The Society for Acute Medicine Benchmarking audit is a national service evaluation which uses a single day-of-care methodology to record patient and organisational level data. All acute hospitals in the United Kingdom are eligible to participate. Emergency admissions referred to acute medical services between 00:00 and 23:59 on Thursday 23rd June 2022 were recorded. Information on the structure and operational design of acute frailty services was collected. The use of a validated frailty assessment tool, clinical frailty scale within the first 24 h of admission, assessment by an acute frailty service and clinical outcomes were reported in patients aged 70 year and above. A mixed effect generalised linear model was used to determine factors associated same-day discharge without overnight stay in patients with frailty.

Results

A total of 152 hospitals participated. There was significant heterogeneity in the operational design and staffing model of acute frailty services. The presence of an acute frailty unit was reported in 57 (42.2%) hospitals. The use of validated frailty assessment tools was reported in 117 (90.0%) hospitals, of which 107 (91.5%) used the clinical frailty scale. Patient-level data were recorded for 3604 patients aged 70 years and above. At the patient level, 1626 (45.1%) were assessed using a validated tool during the admission process. Assessment by acute frailty services was associated with an increased likelihood of same-day discharge (adjusted OR 1.55, 95%CI 1.03- 2.39).

Conclusion

There is significant variation in the provision of acute frailty services. Frailty-related policies and services are common at the organisational level but implemented inconsistently at the patient level. Older people with frailty or geriatric syndromes assessed by acute frailty services were more likely to be discharged without the need for overnight bed-based admission.
Dual-task training is as effective as functional training on the functional fitness of older women: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Aragão-Santos José C. , Behm David G. , de Moura Tatiana R. , Da Silva-Grigoletto Marzo Edir
Published: July 2024

Background

The interest in approaches that improve older individuals’ functional fitness and autonomy is increasing. However, the effects of dual-task training on older women’s functional fitness and the comparison with the functional training approach are unclear. Therefore, we compared dual-task and functional training on the functional fitness of older women and the effects of three months of detraining.

Methods

Sixty-one women performed 16 weeks of dual-task training or functional training. The functional fitness was measured pre-, post-training, and post-detraining, based on the ability to put on and take off a t-shirt, evaluating the mobility of the upper limb, standing-up from the prone position measuring the global functionality, five times sit-to-stand test to assess the lower limbs muscle power, timed up and go to measure the dynamic balance and agility, gallon-jug shelf-transfer to evaluate the global functionality emphasizing the upper limbs and 10 m walk test to analyze the gait ability.

Results

Dual-task training and functional training generally provided significant small to moderate magnitude performance increases in the put on and take off a t-shirt (dual-task training: d = 0.35 / functional training: d = 0.49), five times sit-to-stand test (dual-task training: d = 0.41 / functional training: d = 0.77), timed up and go (dual-task training: d = 0.34 / functional training: d = 0.78), and gallon-jug shelf-transfer (dual-task training: d = 0.76 / functional training: d = 0.82). Only the functional training improved the 10 m walk test (d = 0.32;p = 0.013), and both groups did not change the standing-up from the prone position performance. After the detraining period, both groups kept the adaptations for the gallon-jug shelf-transfer and five times sit-to-stand test. At the same time, only the dual-task training maintained the adaptations for the put on and take off a t-shirt and the functional training for the timed up and go.

Conclusion

Sixteen weeks of dual-task and functional training are similarly effective in improving older women’s functional fitness, maintaining their benefits even after three months of detraining.

Trial registration

RBR-10ny848z (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-10ny848z).
Diffusion spectrum imaging in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: correlation with ventricular enlargement
Authors: Wu Qian , He Wenjie , Liu Chenyuan , Yang Xiaolin , Chen Jiakuan , Xu Boyan , Zhou Xi , Huang Guodong , Xia Jun
Published: July 2024

Background

To investigate the association between white matter changes and ventricular expansion in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) based on diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI).

Methods

We included 32 patients with iNPH who underwent DSI using a 3T MRI scanner. The lateral ventricles were manually segmented, and ventricular volumes were measured. Two methods were utilised in the study: manual region-of-interest (ROI) delineation and tract diffusion profile analysis. General fractional anisotropy (GFA) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were extracted in different white matter regions, including the bilateral internal capsule (anterior and posterior limbs) and corpus callosum (body, genu, and splenium) with manual ROI delineation. The 18 main tracts in the brain of each patient were extracted; the diffusion metrics of 100 equidistant nodes on each fibre were calculated, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between diffusion measures and ventricular volume of iNPH patients.

Results

The GFA and FA of all ROI showed no significant correlation with lateral ventricular volume. However, in the tract diffusion profile analysis, lateral ventricular volume was positively correlated with part of the cingulum bundle, left corticospinal tract, and bilateral thalamic radiation posterior, whereas it was negatively correlated with the bilateral cingulum parahippocampal (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The effect of ventricular enlargement in iNPH on some white matter fibre tracts around the ventricles was limited and polarizing, and most white matter fibre tract integrity changes were not associated with ventricular enlargement; this reflects that multiple pathological mechanisms may have been combined to cause white matter alterations in iNPH.
Esophageal ganglioneuromatosis; a rare cause of intractable esophageal stenosis: a case report
Authors: Zain Mostafa , Abdelmalak Mohamed , Waheeb Saber , Mansy Mohamed , Ibrahim Amir , Sabaa Bassma El
Published: July 2024

Background

Ganglioneuromatosis is a rare type of benign neurogenic tumor that usually affects the sites of the major sympathetic ganglia in the retroperitoneum and the posterior mediastinum. Affection of the gastrointestinal tract is rare, and involvement of the esophagus is exceptional. To the best of our knowledge, only 4 cases of esophageal ganglioneuromatosis in adults were reported in the literature. No cases have been reported in the pediatric age group.

Case presentation

An 11-year-old boy presented with dysphagia due to severe esophageal stenosis caused by esophageal ganglioneuromatosis.

Conclusions

Despite its rarity, the present case implies that ganglioneuromatosis should be considered in children with idiopathic esophageal stenosis.
Analysis of the associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and screen time on psychological symptoms among university students: a cross-sectional survey based on six geographic regions in China
Authors: Deng Guo-feng , Wen Yuan , Cheng Jun , Huang Bo , Liu Ningling
Published: July 2024

Background

Declining physical activity and increasing screen time (ST) among Chinese adolescents have become major concerns shared by scholars, while mental health issues are also on the rise. Previous studies have confirmed the association between physical activity and screen time and psychological symptoms, but it is unclear how their psychological symptoms, especially for Chinese university students who have a high proportion of psychological symptoms, and no research evidence has been found.

Methods

This study investigated physical activity, screen time, and psychological symptoms in 11,173 university students aged 19–22 years in six regions of China. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time and psychological symptoms. And the generalize linear model (GLM) analysis was used to further analyze the association between MVPA and screen time and psychological symptoms.

Results

The detection rate of psychological symptoms among Chinese university students was 16.3%, with a higher percentage of female students (17.5%) than male students (14.7%). The proportion of male students (8.2%) with MVPA > 60 min/d was higher than that of female students (2.3%), and the proportion of male students (33.8%) and female students (34.5%) with screen time > 2 h/d was basically the same. The generalize linear model (GLM) analysis showed that university students with MVPA < 30 min/d and screen time > 2 h/d (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10–2.31) had the highest risk of psychological symptoms (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10–2.31) compared to university students with MVPA > 60 min/d and screen time < 1 h/d as the reference group. The risk of psychological symptoms was the highest among those with MVPA < 30 min/d and screen time > 2 h/d (OR = 1.59,95% CI: 1.10–2.31). In addition, university students with MVPA > 60 min/d and a screen time of 1–2 h/d (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03–0.25) had the lowest risk of psychological symptoms (P < 0.001). The same trend was observed for both male and female students.

Conclusion

Chinese university students have a certain proportion of psychological symptom problems, and there is a significant between MVPA and screen time and psychological symptoms, and the same trend exists for both male and female students. Chinese university students should perform MVPA for not less than 60 min a day, and at the same time control the duration of screen time, and screen time should be controlled between 1 and 2 h a day, which has a better promotion effect on psychological health.
Promoting long-acting reversible contraception among post-abortion clients with a provider-comparison intervention: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Nepal
Authors: Barofsky Jeremy , Spring Hannah , Gartoulla Pragya , Shrestha Raman , Sapkota Sabitri , McElwee Elizabeth , Church Kathryn , Datta Saugato , Livingston Karina
Published: July 2024

Background

Although long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is more effective and longer lasting than short-acting methods, uptake remains low among post-abortion clients. Using a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial, we evaluate the impact of a provider-level peer-comparison intervention to encourage choice of LARC in Nepal among post-abortion clients.

Methods

The intervention used prominently displayed monthly posters comparing the health clinic’s previous month performance on LARC uptake against peer clinics. To understand how the intervention affected behavior, while ensuring voluntarism and informed choice, we used mystery client visits, in-depth provider interviews, and client exit survey data. The trial examined 17,680 post-abortion clients in 36 clinics in Nepal from July 2016 to January 2017. The primary outcome was the proportion of clients receiving LARCs. Statistical analysis used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with ANCOVA estimation to assess the intervention’s impact on LARC uptake while controlling for client- and clinic-level characteristics.

Results

The intervention increased LARC use among post-abortion clients by 6.6% points [95% CI: 0.85 to 12.3, p-value < 0.05], a 29.5% increase in LARC use compared to control clinics. This effect persisted after the formal experiment ended. Analysis of provider and client experiences showed that the behavioral intervention generated significant change in providers’ counseling practices, motivated the sharing of best practices. Quality of care indicators either remained stable or improved.

Conclusion

We find that a provider-level behavioral intervention increases LARC uptake among post-abortion clients. This type of intervention represents a low-cost option to contribute to reducing unmet need for contraception through provider behavior change.
Promoting healthy sleep in 0-2-year-old infants: a study protocol for the development and mixed method evaluation of a sleep health program tailored to Dutch youth healthcare regions
Authors: van de Sande MPW , Gerards SMPL , L’Hoir MP , Gabrio A , Reijs RP , Tissen I , van Dam SW , Alberts FHGY , Meertens RM
Published: July 2024

Background

Sleep problems are common among infants and can have a serious impact on the health and wellbeing of both child and parents. To sustainably promote infant sleep on a population level, it is necessary to develop evidence-based programs that can be implemented on a large scale. The Youth Health Care setting, with its focus on prevention, child health promotion and services widely available for parents, can be a suitable setting to do so. Currently however, sleep health promotion in this setting seems to be suboptimal. To promote healthy infant sleep on a population level, programs need to be accessible and comprehensible for all parents, including parents with limited (health) literacy. Therefore, this study aims to develop, implement and evaluate a program called ‘Sleep on number 1’, that is tailored to Dutch Youth Health Care, to sustainably promote healthy sleep in 0-2-year-old infants.

Methods

The program was developed based on co-creation with parents and Youth Health Care professionals, evidence-based behaviour change theories and sleep health promotion methods. Program effectiveness is investigated with a quasi-experimental study design comparing the program group with the care as usual control group. Participants consist of parents of 0-2-year-old children. Primary outcome is infant sleep quality at the age of 10 weeks and 6, 9, 14 and 24 months, measured with a sleep diary. The primary data analysis focuses on night awakenings at 9 months. Secondary outcomes focus on parental behaviour regarding infant sleep, related behavioural determinants and parental satisfaction with Youth Health Care sleep advice. Program effectiveness is analysed using a linear mixed-model in case of data clustering, and an independent samples T-test or linear regression in case no substantial clustering effects are found. A mixed methods process evaluation is performed with parents and Youth Health Care professionals, assessing program reach, adoption, implementation, maintenance and working mechanisms.

Discussion

The ‘Sleep on number 1’ program is an evidence-based sleep health program for 0-2-year-old children, tailored to Dutch Youth Health Care. If effective, this program has the potential to improve infant sleep on a population level.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ISRCTN27246394, registered on 10/03/2023. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN27246394.
Negative mood is associated with sociobehavioral factors contributing to cardiovascular risk in an immigrant population
Authors: Tranby Brianna N. , Sia Irene G. , Clark Matthew M. , Novotny Paul J. , Lohr Abby M. , Pardo Laura Suarez , Patten Christi A. , Iteghete Sheila O. , Zeratsky Katherine A. , Rieck Thomas M. , Molina Luz , Capetillo Graciela Porraz , Ahmed Yahye , Dirie Hana , Wieland Mark L.
Published: July 2024

Background

After settling in the United States (US), immigrants often accumulate obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. As mood is often associated with health behaviors in the US population, mood may be an important mediating factor in immigrant populations.

Methods

The Healthy Immigrant Community (HIC) study, set in southeast Minnesota, enrolled 475 adult participants in a weight loss intervention designed to reduce cardiovascular risk. Baseline questionnaires assessed mood, nutrition, physical activity, self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity, social support, and cohesion. A single-item mood rating of poor or fair was considered “negative”, while ratings of good, very good, or excellent were considered “positive”.

Results

Hispanic/Latino (n = 268) and Somali (n = 181) adults enrolled in HIC completed baseline measures and were included in this analysis. Participants endorsing negative mood compared to positive mood had lower healthy eating scores (p = 0.02), lower physical activity levels (p = 0.03), lower confidence in eating a healthy diet (p = 0.001), and felt less of a sense of belonging to their community (p = 0.01). Those endorsing negative mood reported receiving less social support to eat healthy (p =  < 0.001) and be physically active (p = 0.01). They also accessed community resources for healthy eating (p = 0.001) and physical activity (p =  < 0.01) less frequently than participants endorsing positive mood.

Conclusions

On self-report, negative mood was associated with less healthy nutrition, lower confidence in eating healthy, sedentary lifestyle, and perceived lack of belonging to the community. Integrating mood management and self-efficacy strategies may enhance the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions to reduce obesity and cardiovascular risk among immigrants who report negative mood.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05136339; April 23, 2022.
Retraction Note: LncRNA LINC00520 aggravates cell proliferation and migration in lung adenocarcinoma via a positive feedback loop
Authors: Huang Wen , Wang Xinxing , Wu Fubing , Xu Fanggui
Published: July 2024

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-021-01657-6.
Association between Dietary total antioxidant capacity and knee osteoarthritis: a case-control study in the Iranian Population
Authors: Amirkhizi Farshad , Hamedi-Shahraki Soudabeh , Rahimlou Mehran
Published: July 2024

Aim

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic condition associated with significant pain, disability, and healthcare costs, particularly among the elderly population. Despite the considerable burden of KOA, effective treatment options for managing the condition’s underlying causes remain limited. This case-control study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted on 105 patients with confirmed KOA and 210 controls. KOA was diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) was calculated based on the ferric-reducing antioxidant power method.

Results

The mean age and BMI of the participants were 53.6 ± 8.8 years old and 27.3 ± 2.7 kg/m2, respectively. The study participant’s DTAC score ranged from 3.56 to 25.32 with a mean and SD of 12.46 ± 5.12. In the crude model, individuals in the highest quartile of DTAC score had 71% lower odds of having knee osteoarthritis compared to those in the first quartile (OR: 0.29, 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.58, P-trend < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders including age, sex, energy intake, family history of osteoarthritis, vitamin D and calcium use, physical activity level, cigarette smoking and BMI. Although the odds of having knee osteoarthritis decreased with increasing quartiles of DTAC in both sexes, this relationship was stronger among males than females.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that there was an inverse correlation between DTAC and KOA among the Iranian patients with KOA.
Cross-sectional study to evaluate patients’ medication management with a new model of care: incorporating a pharmacist into a community specialist palliative care telehealth service
Authors: M Chess-Williams Lorna , M Broadbent Andrew , Hattingh Laetitia
Published: July 2024

Background

Patients receiving palliative care are often on complex medication regimes to manage their symptoms and comorbidities and at high risk of medication-related problems. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the involvement of a pharmacist to an existing community specialist palliative care telehealth service on patients’ medication management.

Method

The specialist palliative care pharmacist attended two palliative care telehealth sessions per week over a six-month period (October 2020 to March 2021). Attendance was allocated based on funding received. Data collected from the medication management reviews included prevalence of polypharmacy, number of inappropriate medication according to the Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions in Frail adults with limited life expectancy criteria (STOPP/FRAIL) and recommendations on deprescribing, symptom control and medication management.

Results

In total 95 patients participated in the pharmaceutical telehealth service with a mean age of 75.2 years (SD 10.67). Whilst 81 (85.3%) patients had a cancer diagnosis, 14 (14.7%) had a non-cancer diagnosis. At referral, 84 (88.4%, SD 4.57) patients were taking ≥ 5 medications with 51 (53.7%, SD 5.03) taking ≥ 10 medications. According to STOPP/FRAIL criteria, 142 potentially inappropriate medications were taken by 54 (56.8%) patients, with a mean of 2.6 (SD 1.16) inappropriate medications per person. Overall, 142 recommendations were accepted from the pharmaceutical medication management review including 49 (34.5%) related to deprescribing, 20 (14.0%) to medication-related problems, 35 (24.7%) to symptom management and 38 (26.8%) to medication administration.

Conclusion

This study provided evidence regarding the value of including a pharmacist in palliative care telehealth services. Input from the pharmacist resulted in improved symptom management of community palliative care patients and their overall medication management.
Questionnaire survey on cervical cancer screening and HPV awareness among patients at a local cancer center in Japan
Authors: Nakamura Kazuto , Kigure Keiko , Nishimura Toshio , Yamashita Soichi
Published: July 2024

Background

The incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is increasing in Japan. Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cancer screening are crucial in preventing cancer-related mortality, the cervical cancer screening rate in Japan was only approximately 43.6% in 2022. This study aimed to conduct an epidemiological analysis of cervical cancer by collecting data from individual patients.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was administered to patients who visited our hospital between January 2017 and July 2023 owing to abnormal cervical cytological findings or a cancer diagnosis. Patients answered questions regarding their history of cervical cancer screening as well as their knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer.

Results

During the study period, 471 patients participated in the survey, with 35 declining to participate. Patients with Stage 1b1–4b primarily sought medical attention due to self-reported symptoms (P < 0.001); however, they were less likely to have undergone cervical cancer screening (P < 0.001). Additionally, older patients were less likely to be aware of the association of HPV with cervical and other cancers. Notably, 28 of the 129 patients with stage 1b1–4b cancer underwent cervical cancer screening within 2 years. The tumor location within the endocervical canal emerged as a significant factor contributing to the difficulty for an accurate diagnosis of precancerous or cervical cancer during cervical screening. Furthermore, non- squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) histology was another possible factor.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the need to widely disseminate information regarding the significance of cancer screening to increase cancer screening rates. Moreover, establishing strategies for improving the accuracy of detecting lesions during screening for non-SCC and endocervical canal tumors is crucial.
Nurse managers’ managerial innovation and it’s relation to proactivity behavior and locus of control among intensive care nurses
Authors: Elbus Loly Mohamed Shawky , Mostafa Mohamed Gamal , Mahmoud Fatma Zaghloul , shaban Mostafa , Mahmoud Seham Aly
Published: July 2024

Background

The nursing profession is undergoing rapid transformation, requiring innovation in management approaches and proactive behaviors among staff. Nurse Managers play a vital role through managerial innovation, but its impacts on intensive care nurses’ proactivity and locus of control remain underexplored.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the levels of Nurse Managers’ managerial innovation and relate it to proactivity behaviors and locus of control orientations among intensive care nurses.

Methods

A cross-sectional correlational design was adopted, recruiting 242 intensive care nurses from Tanta University Hospital, Egypt. Participants completed standardized questionnaires measuring perceived managerial innovation, proactivity behavior, and locus of control.

Results

Nurse Managers demonstrated moderately high innovation across all dimensions, especially in continuous learning and development (mean = 4.65) and advanced technology use (mean = 4.56). Nurses exhibited sound proactivity levels, particularly in adaptability (mean = 4.40) and planning (mean = 4.35). The majority of nurses showed an internal locus of control (64.5%). Managerial innovation had significant positive correlations with nurses’ proactivity (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) and internal locus of control (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed age, gender, experience, education, and ICU type as significant predictors of proactivity and locus of control.

Conclusion

Innovative nursing leadership positively influences staff’s proactivity levels and perceived control over their practice. This underscores the vital role of nurse managers in creating empowering environments in intensive care.
Health-economic evaluation of orthogeriatric co-management for patients with forearm or humerus fractures: an analysis of insurance claims data from Germany
Authors: Henken Espen , König Hans-Helmut , Becker Clemens , Büchele Gisela , Friess Thomas , Jaensch Andrea , Rapp Kilian , Rothenbacher Dietrich , Konnopka Claudia
Published: July 2024

Orthogeriatric co-management (OGCM) describes a collaboration of orthopedic surgeons and geriatricians for the treatment of fragility fractures in geriatric patients. While its cost-effectiveness for hip fractures has been widely investigated, research focusing on fractures of the upper extremities is lacking. Thus, we conducted a health economic evaluation of treatment in OGCM hospitals for forearm and humerus fractures.

In a retrospective cohort study with nationwide health insurance claims data, we selected the first inpatient stay due to a forearm or humerus fracture in 2014–2018 either treated in hospitals that were able to offer OGCM (OGCM group) or not (non-OGCM group) and applied a 1-year follow-up. We included 31,557 cases with forearm (63.1% OGCM group) and 39,093 cases with humerus fractures (63.9% OGCM group) and balanced relevant covariates using entropy balancing. We investigated costs in different health sectors, length of stay, and cost-effectiveness regarding total cost per life year or fracture-free life year gained.

In both fracture cohorts, initial hospital stay, inpatient stay, and total costs were higher in OGCM than in non-OGCM hospitals. For neither cohort nor effectiveness outcome, the probability that treatment in OGCM hospitals was cost-effective exceeded 95% for a willingness-to-pay of up to €150,000.

We did not find distinct benefits of treatment in OGCM hospitals. Assigning cases to study groups on hospital-level and using life years and fracture-free life years, which might not adequately reflect the manifold ways these fractures affect the patients’ health, as effectiveness outcomes, might have underestimated the effectiveness of treatment in OGCM hospitals.
Determination of the impacts of supplemental dietary curcumin on post-partum uterine involution using pulsed-wave doppler ultrasonography in Zaraibi goat
Authors: Madbouly Hager , El-Shahat K. H. , Abdelnaby Elshymaa A. , El-Sherbiny Hossam R. , Fathi Mohamed
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of supplemental dietary curcumin on post-partum uterine involution using pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography in postpartum goats. Ten pluriparous Zaraibi goats were used and divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 5; control) received only a base diet. Group 2 (n = 5; treated) received a base diet supplemented with curcumin (200 mg/kg diet) daily for 28 days, starting from day 1 postpartum (PP) till day 28 PP. Uterine morphometrical changes (uterine horn diameter; UHD and caruncle diameter; CD), uterine hemodynamics (resistance and pulsatility indices (RI and PI), systolic/ diastolic ratio (S/D), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), blood flow volume (BFV), and blood flow rate (BFR)), and progesterone level were evaluated. Results revealed that the diameter of the uterine horn decreased rapidly from day 1 to day 10 PP (> 50%) but more steadily from day 14 to day 28 PP in both groups. After day 21 PP, there was nearly no reduction in UHD and CD in both groups. The treated group had lower values of the RI and PI (P < 0.05) than the control group. Regarding the BFR and BFV in the treated group, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) on day 17 PP, then started to decrease till day 28 PP. While in the control group, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in BFR and BFV from day 1 PP till day 28 PP. In conclusion, the incorporation of curcumin in the diet of PP Zaraibi goats improved reproductive performance via improvements in uterine morphometric changes as well as blood perfusion.
Preparation and in vivo and ex vivo studies of sirolimus nano-in-situ gel ophthalmic formulation
Authors: Liu Ye , Chen Xu , Chen Xinghao , Chen Jie , Zhang Han , Xu Haonan , Jin Lu , Wang Qiao , Tang Zhan
Published: July 2024

Sirolimus (SR) is a macrolide with antifungal and antitumor immunosuppressant properties, classified as a selective inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In this study, an ionic in situ gel of SR (SR-SUS-ISG) was formulated using gellan gum, exhibiting stability regardless of temperature and pH variations, causing minimal irritation. Harnessing the physiological conditions of the eye, SR-SUS-ISG underwent gelation upon contact with ions, increasing drug viscosity and prolonging retention on the ocular surface. Concurrently, SR-SUS-ISG displayed favorable shear dilution properties, reducing viscosity at ambient temperature, enhancing fluidity, and facilitating convenient packaging and transport. Biocompatibility assessments on both human corneal epithelial cells and rabbit eyes demonstrated that SR-SUS-ISG could well be tolerated. Pharmacokinetic investigations in rabbit ocular aqueous humor revealed sustained release, improved corneal penetration, and enhanced bioavailability. Additionally, in a rat corneal alkali burn model, SR-SUS-ISG exhibited inhibitory effects on corneal neovascularization, associated with decreased levels of the inflammatory factors VEGF and MMPs. These findings suggested that SR-SUS-ISG held promise as an effective ocular drug delivery system.

Graphical Abstract
A pH-triggered N-oxide polyzwitterionic nano-drug loaded system for the anti-tumor immunity activation research
Authors: Zhao Yan , Bai Yuansong , Li Mei , Nie Xin , Meng Hao , Shosei Shimizu , Liu Linlin , Yang Qingbiao , Shen Meili , Li Yapeng
Published: July 2024

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the characteristics of low immune cell infiltration, high expression of tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and abundant cancer stem cells. Systemic toxicity of traditional chemotherapy drugs due to poor drug selectivity, and chemotherapy failure due to tumor drug resistance and other problems, so it is particularly important to find new cancer treatment strategies for TNBC with limited treatment options. Both the anti-tumor natural drugs curcumin and ginsenoside Rg3 can exert anti-tumor effects by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells, reducing PD-L1 expression, and reducing cancer stem cells. However, they have the disadvantages of poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and weak anti-tumor effect of single agents. We used vinyl ether bonds to link curcumin (Cur) with N-O type zwitterionic polymers and at the same time encapsulated ginsenoside Rg3 to obtain hyperbranched zwitterionic drug-loaded micelles OPDEA-PGED-5HA@Cur@Rg3 (PPH@CR) with pH response. In vitro cell experiments and in vivo animal experiments have proved that PPH@CR could not only promote the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and increase the CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells by inducing ICD in tumor cells but also reduce the expression of PD-L1 in tumor tissues, and reduce cancer stem cells and showed better anti-tumor effects and good biological safety compared with free double drugs, which is a promising cancer treatment strategy.