bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing unrealised potential for organ donation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Ho Andrew Fu Wah , Tan Timothy Xin Zhong , Latiff Ejaz , Shahidah Nur , Ng Yih Yng , Leong Benjamin Sieu-Hon , Lim Shir Lynn , Pek Pin Pin , Gan Han Nee , Mao Desmond Renhao , Chia Michael Yih Chong , Cheah Si Oon , Tham Lai Peng , Ong Marcus Eng Hock 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundOrgan donation after brain death is the standard practice in many countries. Rates are low globally. This study explores the potential national number of candidates for uncontrolled donations after cardiac death (uDCD) amongst out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients and the influence of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) on the candidacy of these potential organ donors using Singapore as a case study.MethodsUsing Singapore data from the Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study, we identified all non-traumatic OHCA cases from 2010 to 2016. Four established criteria for identifying uDCD candidates (Madrid, San Carlos Madrid, Maastricht and Paris) were retrospectively applied onto the population. Within these four groups, a condensed ECPR eligibility criteria was employed and thereafter, an estimated ECPR survival rate was applied, extrapolating for possible neurologically intact survivors had ECPR been administered.Results12,546 OHCA cases (64.8% male, mean age 65.2 years old) qualified for analysis. The estimated number of OHCA patients who were eligible for uDCD ranged from 4.3 to 19.6%. The final projected percentage of potential uDCD donors readjusted for ECPR survivors was 4.2% (Paris criteria worst-case scenario,n = 532) to 19.4% of all OHCA cases (Maastricht criteria best-case scenario,n = 2428), for an estimated 14.3 to 65.4 uDCD donors per million population per year (pmp/year).ConclusionsIn Singapore case study, we demonstrated the potential numbers of candidates for uDCD among resuscitated OHCA cases. This sizeable pool of potential donors demonstrates the potential for an uDCD program to expand the organ donor pool. A small proportion of these patients might however survive had they been administered ECPR. Further research into the factors influencing local organ and patient outcomes following uDCD and ECPR is indicated.
Comparing methods to secure a tracheal tube placed via a surgical cricothyroidotomy: a randomised controlled study in cadavers
Authors: Groombridge Christopher J , Maini Amit , Mathew Joseph , Kim Yesul , Fitzgerald Mark , Smit De Villiers , O’Reilly Gerard 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Objective
In the ‘can’t intubate can’t oxygenate’ scenario, techniques to achieve front of neck access to the airway have been described in the literature but there is a lack of guidance on the optimal method for securing the tracheal tube (TT) placed during this procedure. The aim of this study was to compare three different methods of securing a TT to prevent extubation following a surgical cricothyroidotomy.

Methods
A randomised controlled trial was undertaken. The population studied were emergency physicians (EPs) attending a cadaveric airway course. The intervention was securing a TT placed via a surgical cricothyroidotomy by suture. The comparison was securing the TT using fabric tape with two different tying techniques. The primary outcome was the force required to extubate the trachea. The trial was registered with ANZCTR.org.au (ACTRN12621000320853).

Results
17 emergency physicians completed intubations using all three of the securing methods on 12 cadavers for a total of 51 experiments. The mean extubation force was 6.54 KG (95 % CI 5.54–7.55) in the suture group compared with 2.28 KG (95 % CI 1.91–2.64) in the ‘Wilko tie’ group and 2.12 KG (95 % CI 1.63–2.60) in the ‘Lark’s foot tie’ group; The mean difference between the suture and fabric tie techniques was significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Following a surgical cricothyroidotomy in cadavers, EPs were able to effectively secure a TT using a suture technique, and this method was superior to tying the TT using fabric tape.
Educational films for improving screening and self-management of gestational diabetes in India and Uganda (GUIDES): study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Oakley Laura L. , R Deepa , Namara Arthur , Sahu Biswamitra , Nadal Iliatha Papachristou , Ana Yamuna , Coombe Helen , Oteng-Ntim Eugene , Seeley Janet , Nyirenda Moffat , Babu Giridhar , Kinra Sanjay 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rising rapidly in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most women with GDM in LMICs are undiagnosed and/or inadequately managed due to a lack of knowledge and skills about GDM on the part of both providers and patients. Following contextual analysis, we developed an educational/behavioural intervention for GDM delivered through a package of culturally tailored films. This trial aims to evaluate whether the intervention can improve the timely detection and management of GDM in two LMIC settings.

Methods
Two independent cluster randomised controlled trials, one each to be conducted in Uganda and India. Thirty maternity facilities in each country have been recruited to the study and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention and control arms. The intervention comprises of three interconnected sets of films with the following aims: to improve knowledge of GDM guidelines and skills of health providers, to raise awareness of GDM screening among pregnant women and their families, and to improve confidence and skills in self-management among those diagnosed with GDM. In facilities randomised to the intervention arm, a GDM awareness-raising film will be shown in antenatal care waiting rooms, and four films for pregnant women with GDM will be shown in group settings and made available for viewing on mobile devices. Short films for doctors and nurses will be presented at professional development meetings. Data will be collected on approximately 10,000 pregnant women receiving care at participating facilities, with follow-up at 32 weeks gestational age and 6 weeks postnatally. Women who self-report a GDM diagnosis will be invited for a clinic visit at 34 weeks. Primary outcomes are (a) the proportion of women who report a GDM diagnosis by 32 weeks of pregnancy and (b) glycaemic control (fasting glucose and HbA1C) in women with GDM at ~34 weeks of pregnancy. The secondary outcome is a composite measure of GDM-related adverse perinatal-neonatal outcome.

Discussion
Screening and management of GDM are suboptimal in most LMICs. We hypothesise that a scalable film-based intervention has the potential to improve the timely detection and management of GDM in varied LMIC settings.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03937050, registered on 3 May 2019. Clinical Trials Registry India CTRI/2020/02/023605, registered on 26 February 2020.
Patient and public involvement in numerical aspects of trials (PoINT): exploring patient and public partners experiences and identifying stakeholder priorities
Authors: Goulao Beatriz , Bruhn Hanne , Campbell Marion , Ramsay Craig , Gillies Katie 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background and aims
Patient and public involvement is increasingly common in trials, but its quality remains variable in a lot of settings. Many key decisions in trials involve numbers, but patients are rarely involved in those discussions. We aimed to understand patient and public partners’ experiences and opinions regarding their involvement in numerical aspects of research and discuss and identify priorities, according to multiple stakeholders, around the most important numerical aspects in trials to involve patients and the public in.

Methods
The study had two stages: (1) online focus groups with patient and public partners recruited via online platforms and analysed using inductive thematic analysis and (2) online priority setting meeting with UK- and Ireland-based stakeholders and following James Lind Alliance methodology. Pre-selected numerical aspects were introduced prior to the meeting and discussed and prioritised based on a voting system.

Results
In stage 1, we held two focus groups with patient and public partners (n = 9). We identified four themes in the analysis: “Determinants of PPI in numerical aspects”, “Identity and roles”, “Impact of involving patients and the public in numerical aspects”. Patient and public partners believed being involved in numerical aspects of research is important and should be facilitated, but communication about these aspects needs to be clearer. An environment and relationship with researchers that facilitates that will include time for discussion, support to improve knowledge and confidence, clear language and definitions and trust. Patient and public partners perceive their role as bringing an outsider perspective and were mainly interested in involvement in assumptions and dissemination of quantitative research. They believed this can lead to more transparency and improve their experience by making involvement more meaningful.
In stage 2, we identified twelve numerical aspects of trials to be prioritised. We held a priority setting meeting with 14 stakeholders, which led to the selection of three priority numerical aspects in patient and public involvement: target differences, interpretation of results and cost-effectiveness. Participants felt all aspects should be considered for involvement and their communication needs to ensure a shared level of understanding to avoid power imbalances.

Conclusions
Our work shows the importance of involving patient and public partners in numerical aspects of trials by assessing their experiences and motivations for the first time and discussing and prioritising which numerical aspects of trials are the most important for patients and the public to contribute to. Our research provides a platform for future efforts to improve patient and public involvement in trials and a prioritised set of future research foci.
Resiliency Engagement and Care in Health (REaCH): a telephone befriending intervention for upskilled rural youth in the context of COVID-19 pandemic—study protocol for a multi-centre cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Devassy Saju Madavanakadu , Allagh Komal Preet , Benny Anuja Maria , Scaria Lorane , Cheguvera Natania , Sunirose I. P. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
The lockdown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to impact people’s mental health, especially those from economically disadvantaged and vulnerable sections of society. Mental health can be affected by many factors, including fear of disease transmission, from response measures against the pandemic like social distancing, movement restriction, fear of being in quarantine, loneliness, depression due to isolation, fear of losing work and livelihood and avoiding health care due to fear of being infected. Telephonic befriending intervention by non-specialists will be used to provide social and emotional support to the youth from the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY), an initiative of the Government of India. This study aims to promote mental wellbeing and reduce depressive symptoms by assisting participants to mobilise social support from family, friends and significant others by using the telephonic befriending intervention.

Methods
In this article, we report the design and protocol of a multi-centre cluster randomised controlled trial. In total, 1440 participants aged 18–35 years who have recently completed their course out of the DDU-GKY initiative will be recruited in the study from 12 project-implementing agencies (PIAs) across six geographical zones of India. Participants from 6 of these agencies will be assigned to the telephonic befriending intervention arm, and the other six agency participants will be assigned to the general enquiry phone call arm (control). The primary outcomes of this study are mental wellbeing, depressive symptoms and perceived social support. Baseline assessments and follow-up assessments will be carried out 1 month following the intervention using WHO-5, PHQ and MSPSS-12 questionnaires. The befriending intervention will be provided by DDU-GKY staff, whom a virtual training programme will train.

Discussion
This trial will help assess whether participants who are offered emotional, social and practical support through befriending will experience lesser symptoms of depression and better mental health compared to participants who do not receive this intervention through mobilised social support from friends, family and others.

Trial registration
Clinical Trial Registry India (ICMR-NIMS) CTRICTRI/2020/07/026834. Registered on 27 July 2020.
The efficacy of Tuina with herbal ointment for patients with post-stroke depression: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tao Jiming , Kong Lingjun , Fang Min , Zhu Qingguang , Zhang Shuaipan , Zhang Sicong , Wu Jiajia , Shan Chunlei , Feng Ling , Guo Qingjuan , Wu Zhiwei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundPost-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication after stroke which hinders functional recovery and return to social participation of stroke patients. Efficacy of conventional drug therapies for patients with PSD is still uncertain. Therefore, many patients prefer to use complementary and alternative therapies for PSD. Tuina (traditional Chinese manual manipulation) with herbal ointment is an integration of manual therapy, and ointment is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy. Preliminary experiments have shown that the Tuina with herbal ointment can improve the mental state of patients with PSD. The purpose of this study is to observe and verify the efficacy of Tuina combined with herbal ointment for patients with post-stroke depression, and to lay a foundation for further research on its mechanism of action.Methods/designIn this study, a randomized controlled trial will be conducted in parallel, including two intervention groups: Tuina with herbal ointment group and herbal ointment for control group. A total of 84 eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the groups in a 1:1 ratio. All participants will receive conventional antidepressant venlafaxine treatment (75 mg QD), on which they received two different interventions. The interventions for both groups will be carried out 5 times each week for a period of 2 weeks. The primary outcome will be the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). Secondary outcomes will include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), as well as 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). They will be assessed at the baseline, at the end of the intervention (2 weeks), and during the 1 month and 3 months of follow-up by repeated measures analysis of variance. The significance level is 5%. Adverse events will be monitored at each visit to assess safety. All outcomes will be assessed and analyzed by researchers blinded to the treatment allocation. The purpose of this study will focus on observing the efficacy of Tuina with herbal ointment for patients with post-stroke depression, and to explore further the mechanisms of its effects.DiscussionThis study may evaluate clinical application value and safety of Tuina with herbal ointment in PSD patients, which can provide basis for clinical research and mechanism exploration of PSD.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial RegistryChiCTR2000033887. Registered on 15 June 2020.DisseminationThe results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated through the study’s website and conferences.
Addressing the liver progenitor cell response and hepatic oxidative stress in experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using amniotic epithelial cells
Authors: Goonetilleke Mihiri , Kuk Nathan , Correia Jeanne , Hodge Alex , Moore Gregory , Gantier Michael P. , Yeoh George , Sievert William , Lim Rebecca 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease globally and in its inflammatory form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, patient education and lifestyle changes are the major tools to prevent the continued progression of NASH. Emerging therapies in NASH target known pathological processes involved in the progression of the disease including inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) were previously shown to be beneficial in experimental models of chronic liver injury, reducing hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that liver progenitor cells (LPCs) response plays a significant role in the development of fibrosis and HCC in mouse models of fatty liver disease. In this study, we examined the effect hAECs have on the LPC response and hepatic oxidative stress in an experimental model of NASH.

Methods
Experimental NASH was induced in C57BL/6 J male mice using a high-fat, high fructose diet for 42 weeks. Mice received either a single intraperitoneal injection of 2 × 106 hAECs at week 34 or an additional hAEC dose at week 38. Changes to the LPC response and oxidative stress regulators were measured.

Results
hAEC administration significantly reduced the expansion of LPCs and their mitogens, IL-6, IFNγ and TWEAK. hAEC administration also reduced neutrophil infiltration and myeloperoxidase production with a concurrent increase in heme oxygenase-1 production. These observations were accompanied by a significant increase in total levels of anti-fibrotic IFNβ in mice treated with a single dose of hAECs, which appeared to be independent of c-GAS-STING activation.

Conclusions
Expansion of liver progenitor cells, hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress associated with experimental NASH were attenuated by hAEC administration. Given that repeated doses did not significantly increase efficacy, future studies assessing the impact of dose escalation and/or timing of dose may provide insights into clinical translation.
The geography of body size in cuttlefishes (Cephalopoda, Sepiidae)
Authors: Neige Pascal 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study explores body size in sepiids (Cephalopoda, Sepiidae) on the interspecific scale and provides an overview of their geographical distribution. Results reveal a highly skewed distribution of body size variation for raw values and a nearly normal distribution for log-transformed data. However, normality is not statistically validated due to the overrepresentation of small and large species. The geographical distribution of sepiids reveals five main clusters: Atlantic, Cape Basin, Indian Ocean, Asia-Pacific, and Australian. On average, clusters display more or less the same mean body size pattern except the Cape Basin cluster, which is statistically different from the others (smaller interspecific mean body size). The reasons remain unclear but a phylogenetic effect is suspected as southwest African coastal waters concentrate species from the ‘Hemisepius’ complex which is made up of small species. Sepiids do not obey Bergmann’s rule: species from high latitudes do not tend to be larger than species from low latitudes.
Musical note onset detection based on a spectral sparsity measure
Authors: Mounir Mina , Karsmakers Peter , van Waterschoot Toon 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIf music is the language of the universe, musical note onsets may be the syllables for this language. Not only do note onsets define the temporal pattern of a musical piece, but their time-frequency characteristics also contain rich information about the identity of the musical instrument producing the notes. Note onset detection (NOD) is the basic component for many music information retrieval tasks and has attracted significant interest in audio signal processing research. In this paper, we propose an NOD method based on a novel feature coined as Normalized Identification of Note Onset based on Spectral Sparsity (NINOS2). The NINOS2 feature can be thought of as a spectral sparsity measure, aiming to exploit the difference in spectral sparsity between the different parts of a musical note. This spectral structure is revealed when focusing on low-magnitude spectral components that are traditionally filtered out when computing note onset features. We present an extensive set of NOD simulation results covering a wide range of instruments, playing styles, and mixing options. The proposed algorithm consistently outperforms the baseline Logarithmic Spectral Flux (LSF) feature for the most difficult group of instruments which are the sustained-strings instruments. It also shows better performance for challenging scenarios including polyphonic music and vibrato performances.
On some inequalities in 2-metric spaces
Authors: Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we establish new inequalities in the setting of 2-metric spaces and provide their geometric interpretations. Some of our results are extensions of those obtained by Dragomir and Goşa (J. Indones. Math. Soc. 11(1):33–38, 2005) in the setting of metric spaces.
Existence criteria via α–ψ-contractive mappings of φ-fractional differential nonlocal boundary value problems
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Qamar , Hussain Azhar 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn the existing study, we investigate the criteria of existence of solution for relatively new categories of φ-Caputo fractional differential equations and inclusions problems equipped with nonlocal φ-integral boundary conditions. In order to achieve the desired goal, we use α–ψ-contractive mappings and the theory of approximate endpoint. In the final stage, we exhibit some examples to provide the illustrations of our theoretical findings.
Bivariate Chebyshev polynomials of the fifth kind for variable-order time-fractional partial integro-differential equations with weakly singular kernel
Authors: Sadri Khadijeh , Hosseini Kamyar , Baleanu Dumitru , Ahmadian Ali , Salahshour Soheil 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe shifted Chebyshev polynomials of the fifth kind (SCPFK) and the collocation method are employed to achieve approximate solutions of a category of the functional equations, namely variable-order time-fractional weakly singular partial integro-differential equations (VTFWSPIDEs). A pseudo-operational matrix (POM) approach is developed for the numerical solution of the problem under study. The suggested method changes solving the VTFWSPIDE into the solution of a system of linear algebraic equations. Error bounds of the approximate solutions are obtained, and the application of the proposed scheme is examined on five problems. The results confirm the applicability and high accuracy of the method for the numerical solution of fractional singular partial integro-differential equations.