bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of Covid deaths on premature mortality trends in Northern Dimension partnership countries
Authors: Jousilahti P , Harald K , Vienonen M , Laatikainen T 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Potential Years Life Lost (PYLL) is an established method to measure, follow trends and compare disease burden within and between countries. Northern Dimension Partnership in Health and Social wellbeing (NDPHS) network was established in 2003 and includes the following countries: Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Due to the Russian invasion to Ukraine, Russia is now excluded from the collaboration.

Methods
Premature mortality is defined as a death before the age of 70 years. PYLL-rates per 100,000 population are presented in six cause of deaths categories: total mortality, external causes, vascular diseases, cancers, alcohol-related deaths and suicides. Furthermore, 2021 data included deaths due to the Covid infection. Data were obtained from Eurostat and analyses are standardized to EU standard population.

Results
PYLL-rates declined from 2003 to 2017 in all countries and in most causes of death sub-groups. The total (all causes, all countries) PYLL-rate declined between 2003 and 2017 from 7072 to 5154 in men and from 3263 to 2532 in women. However, from 2017 to 2021 the total PYLL-rate increased to 5469 in men and 2623 in women. The increase was explained by Covid mortality. When Covid deaths were excluded, a minor decrease was observed also between 2017 and 2021. In 2021, total PYLL-rates vary largely between countries: from 2804 to 12,393 in men and from 1781 to 4460 in women. Differences between countries in Covid-related and other cause-specific PYLL-rates were also large. In all countries and causes of death sub-groups PYLL-rates were markedly higher in men compared to women.

Conclusions
The number of years lost due to premature preventable mortality have declined markedly in all NDPHS countries in the last two decades. Between 2017 and 2021, some increase was observed due to the Covid-related deaths. Differences between countries in premature mortality are still large.

Key messages
• The number of years lost due to premature preventable mortality have declined markedly in all NDPHS countries since 2003 but still, in 2021, differences between countries were large.
• Covid-related deaths caused an increase in premature mortality between 2017 and 2021.
Night shift work increases the risk of irritable bowel syndrome, which is mediated by inflammation
Authors: Yao Y , Ma J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The impact of long-term night shift work on the incidence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is still largely unknown, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of night shift work with IBS risk and further explore whether low-grade inflammation mediated this relationship.

Methods
This cohort study included 239,760 participants who were in paid employment or self-employed from the UK Biobank. In-depth lifetime employment information was used to calculate duration and frequency of night shifts. Low-grade inflammation index (INFLA-score) was calculated from five circulating inflammatory biomarkers. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the relationships between long-term night shift work and IBS risk, and mediation analyses were also performed.

Results
An increasing trend of IBS incidence was observed from day workers to regular night shift workers. Compared to day workers, rarely/some night shift workers (HR 1.097, 95% CI 1.007-1.195) and usual/permanent night shift workers (HR 1.213, 95% CI 1.046-1.407) had higher risk of IBS. Workers with longer duration (≥3 years) (HR 1.241, 95% CI 1.073-1.436) and higher frequency of night shifts (&gt;7 shifts/month) (HR 1.248, 95% CI 1.045-1.491) also showed higher IBS risks. INFLA-score significantly mediated the association of long-term night shift exposure with increased IBS risk (mediation proportion 3.6%, P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Long-term exposure to night shift work is associated with a higher risk of IBS, the potential underlying mechanism may be the heightened low-grade inflammation.

Key messages
• Current night shift exposure, longer night shift duration and higher night shift frequency were significantly associated with higher risk of IBS.
• Our findings indicate that night shift work may increase the IBS risk by triggering a cascade of low-grade inflammatory processes.
Impact of Covid19 on chronic respiratory diseases
Authors: Iannaccone R , Serafini A , Sposato B , Lacerenza G , Messina G , De Luca A , Nante N , D’Urso A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
This study was created to test the hypothesis that Covid19 pandemic may have influenced the increase in chronic respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, COPD, and mixed forms. This aspect does not seem to have been investigated previously in the literature.

Methods
The study population consisted of all residents in the province of Grosseto in the two study years (2019 and 2022) aged over 17 and under 90 (n. 368,326). For each of them, the presence of chronic lung disease (OUTCOME), Covid 19 positivity (between 2019 and 2022), age, sex, and Charlson index were reported in the database. To test the effect of the study variables on the identified outcomes (asthma, COPD, and mixed forms), a single-variable statistical analysis was conducted, followed by multiple logistic regression in which, in addition to the main variable, sex, age, and Charlson index were included to adjust the results, using STATA Vers. 17.0 Be-Basic Edition

Results
Multivariate statistical analyses showed that those who had COVID between 2019 and 2022 had a 75% higher risk of taking asthma therapy than those who did not (OR 1.75, p &lt; 0. 001); all other variables were also significantly correlated with the outcome: fewer people were taking asthma therapy in the year 2022 than in 2019 (OR 0.89, p &lt; 0.001); men had a lower risk (OR 0.79, p &lt; 0.001); and those who had a higher CI had a higher risk (3.43, p &lt; 0.001). In the study sample, 2.69% took asthma medication in the study years.

Conclusions
The Covid19 pandemic has had a significant impact on chronic respiratory diseases, especially asthma; patients with higher age and more comorbidities are more likely to develop asthma; males have a lower risk than females, and these data do not seem to have been analyzed in the scientific literature.

Key messages
• The Covid19 pandemic has had a significant impact on chronic respiratory diseases.
• Patients with higher age and more comorbidities are more likely to develop asthma.
Does the narrow-clawed crayfish, Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Astacidae), contribute to the decline of the noble crayfish, Astacus astacus Linnaeus, 1758 in the Belarusian Lakeland?
Authors: Śliwińska Karolina , Alekhnovich Anatoly 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The noble crayfish, Astacus astacus Linnaeus, 1758, is the rarest crayfish species in Belarus, distributed mainly within the Belarusian Lakeland, a region of numerous lakes of glacial origin in northern Belarus. The territory has been surveyed for the species to recognize its conservation status. From a total of 44 previously known A. astacus habitats, the species now occurs in 23 of them, five of which cohabit with the narrow-clawed crayfish, Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) which occupies the majority of habitats where A. astacus populations have been lost. Based on the long-term capture data, we tracked the displacement of A. astacus by P. leptodactylus in Karavaino Lake. To our knowledge, this observation represents the first published field evidence showing the progressive and successful outcompeting of A. astacus by P. leptodactylus. Based on our results, as well as by comparing it with previously published information on the crayfish distribution in Belarus, we highlight the unrealised scale of P. leptodactylus expansion in its non-native area of occurrence in Belarus. Due to the invasive potential of P. leptodactylus, we stress the need for research on the influence of P. leptodactylus on overall biodiversity within its introduced range.
Translating and validating the gay affirmative practice scale for nurses in mainland China
Authors: Zhang Han , Chen Lixia , Fei Wei , Chen Sihan , Daihong J I 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The gay affirmative practice (GAP) scale is an effective tool for evaluating the beliefs and behaviors of health care professionals toward gay and lesbian clients.

Aim
This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the GAP scale among Chinese nurses.

Methods
A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the Chinese version of the GAP (C-GAP) scale after translation and cross-cultural adaptation and to examine its psychometric characteristics. The reliability and validity of the C-GAP scale were determined by item analysis, factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant construct validity.

Outcomes
The GAP scale was translated and adapted specifically for China. A total of 1440 participants completed the C-GAP scale, sociodemographic questionnaire, and Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale.

Results
The C-GAP scale exhibited a Cronbach α of 0.95, with a high test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.92. Exploratory factor analysis identified 2 factors that accounted for 59.91% of the total variance. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis were as follows: χ2/df = 1.09, goodness-of-fit index = 0.98, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.97, root mean square error of approximation = 0.01, Tucker-Lewis index = 1.00, comparative fit index = 1.00, incremental fit index = 1.00, parsimony goodness-of-fit index = 0.85, and parsimony normed fit index = 0.91. These findings confirm that all goodness-of-fit indices were satisfactory.

Clinical Implications
The C-GAP scale can be an effective tool for health care professionals and managers and for education and research; it can also identify the beliefs and behaviors of health care professionals toward gay and lesbian clients, facilitating cultural competence development and enhancing care quality awareness and skills.

Strengths and Limitations
The C-GAP scale demonstrates reliability and validity; however, because the sample consisted only of nurses, the findings may not be generalizable to other professional groups, such as counselors and therapists. Therefore, the occupational focus of the sample limited the broader applicability of the results.

Conclusion
The C-GAP scale is a reliable and valid tool suitable for assessing the practice attitudes and behaviors of Chinese nurses toward gay and lesbian clients.
The Disaggregated Oswestry Disability Index: What is the Most Predictive Subsection for Patient Satisfaction After Lumbar Surgery?
Authors: Hambrecht Jan , Köhli Paul , Duculan Roland , Chiapparelli Erika , Lan Ranqing , Guven Ali E. , Evangelisti Gisberto , Burkhard Marco D. , Tsuchiya Koki , Muellner Maximilian , Shue Jennifer , Sama Andrew A. , Cammisa Frank P. , Girardi Federico P. , Mancuso Carol A. , Hughes Alexander P. 
Published: October 2024

Study Design:
Retrospective review of cohort studies.

Objective:
To analyze how different ODI subsections and their improvement affect patient satisfaction 2 years after elective lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Background:
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is crucial in evaluating outcomes of spinal disorders and provides valuable insights into a patient’s preoperative status. There is limited information available on the individual characteristics of its subsections and their relation to postoperative patient satisfaction.

Methods:
Pre- and 2-year postoperative ODI and patient satisfaction were assessed. The analysis included preoperative scores and improvements in each ODI subsection 2 years postoperatively. Satisfaction was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with scores ≥4 deemed satisfactory. Univariate linear regression and ROC analysis established cutoffs for subsection improvement and postoperative target values to achieve postoperative satisfaction.

Results:
265 patients (60% female, 67±8 years) were included. ODI improvement was achieved in 91%, and postoperative patient satisfaction in 73%. Patients with lower postoperative subsection scores and greater differences between pre- and postoperative scores were more likely to be satisfied (all P<0.001). A postoperative subsection target score of ≤1 was associated with patient satisfaction. Change in degree of pain was the most predictive subsection for satisfaction, with an AUC of 0.84 (sensitivity 79%, specificity 86%). Walking (AUC 0.83, sensitivity 87%, specificity 65%), pain intensity (AUC 0.82, sensitivity 79%, specificity 79%), personal care (AUC 0.82, sensitivity 83%, specificity 68%), and standing (AUC 0.82, sensitivity 83%, specificity 83%) all had an AUC greater than 0.80. The postoperative subsection with the lowest predictability was sleeping (AUC 0.69).

Conclusion:
Pain domains, walking, standing, and personal care were the subsections with the highest predictability for patient satisfaction. These findings on the correlation between different ODI subscales and patient satisfaction are valuable for improving preoperative education, addressing disability, and ensuring postoperative satisfaction.
What makes proactive behaviors at work effective? Perspectives of health care executives
Authors: Lai Alden Yuanhong , Frimpong Jemima A. 
Published: October 2024

Background
Proactive behaviors at work refer to behaviors that are self-starting, future focused, and change oriented. Proactive behaviors are generally thought of as positive and desired and can benefit both the employee (e.g., job promotion) and organization (e.g., innovation). These behaviors can, however, backfire (e.g., due to unintended consequences), reflecting the “initiative paradox.”

Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate, through the perspectives of health care executives, how employees can be more effective when engaging in proactive behaviors.

Methodology
We used the episodic narrative interview method. Health care executives narrated instances of perceived effective and ineffective proactive behaviors among employees. We then performed an inductive qualitative analysis of these episodes to identify emerging themes and dimensions.

Results
The effectiveness of proactive behaviors among health care employees is shaped by three dimensions: managerial expectation (in)congruence (e.g., knowledge of expectations, engagement with chain of command), organizational priority (in)congruence (e.g., degree of alignment between individual and organizational benefits), and boundaries of action and change (e.g., nonadherence to regulatory or financial conditions). Among the dimensions, managerial expectations may be the most challenging for employees to navigate.

Conclusion
Engaging in proactive behaviors is not a straightforward process. Navigating multiple dimensions is necessary for health care employees to be effective.

Practice Implications
Employees should be equipped with knowledge on relevant expectations, priorities, and boundaries when engaging in proactive behaviors at work. Health care leaders and managers should aim to clarify and periodically reassess these dimensions to facilitate effective proactive behaviors and to generate benefits for employees and the organization.
The assessment of myopenia and muscle biopsy in pediatric patients with liver disease awaiting liver transplantation—A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Hager Amber , Mazurak  , Dajani Khaled , Dunichand-Hoedl Abha , Shapiro A.M. James , Bigam David , Anderson Blaire , Kneteman Norm , Montano-Loza Aldo J. , Noga Michelle , Gavreau Cynthia , Dziwenkocox Cindy , Yap Jason , Gilmour Susan M. , Mager Diana R. 
Published: October 2024

Little is known about the skeletal muscle characteristics (fiber type proportion and size, location of nuclei, presence of fat infiltration) in children with liver disease with radiologically determined myopenia (low muscle mass). During liver transplantation (LTx) surgery, biopsies from the rectus abdominis muscle were collected. Muscle fiber types (I, I/IIA, IIA, IIA/X, IIX) and cross-sectional area index (µm/m2) were determined using immunofluorescence staining. Triacylglycerol and phospholipid content of muscle was determined using gas chromatography. Myopenia was defined using study-specific cutoffs (skeletal muscle index <−2 SD) from age-sex–matched healthy control scans. Myopenia was prevalent in 41% of children. Children also had a high prevalence of high muscle adiposity (37%). Children with myopenia were older (8.4 vs. 0.7 y; p<0.001), had smaller total (median 595 vs. 844 µm/m2; p=0.04) and hybrid IIA/X (612±143 vs. 993±341 µm/m2; p=0.04) muscle fiber size index, lower prevalence of type I fibers (53% vs. 64%; p=0.01) and higher prevalence of type IIA/X hybrid fibers (median 7.5% vs. 0%; p=0.04). Children with myopenia also had a higher prevalence of elevated triacylglycerol content (>75 percentile) within the muscle compared to children without myopenia (36% vs. 0%; p=0.009). Percent of muscle fibers with centralized nuclei was not different between groups. In conclusion, children with myopenia experience differences in skeletal muscle biological characteristics when compared to children without myopenia at LTx, and these findings may have implications for dietary and exercise rehabilitation pre-LTx and post-LTx.
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma: epidemiology, presentation, and high-risk endemic populations
Authors: Clark Cassra B. , Matheny Meghan , Raman Jay D. 
Published: October 2024

Purpose of review
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) only accounts for 5–10% of all urothelial cancers but these patients present with high stage disease and 2 out of 3 patients have evidence of muscle-invasion at time of diagnosis. Furthermore, 10% of UTUC patients have associated Lynch syndrome and therefore diagnosis of UTUC should prompt timely evaluation and familial counseling. The purpose of this review is to outline the current evidence on the epidemiology, presentation, and high-risk endemic populations of UTUC through review of contemporary publications occurring over the preceding 18 months.

Recent findings
Both the American Urological Association (AUA) and European Association of Urology (EAU) have published updated guidelines within the last 18 months for the management of UTUC. Of note, the updated guidelines give special consideration to identifying patients with risk factors for Lynch syndrome and recommend universal histologic testing for those with high probability of having Lynch syndrome cancers as well as referral for genetic counseling and germline testing.

Summary
UTUC is an overall rare malignancy but tends to present with advanced stage and muscle-invasion. A proper understanding of the epidemiology, presentation, and high-risk endemic populations is necessary to develop preventive and interventional strategies.
e-EARLY TOGETHER Intervention for Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Cunha Agnes F. S. , Leite Hércules R. , Santos Adriana N. , Campos Ana C. , Hines Ashleigh , Camargos Ana C. R. 
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an early intervention program, e-EARLY TOGETHER, that combines goal-oriented training, parental coaching, environmental enrichment in a telehealth approach in a low- and middle-income country.

Methods:
Protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of e-EARLY TOGETHER intervention compared to standard guidelines on outcomes related to development and performance in infants at high risk of cerebral palsy.

Discussion:
This protocol will inform and enrich clinical practice related to early intervention in low- and middle-income countries. It is expected that the data obtained will contribute to the implementation of effective early intervention programs with positive and lasting results for the child, their family, and the community.

Trial registration:
Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-7WWJRQ3, registered May 10, 2023; WHO Trial Registration UTN Code U-1111-1286-4639.
Specialty-Based Ambulatory Quality Improvement Program: A Specialty-Specific Ambulatory Metric Project
Authors: Nagler Arielle R. , Testa Paul A. , Cho Ilseung , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Kalkut Gary , Gossett Dana R. 
Published: October 2024

Background and Objectives:
Healthcare is increasingly being delivered in the outpatient setting, but robust quality improvement programs and performance metrics are lacking in ambulatory care, particularly specialty-based ambulatory care.

Methods:
To promote quality improvement in ambulatory care, we developed an infrastructure to create specialty-specific quality measures and dashboards that could be used to display providers’ performance across relevant measures to individual providers and institutional leaders.

Results:
The products of this program include a governance and infrastructure for specialty-specific ambulatory quality metrics as well as two distinct dashboards for data display. One dashboard is provider-facing, displaying provider’s performance on specialty-specific measures as compared to institutional standards. The second dashboard is a leadership dashboard that provides overall and provider-level information on performance across measures.

Conclusions:
The Specialty-based Ambulatory Quality program reflects a systematic, institutionally-supported quality improvement framework that can be applied across diverse ambulatory specialties. As next steps, we plan to evaluate the program’s impact on provider performance across measures and expand this program to other specialties practicing in the outpatient setting.
Examining the Measurement Equivalence of Alzheimer Disease Research Centers’ Neuropsychological Test Battery (Version 3) Between Singapore and US Samples
Authors: Tay Sze Yan , Koay Way Inn , Ting Simon Kang Seng , Liew Tau Ming 
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
Standardization of neuropsychological tests is crucial for consistency in cognitive assessment, as well as for validity and comparability of results across different populations. We examined the applicability and measurement equivalence of the Alzheimer Disease Research Centers' Neuropsychological Test Battery (version 3) (ADRC-NTB3) in Singapore.

Methods:
The ADRC-NTB3 was administered to 978 older persons with normal cognition in Singapore. To provide comparison between Singapore and US samples, a US sample with similar profile was retrieved from the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center (NACC) database.

Patients:
Scores were compared with 1853 participants with similar profile from the United States. Score-difference between the populations was computed using multiple linear regression (adjusted for covariates), with equivalent score considered present when 90% CI of the score-difference fell within the predefined margin of equivalence.

Results:
Tasks assessing for memory, processing speed, and executive functioning showed equivalence in scores between US and Singapore samples (adjusted-score difference=−0.94 to 0.09). Singapore sample performed marginally better on the visuospatial task (adjusted-score difference=0.50), but poorer on the language task (adjusted-score difference=−3.22).

Discussion:
Nonequivalence of visuospatial and language tasks, which may increase potential misinterpretation of cognitive profiles and misdiagnosis, are related to educational and cultural differences. This highlights the need for different normative data for more accurate diagnostic accuracy as well as research priorities.