bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity promotion intervention improved physical activity knowledge, confidence and behaviour among diverse immigrant women: pre–post multiple methods feasibility study
Authors: Iziduh Sharon , Lee Jocelyn , Umutoni Bora , Brahmbhatt Priya , Sabiston Catherine M , Friedenreich C M , Khanlou Nazilla , Smith-Turchyn Jenna , Tomasone Jennifer R , Gagliardi Anna R 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesLittle prior research investigated how to promote physical activity (PA), which can reduce cancer risk, to immigrant women. The overall aim of the current study was to pilot test education session feasibility. The objectives were to assess participation in, satisfaction with and potential impact of the education session, knowledge needed to refine the education session prior to a future trial.DesignPre–post multiple-methods comparative cohort,SettingCanadian immigrant settlement agencies recruited intervention and control women.ParticipantsIntervention: 60 baseline, 53 education (49 virtual group, 4 video only), 1 month (43 virtual, 4 video), 6 months (38 virtual, 4 video), 37% African black; control: 41, 32% African black.ResultsAmong intervention women, PA knowledge increased significantly from baseline at 1 (p<0.001) and 6 (p=0.01) months, as did PA confidence at both time points (p<0.001). PA behaviour increased significantly from baseline at 1 and 6 months for (p<0.001), moderate (p=0.02) and mild (p=0.05) intensity PA. Total PA metabolic equivalent units (METs) also increased significantly from baseline at both time points (p=0.01). PA confidence (p=0.002) and behaviour assessed by weekly minutes of vigorous (p=0.04, n2=0.05) and moderate (p=0.005) intensity PA, and total PA METs (p=0.01) were significantly greater among intervention women compared with control women. PA knowledge was greater among intervention women compared with control women but not significantly (p=0.8).ConclusionsThe findings underscore an important health promotion role for community agencies, which may interest policy-makers, healthcare leaders and health promotion specialists.
Study protocol of Elective Para-aortic and pelvic versus Pelvic only Irradiation in pelvic node positive Cervical cancer: a multicentric open labelled phase III randomised controlled trial (EPIC Study)
Authors: Shinghal Abhishek , Pradhan Satyajit , Chopra Supriya , Kapoor Ankita Rungta , Gupta Ankita , Mittal Prachi , Saini Vinay , Jain Jeevanshu , Sanju Sanju , Kapoor Akhil , Giridhar Prashanth , Pujari Lincoln , Chowdhury Zachariah , Gupta Sudeep 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThe revision of International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics staging in 2018 with recommendations to include cross-sectional imaging and a separate stage for node positive disease have opened a lot of uncertainties in implementing the correct treatment approach in these patients. While studies have suggested higher chances of occult para-aortic lymph node (PALN) even with advanced imaging, especially in pelvic node positive disease which tend to recur after pelvic radiation therapy. This study intends to study these patients and isolate the subset who will benefit most from elective PALN irradiation.Methods and analysisThis is an ongoing multicentric phase III randomised controlled trial with a sample size of 274 subjects in two arms (137 in each arm) to determine the superiority of limited elective para-aortic irradiation compared with no irradiation. Arm one includes radiation to the lower PALN and pelvis; Arm two includes radiation to the pelvis. Concurrent chemotherapy followed by brachytherapy is standard in both arms. Patients with cervical cancer and radiologically positive pelvic LNs aged>18 years and<70 years are screened for the study. The primary endpoint of this study is 3-year disease-free survival. The secondary endpoints include 3-year para-aortic recurrence-free survival, 3-year distant metastasis-free survival, 3-year overall survival, acute and late toxicity, quality of life. Translational study to evaluate systemic immune response by FAPI-PETCT (fibroblast activator protein inhibitor positron emission tomography) and assessment of p16, L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) and protein death ligand-1 (PDL-1) expression by immunohistochemistry.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the institutional ethics committee and will be routinely monitored according to standard guidelines. The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presented at conferences and submitted to regulatory authorities.Trial registration numberThe study was registered on 17 January 2022 under CTRI/2022/01/039495 (http://ctri.nic.in).
Investigating disease awareness of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka to inform public health services: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gunasekara Sonali Dinushika , Agampodi Thilini Chanchala , Weerasinghe Manjula , Fernando Manoj Sanjeewa , Price Helen Philippa , Wickramasinghe Nuwan Darshana , Agampodi Suneth Buddhika 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveTo assess community awareness of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in a disease-endemic district in Sri Lanka.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.SettingThis study was conducted in selected 158 Grama Niladhari divisions covering all the 22 Divisional Secretariat areas of the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.Sampling technique and participantsA probability sample of households was selected using multistage cluster sampling. Adults (≥18 years) who resided permanently in the Anuradhapura district during the data collection period were eligible, and individuals who could not comprehend or respond to the questions were excluded. The primary or secondary healthcare-related decision-maker of 1555 households participated in the study, in which 1479 (95.1%) were Sinhalese in ethnicity, including 1157 (74.4%) females.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was ‘CL awareness,’ operationalised by awareness of the disease name, transmission mode and the primary disease characteristic based on a systematic expert consensus approach. Secondary outcome measures included awareness and perceptions of CL curability, treatment centres and perceived susceptibility.ResultsOnly 3.6% (n=56) demonstrated CL awareness based on the definition. We observed low disease awareness even among people who claimed having CL or previously had the disease (n=6, 27.3%). While 1065 (68.5%) had heard the correct name (‘leishmaniasis’) or the local name (‘wæli mæssāgē leḍē’) for the disease, only 224 (21.0%) out of that knew the mode of transmission and 128 (12.0%) the chronic nature of CL skin lesions, respectively. Among the respondents with CL awareness (n=56), 42 (75.0%), 54 (96.4%) and 44 (88.0%) perceived CL as curable, were aware of treatment centres and expressed self-perceived susceptibility, respectively. Despite 423 (46.4%) who claimed to know more beyond the disease name, only 35 (8.3%) demonstrated actual CL awareness.ConclusionFindings highlight significantly low CL awareness in the disease-endemic Anuradhapura district, and we recommend developing evidence-based, context-specific public health interventions targeting CL awareness gaps.
MuSic Moves—co-creating a music-supported exercise programme with and for people with multiple sclerosis: a bicentre participatory mixed methods study
Authors: Fasching Bernhard , Mildner Sarah , Fink Franziska , Wanitschek Andreas , Hotz Isabella , Langweil Nadine , Monschein Tobias , Berger Thomas , Brenneis Christian , Leutmezer Fritz , Seebacher Barbara 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesTo collaboratively develop a music-supported video-based exercise programme for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) with mild to severe disability.Design and settingWe performed this participatory mixed methods study from 15 March 2022 to 22 July 2023 at two Austrian multiple sclerosis (MS) centres.ParticipantsThis research included 67 pwMS, of whom 18 pwMS (including two patient representatives and five MS support group leaders/members) and an additional three family members served as stakeholders. Six neurologists and six physiotherapists, each with >5 years of experience in treating pwMS were interviewed.InterventionStakeholders actively participated as members of study advisory, project steering and research groups. Researcher-supported peer-to-peer focus groups and individual interviews, conducted in three stages, gathered information on musical preferences and exercise needs. We co-developed, co-evaluated and co-adapted the music-supported exercise programme with the stakeholders. Involvement levels were measured using the Participation Check and Patient Public Involvement (PPI) Assessment Survey, self-efficacy with the Unidimensional Self-Efficacy Scale for Multiple Sclerosis and emotional states with the Self-Assessment Manikin.ResultsWe identified four themes through reflexive thematic analysis: (1) engagement; (2) ease; (3) autonomy; (4) musical meaning. Integration of qualitative and quantitative components highlighted the success of PPI activities: (a) 148 co-created, free videos are publicly available; (b) four videos provide expert interviews with general information, while 144 offer music-supported exercises tailored to pwMS with mild to severe disability; (c) patients found the videos relevant, feasible and usable in interviews and focus groups; (d) ‘easy’ category exercises (seated or lying) are suitable for severely affected pwMS; (e) stakeholders felt included, respected and heard, as shown by quantitative PPI assessments.ConclusionsStakeholders were essential in identifying key aspects, preferences and constraints early on. Their feedback on music and exercise shaped the project. This study transformed our approach to exercise for pwMS. Future studies are required to evaluate the programme’s efficacy.Trial registration numberDRKS00027979.
Factors associated with delayed health-seeking behaviour and disease severity on admission among patients diagnosed with acute encephalitis syndrome: an observational study from North India
Authors: Alam Umaer , Srivastava Neha , Agrawal Aman , Beniwal Rohit , Pandey Ashok Kumar , Mittal Mahim , Sharma Bhoopendra , Gupta Urmila , Kant Rajni , Murhekar Manoj , Mittal Mahima 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionAcute encephalitis syndrome (AES) poses a significant health challenge to children across India. Late arrival at tertiary care hospitals is a primary contributor to disease severity and poor outcomes. This study identifies the determinants of delayed health seeking and disease severity in AES cases.MethodsWe interviewed the parents/guardians/caregivers of 242 patients with AES admitted at a tertiary care centre. Multivariable analyses identified factors for delayed health seeking, defined as >3 days spent at home after symptom onset; and disease severity on admission, defined as need for oxygen support. 131 patients were evaluated for long-term outcomes after 3 years using the Liverpool Outcome Score.Results90 (37.2%) patients had delayed health seeking and 202 (83.5%) had severe disease on admission. Lack of awareness about AES was a significant risk factor (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.0, p=0.01) for delayed health seeking. Disease severity was associated with seeking treatment from uncertified medical practitioners (UMPs) (OR 7.3, 95% CI 2.7 to 19.8, p<0.01) and ≥2 days of time spent between the first healthcare provider and tertiary care admission (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.3, p=0.01). At follow-up, disability was observed in 18.3% (n=24) of the patients.ConclusionDelayed health seeking, treatment from UMPs and multiple healthcare consultations contributed to disease severity in patients with AES on admission at tertiary care health facilities.
Trends of mortality from chronic respiratory diseases by sex and ethnicity in the USA: a secular analysis from 1979 to 2021 using data from death certificates
Authors: Meng Yaxian , Han Xiaojie , Ji Qianqian , Zhang Aijie , Zhan Yiqiang , Chen Xiaoliang 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundOver the past decades, the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) has undergone significant changes. Analysing long-term mortality trends by sex and ethnicity can inform more targeted public health interventions.MethodsUsing data from death certificates, we calculated age-standardised mortality rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), asthma and pneumoconiosis among the US population from 1979 to 2021, stratified by sex and ethnicity. Trend analyses of mortality rates were conducted using joinpoint regression models.ResultsMortality trends varied significantly by demographic groups and disease types. Specifically, COPD mortality exhibited an overall increasing trend among females and white individuals throughout the study period while remaining stable among males and black individuals. ILD mortality showed an overall increasing trends for both males and females as well as individuals of white ethnicity. Asthma mortality showed an increase before 1996 followed by a consistent decline across all populations from about 1996 to 2021. In contrast, pneumoconiosis mortality has risen among white individuals since 2001 with a notable increase among females after 2009.ConclusionOur analysis reveals fluctuating trends in CRD mortality rates from 1979 to 2021 with varying patterns across sex, ethnicity and disease types. These findings underscore the need for ongoing research and tailored interventions to address these disparities.
Association of food insecurity with mental health status, mental health services utilisation and general healthcare utilisation among US adults
Authors: Park Sungchul , Berkowitz Seth A 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundFood insecurity poses a substantial threat to mental health. However, there is limited understanding of how food-insecure adults experience mental health challenges and access necessary health services. We examined the association of food insecurity with mental health status, mental health service utilisation and general healthcare utilisation among US adults.MethodsA retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted to analyse data from 9906 US adults participating in the 2016–2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Outcomes included mental health status, mental health service utilisation and general healthcare utilisation. The primary independent variable was food insecurity measured using the 10-item Food Security Survey Module. Two separate models were used: A lagged-dependent model and a fixed-effect model.ResultsThe lagged dependent model showed that food insecurity in 1 year was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting mental health symptoms based on the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Kessler 6 Psychological Distress Scale (3.5 percentage points (95% CI: 1.3 to 5.8)) and self-reported poor mental health (5.8 percentage points (2.9 to 8.7)) in the subsequent year. However, compared with food-secure adults, food-insecure adults were no more likely to have outpatient mental health visits, specialty mental health visits or psychotropic medication fills. Moreover, food-insecure adults were 4.1 (1.2 to 7.0) percentage points more likely to have an emergency room visit than food-secure adults. These findings were consistent with the fixed-effect model.ConclusionFood insecurity is associated with worse mental health. However, food-insecure adults may not access adequate mental health services and instead rely on emergency room visits.
Morbid obesity is associated with outcomes in patients undergoing vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a nationwide inpatient sample analysis
Authors: Chu Yo-Lun , Chen Cheng-Kuang , Chia Liu-Yu 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundOsteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) significantly affect older adults, leading to considerable morbidity and healthcare costs. Despite the known health risks of morbid obesity, its impact on surgical outcomes of OVCF remains underexplored. This study examines the influence of morbid obesity on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing vertebral augmentation procedures, specifically vertebroplasty (VP) or kyphoplasty (KP).MethodsWe analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for hospitalized patients aged 60 years or older undergoing VP or KP for OVCF from 2005 to 2020. Morbid obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) above 40 kg/m². The primary outcomes assessed in-hospital mortality, discharge destinations, hospital stays, costs, and complications. Logistic and linear regressions adjusted for confounders were used to determine the impact of morbid obesity on these outcomes.ResultsThe analysis included 4734 patients. Patients with morbid obesity accounted for 30.1% of the study sample. After adjustment for relevant demographic and clinical confounders, morbid obesity was significantly associated with increased risks of unfavorable discharge (adjusted OR (aOR): 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.42, P=0.002) and overall complication (aOR=1.15, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.30, P=0.041), including venous thromboembolism (VTE; aOR=1.57, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.30, P=0.020, P=0.003), urinary tract infection (aOR=1.35, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.60, P=0.001), and acute kidney injury (AKI; aOR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.78, P<0.001).ConclusionsMorbid obesity is associated with an increased risk of adverse short-term outcomes in patients undergoing VP or KP for OVCF, including unfavorable discharge and specific complications. These findings contribute insights to preoperative risk stratification and encourage clinicians to be more vigilant in managing this high-risk population. Further prospective research is still needed to confirm these associations and develop effective interventions.
Altered structural and functional homotopic connectivity associated with cognitive changes in SLE
Authors: Ni Sha , An Ning , Li Chunlei , Ma Yue , Qiao Pengfei , Ma Xueying 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivePrevious studies have revealed functional changes within the cerebral hemispheres of patients with SLE; however the changes between cerebral hemispheres are still unknown. The present study aimed to explore the functional and structural changes between bilateral hemispheres using functional MRI and find their relationship with cognition in patients with SLE.Methods54 patients with SLE and 32 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent MRI scanning and neuropsychological testing, and clinical data was collected in patients with SLE. Voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) values and grey matter volume were calculated for all subjects. Correlation analysis was established to determine the relationship between VMHC values, grey matter volume and cognitive scores, blood biochemical markers in patients with SLE.ResultsCompared with HCs, patients with SLE showed increased VMHC values in the insula and parahippocampal gyrus, while grey matter volume were reduced in these regions. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the increased VMHC values in insula was negatively correlated with decreased orientation function and positively correlated with decreased attention function. The grey matter volume in insula was negatively correlated with decreased attention and abstraction. The VMHC values and grey matter volume in insula and parahippocampal gyrus were negatively associated with lupus-specific antibodies.ConclusionThe structural and functional changes of insula and parahippocampal gyrus might be potential neuroimaging markers, and specific antibodies associated with lupus might be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of brain dysfunction.Trial registration numberNCT06226324.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to truncating variants in myosin binding protein C: a Spanish cohort
Authors: Melendo-Viu Maria , Salguero-Bodes Rafael , Valverde-Gómez María , Larrañaga-Moreira Jose María , Barriales Roberto , Díez-Lopez Carles , Limeres Freire Javier , Peña-Peña Maria Luisa , Garcia Pavia Pablo , Ripoll Tomas , Climent-Payá Vicente , Gallego Delgado Maria , Zorio Esther , Bermudez Jimenez Francisco José , García-Pinilla José Manuel , Méndez Fernández Irene , Sabater-Molina Maria , Perez Asensio Ana , Marchán-Lopez Álvaro , Arribas Ynsaurriaga Fernando , Bueno Hector , Palomino Doza Julián A 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited disorder whose causal variants involve sarcomeric protein genes. One of these is myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3), being previously associated with a favourable prognosis. Our objective is to describe the clinical characteristics and events of a molecularly homogeneous HCM cohort associated with truncatingMYBPC3variants.Methods and resultsA cohort of patients and relatives with HCM diagnosis and carrying a truncatingMYBPC3variant were retrospectively recruited. Subjects had an average follow-up of 7.77 years, with an incident HCM phenotype of 10%. They were middle-aged adult patients (47±16.8 years) without significant comorbidities or symptoms. Hypertrophy was discrete with a significative difference between probands and relatives (17.5±4 mm vs 14.6±5 mm; p<0.0001). Ejection fraction was predominantly preserved (65%±10%). Despite it being the most common clinical event, relevant heart failure (observed in 8.1% of patients) was infrequent and commonly found in the presence of a second environmental precipitating agent. ESC-HCM risk calculator and modifier factors did not correlate with the risk of major events predicting events, which were low (1.51 per 100 patients/year) and associated with the severity of HCM, abnormal QRS in the ECG and age. Genetic factors and sex were not associated with major events.ConclusionsThis is the first molecularly homogeneous, contemporary cohort, including HCM patients secondary toMYBPC3truncating variants. Patients showed a good prognosis with a low event rate. In our cohort, major arrhythmic events were not related to measured environmental or genetic factors.
Improving relativistic energy density functionals with tensor couplings
Authors: Typel Stefan , Shlomo Shalom 
Published: November 2024

AbstractEnergy density functionals (EDFs) have been used extensively with great success to calculate properties of nuclei and to predict the equation of state of dense nuclear matter. Besides non-relativistic EDFs, mostly of the Skyrme or Gogny type, relativistic EDFs of different types are in widespread use. In these latter approaches, the effective in-medium interaction is described by an exchange of mesons between nucleons. In most cases, only minimal meson-nucleon couplings are considered. The effects of additional tensor couplings were rarely investigated. In this work, a new relativistic EDF with tensor couplings and density dependent minimal meson-nucleon couplings will be presented. The parameters of the model are determined using a carefully selected set of experimental data with realistic uncertainties that are determined self-consistently. Predictions for various nuclear observables, the nuclear matter equation of state, and properties of neutron stars are discussed.
Flow and equation of state of nuclear matter at $${\varvec{E_\textrm{kin}/A=0.25}}$$–1.5 GeV with the SMASH transport approach
Authors: Tarasovičová L. A. , Mohs J. , Andronic A. , Elfner H. , Kampert K.-H. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWe present a comparison of directed and elliptic flow data by the FOPI collaboration in Au–Au, Xe–CsI, and Ni–Ni collisions at beam kinetic energies from 0.25 to 1.5 GeV per nucleon to simulations using the SMASH hadronic transport model. The Equation of State is parameterized as a function of nuclear density and momentum dependent potentials are newly introduced in SMASH. With a statistical analysis, we show that within the present status of the SMASH transport model, the collective flow data at lower energies is in the best agreement with a soft momentum dependent potential, while the elliptic flow at higher energies requires a harder momentum dependent equation of state.