bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and cross-cultural validation of an adapted social skills group training programme (KONTAKTTMCHILD) for Chinese autistic children: a waitlist RCT protocol
Authors: Lao Uchong , Zhu Huilin , Liang Fengjing , Bai Wuxia , Yin Peipei , Huang Xiaoqian , Girdler Sonya , Bölte Sven , Zou Xiaobing 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionSchool-age autistic children commonly experience social communication and interaction challenges in their everyday lives. While international evidence suggests that social skills group training (SSGT) programmes can support autistic children, improving their psychosocial functioning, to date there is no standardised evidence-based SSGT tailored towards the needs of autistic children aged 8–12 years living in the Chinese Mainland. Therefore, the primary objective of this study will be to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted 16-session version of the social skills programme KONTAKT in Chinese autistic children. Additionally, preliminary efficacy and cost-effectiveness will be assessed to inform a future definitive trial.Methods and analysisThis study will employ a randomised, single-blinded, waitlist-controlled feasibility design with 36 Chinese autistic children aged 8–12 years with IQ over 70 referred to the Child Development and Behavior Center in Guangzhou, China. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the immediate training group or the delayed training group stratified by sex. Feasibility will be assessed using quantitative and qualitative data obtained from the KONTAKT CHILD participants, their parents and facilitators of the programme. Preliminary efficacy and cost-effectiveness are assessed via quantitative data obtained at five time points. The primary efficacy outcome is participants’ improvement in social skills as measured by the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills. Other outcomes include parents and teachers’ reports of participants’ autistic traits and adaptive functioning, participants’ self-report and projective tests for self-assertiveness and psychosocial functioning, and parent reports on parental reflective functioning and perceived school support. Common process factors and their effects on outcomes will also be explored. Cost-effectiveness will consider from both societal and healthcare perspectives.Ethics and disseminationThe current study protocol has been reviewed and ethics approval has been obtained from the Ethical Board Committee at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (II2023-119-01). The trial was pre-registered in Chinese Clinical Trials (ChiCTR2300072136) on 5 June 2023. The results of this trial will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Any identifiable personal information will be anonymised to protect confidentiality.Protocol version2.0, 31 July 2024.Trial registration numberChiCTR2300072136.
Experiences of physiotherapists working with adults living with Long COVID in Canada: a qualitative study
Authors: Kim Caleb , Lin Chantal , Wong Michelle , Al Hamour Al Jarad Shahd , Gao Amy , Kaufman Nicole , McDuff Kiera , Brown Darren A. , Cobbing Saul , Minor Alyssa , Chan Carusone Soo , O'Brien Kelly K 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesTo explore experiences of physiotherapists working with adults living with Long COVID in Canada.DesignCross-sectional descriptive qualitative study involving online semi-structured interviews.ParticipantsWe recruited physiotherapists in Canada who self-identified as having clinically treated one or more adults living with Long COVID in the past year.Data collectionUsing an interview guide, we inquired about physiotherapists’ knowledge of Long COVID, assessment and treatment experiences, perspectives on physiotherapists’ roles, contextual and implementation factors influencing rehabilitative outcomes, and their recommendations for Long COVID rehabilitation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a group-based thematic analytical approach. We administered a demographic questionnaire to describe sample characteristics.Results13 physiotherapists from five provinces participated; most were women (n=8; 62%) and practised in urban settings (n=11; 85%). Participants reported variable amounts of knowledge of existing guidelines and experiences working with adults living with Long COVID in the past year. Physiotherapists characterised their experiences working with adults living with Long COVID as a dynamic process involving: (1) a disruption to the profession (encountering a new patient population and pivoting to new models of care delivery), followed by (2) a cyclical process of learning curves and evolving roles of physiotherapists working with persons living with Long COVID (navigating uncertainty, keeping up with rapidly emerging evidence, trial and error, adapting mindset and rehabilitative approaches and growing prominence of roles as advocate and collaborator). Participants recommended the need for education and training, active and open-minded listening with patients, interdisciplinary models of care, and organisational- and system-level improvements to foster access to care.ConclusionsPhysiotherapists’ experiences involved a disruption to the profession followed by a dynamic process of learning curves and evolving roles in Long COVID rehabilitation. Not all participants demonstrated an in-depth understanding of existing Long COVID rehabilitation guidelines. Results may help inform physiotherapy education in Long COVID rehabilitation.
Effects of paravertebral block on postoperative analgesia in children undergoing unilateral thoracotomy cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Guo Jingfei , Tian Lijuan , Kang Wenying , Jia Yuan , Yuan Su 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThis study aims to determine whether paravertebral block (PVB) provides better postoperative analgesia, lower incidence of complications and faster recovery compared with local anaesthetic wound infiltration for school-aged children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass via thoracotomy.Method and analysisThis is a single-centre, randomised controlled trial. We will enrol 100 children aged 6–14 years with atrial or ventricular septal defects scheduled for thoracotomy cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients will be randomly assigned to the PVB group and the control group in a ratio of 1:1. After the surgery, we will conduct unilateral PVB with ropivacaine for patients in the PVB group, and local anaesthetic wound infiltration for patients in the control group. We will use the double-dummy design to ensure blinding. The patients will not be administered analgesics after returning to the PICU(paediatric intensive care unit). Their bedside nurse will monitor their pain condition. When the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) Pain Score is ≥4, sufentanil infusion will be started. The primary outcome will be total opioid consumption within 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes will be (1) FPS-R Scores at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours after surgery; (2) The rate of opioid treatment for remedial analgesia; (3) The first time of FPS-R Score is ≥4 postoperatively. Exploratory outcomes will be: (1) Length of postoperative mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and hospital stay; (2) The rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting and respiratory depression 24 hours after surgery.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Fuwai Hospital (No 2023–2135) and PUMC. Written informed consent will be obtained from each patient or their legal representatives before enrolment. The results of this trial will be published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal.Trial registration numberChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400081773) Clinical Trial（NCT06312904）
Validity of data extraction in acupuncture meta-analysis: a reproducibility study protocol
Authors: Duan Yuting , Zhao Pinge , Deng Yuening , Luo Wenting , Chen Zewei , Liu Shujuan , Zhou Jinjin , Xu Ziwen , Tang Binbin , Yu Lin 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionSystematic review and meta-analysis occupy the apex of the evidence pyramid, serving as the most comprehensive and reliable form of evidence-based assessment. Data extraction is a crucial juncture in meta-analysis, establishing the underpinnings for the outcomes and deductions drawn from systematic reviews (SRs). However, the frequency of data extraction errors in meta-analysis is quite significant. Data extraction errors can lead to biased study results, affect the credibility of study results and even mislead clinical practice. The quantity of acupuncture randomised controlled trials and SRs has expanded rapidly recently, yet the validity of data extraction remains unexplored. Hence, our study aims to investigate the validity of data extraction errors in acupuncture SRs, the effect of data extraction errors on results and the relevant guidelines used erroneous results.Methods and analysisFour databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane linbrary and EMBASE will be searched from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023 for acupuncture SRs. Two researchers will independently extract data from the meta-analysis and the original study into a standardised data extraction table. A senior investigator, who did not participate in the data extraction process, will verify the results. In cases of discrepancies, the senior researcher will conduct further extraction and consult with another senior researcher to determine the final results. We will analyse the frequency and type of data extraction errors and data estimation errors and evaluate the effect of data extraction errors on results. Quantile regression will be used to explore the factors influencing data extraction error frequency at 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles. Finally, we will further search for guidelines used erroneous results.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not necessary for this study. This protocol has been registered in Open Science Framework Registries.Registration DOIhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/CHMPA.
Total retinal thickness is an important factor in evaluating diabetic retinal neurodegeneration
Authors: Ahmad Noor-Us-Sabah , Staggers Kristen , Lee Kyungmoo , Mehta Nitish , Domalpally Amitha , Frankfort Benjamin J , Liu Yao , Channa Roomasa 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveMacular retinal nerve fibre layer (mRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (GC-IPL) measurements are important markers of diabetic retinal neurodegeneration (DRN). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to quantify the contribution of total retinal thickness (TRT) and other factors in the variation of mRNFL and GC-IPL thickness among participants with diabetes.Methods and analysisWe used macular-centred spectral domain-optical coherence tomography scans from participants with diabetes in the UK Biobank. Two multiple linear regression models (prior to and after adjusting for TRT) were used to determine factors associated with mRNFL and GC-IPL thicknesses. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 3832 eyes from 3832 participants with diabetes were analysed. Factors that explained the greatest variation in thickness were TRT (20.9% for mRNFL and 57.2% for GC-IPL), followed by spherical equivalent (8.0% for mRNFL only), gender (2.2% for mRNFL only) and age (1.4% for GC-IPL only). Other factors significantly associated with mRNFL and/or GC-IPL thickness explained less than 1% of the variation in their thicknesses. Self-reported ancestral background was not significantly associated with mRNFL thickness after accounting for TRT.ConclusionsAlthough many factors were significantly associated with mRNFL and GC-IPL thickness in participants with diabetes, they accounted for a fraction of the variation in the thickness of both layers. TRT explained most of the variation in these measurements, hence accounting for TRT is needed when using these metrics to evaluate DRN.
Improving the non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) pathway using quality improvement methodology
Authors: Goodfellow Susan , Goodfellow Jonathan 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline quality standard for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) pathway states that adults who have an intermediate or higher risk of future adverse cardiovascular events should undergo coronary angiography within 72 hours of first admission to hospital.The aim was to improve compliance with the 72-hour NICE quality standard for the acute coronary syndrome pathway between one district general hospital (DGH) and its cardiac tertiary centre by reducing the time from admission to angiography by 50%.Participants were front-line staff in the DGH and staff in the cardiac catheter laboratory in the tertiary centre.MethodsContinuous data were collected prospectively on all patients entering the NSTEACS pathway with time of arrival to hospital; referral to angiography; and start of angiogram to measure the NSTEACS pathway duration against the NICE quality standard. We used process mapping, ease-benefit matrix, Pareto analyses and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method of quality improvement.InterventionStaff in both hospitals performed process mapping of their respective parts of the NSTEACS pathway. Their data informed decisions on process changes using the ease-benefit matrix. PDSA cycles were commenced, and changes were assessed using continuous measurement of pathway duration. In the tertiary centre, Pareto analysis was performed to help identify the major service constraints.ResultsBetween January 2021 and March 2023, there were four separate PDSA cycles, two each in the DGH and tertiary centre. Across the four PDSA cycles, the time to complete the pathway reduced from an average of 172 to 94.72 hours, an improvement of 45%, along with an overall reduction in variability of data. In the DGH, the process changes were sustained, but in the tertiary centre they were not, as PDSA 4 required staff recruitment to enable a 6-day rather than a 5-day service per week.
Body mass index and type 2 diabetes mellitus as metabolic determinants of immune checkpoint inhibitors response in melanoma
Authors: Jan Yu Jen Alexander , Chiang Cho-Han , Osataphan Soravis , Lawless Aleigha R , Reynolds Kerry L , Sullivan Ryan J 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved survival outcomes in melanoma. Studies exploring the correlations between body mass index (BMI), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and the outcomes of ICI treatment have yielded inconsistent results. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of BMI and T2DM on survival outcomes of patients with melanoma receiving ICIs.MethodsA retrospective multicenter cohort of patients with melanoma treated with ICIs was analyzed. Overall survival was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, univariate Cox and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Propensity-score matching (1:1) analysis between overweight and non-overweight groups was done and survival analyses and Cox analyses were performed again. Subgroup analyses and secondary analyses stratifying patients with different weights and T2DM statuses were also performed.ResultsA total of 2,078 patients were included, of whom 1,412 were overweight (BMI≥25 kg/m2) and 666 were non-overweight (BMI<25 kg/m2). Overweight patients had better overall survival compared with non-overweight (median 71.7 vs 36.7 months, p<0.001). Patients with T2DM had worse overall survival compared with patients without T2DM (median 28.5 vs 67.3 months, p<0.001). After propensity-score matching (666 overweight were matched to 666 non-overweight), overweight patients remained to have better overall survival compared with non-overweight (median 67.7 vs 36.7 months, p<0.001). Patients with T2DM had worse survival in univariate Cox (HR 1.71, (95% CI: 1.20 to 2.43)) and multivariate Cox (HR 1.58, (95% CI: 1.08 to 2.31)) analyses. Overweight patients without T2DM had the best survival outcomes compared with other weight and T2DM combinations.ConclusionIn patients with melanoma treated with ICIs, being overweight had better survival outcomes compared with non-overweight. Having T2DM was associated with worse survival compared with those without T2DM. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of these associations.
Chronic kidney disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a cohort study
Authors: Kharouf Fadi , Gao Shangyi , Al-Matar Shahad , Cook Richard J , Chandran Vinod , Gladman Dafna D 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a comorbidity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We aimed to define the prevalence of CKD in patients with PsA, describe their long-term renal outcomes and identify risk factors for CKD development.MethodsWe included patients with PsA followed by our prospective observational cohort. We defined CKD as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2for at least 3 months. We characterised long-term renal outcomes of CKD cases identified following clinic entry. We used time-dependent Cox regression models to identify factors associated with CKD development.ResultsOf 1336 patients included in the study, 123 (9.2%) had CKD. Of these, 25 (20.3%) were observed to have CKD at clinic entry and 98 (79.7%) developed CKD during follow-up at a median (IQR) of 8.2 (2.8–14.0) years from baseline. Doubling of baseline creatinine was observed in 18 of 98 (18.3%) new patients with CKD. 49 (50%) patients developed a sustained ≥40% reduction in baseline eGFR. Two patients developed eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2. In the multivariate Cox regression model adjusted for age at study entry, sex and baseline eGFR, factors independently associated with the development of CKD included diabetes mellitus (HR 2.58, p<0.001), kidney stones (HR 2.14, p=0.01), radiographic damaged joint count (HR 1.02, p=0.02), uric acid (HR 1.21, p<0.001; 50-unit increase), daily use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (HR 1.77, p=0.02) and methotrexate use (HR 0.51, p=0.01).ConclusionCKD is not infrequent in PsA. Its development is associated with related comorbidities, joint damage and NSAID use. Methotrexate seems to be protective.
Galls of Palaeomystella oligophaga (Lepidoptera, Agonoxenidae) associated with Macairea radula (Melastomataceae) in Neotropical veredas: effects of environment type, resource concentration, and plant architecture
Authors: Ruas Maria Isabela Campos , Barbosa Pedro Ivo Alves , Silva Sabrina Celie Oliveira e , Durães Mariane Scarcela , Grandez-Rios Julio Miguel , Araújo Walter Santos de 
Published: November 2024

The diversity of galling insects may be associated with abiotic factors, such as hygrothermal stress, and biotic factors of the host plants, such as structural complexity and resource concentration. In the present study, we aimed evaluate the occurrence of galling insects Palaeomystella oligophaga (Lepidoptera, Agonoxenidae) associated with Macairea radula (Melastomataceae) in veredas of northern of Minas Gerais, testing the effect of environmental stress, resource concentration and plant architecture. The study was carried out in three veredas with distinct levels of soil drying and conservation (preserved, intermediate and degraded). In each vereda, were selected 20 individuals of the Macairea radula for galling sampling. For each focal plants were sampled the abundance of galls, plant height (m), number of branches and number of individuals close to the focal plant within a radius of 5 m. In total, were sampled 2,030 galls of Palaeomystella oligophaga on Macairea radula. The abundance of galls differed significantly between the plants of the different veredas, being higher in the plants of the Vereda da Almescla (intermediate conservation level). In addition, the abundance of galls was positively correlated with plant height, and the number of nearby individuals (considering all plant species). Our results demonstrate that both anthropic alterations that lead to the dryness of the veredas, and structural characteristics of the host plants, can affect the occurrence of galls of Palaeomystella oligophaga.
m
6
A Modification of Profilin-1 in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Drives Phenotype Switching and Neointimal Hyperplasia via Activation of the p-ANXA2/STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Gao Xiao-Fei , Chen Ai-Qun , Tang Hao-Yue , Kong Xiang-Quan , Zhang Huan , Wang Zhi-Mei , Lu Wei , Wang Li-Guo , Wang Feng , Zhou Wen-Ying , Gu Yue , Zuo Guang-Feng , Ge Zhen , Zhang Jun-Jie , Chen Shao-Liang 
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND:
In-stent restenosis is characterized by a significant reduction in lumen diameter within the stented segment, primarily attributed to excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and neointimal hyperplasia. PFN1 (profilin-1), an actin-sequestering protein extensively studied in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, remains less explored in neointimal hyperplasia.

METHODS:
Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing alongside data from in-stent restenosis patients and various experimental in-stent restenosis models (swine, rats, and mice), we investigated the role of PFN1 in promoting VSMC phenotype switching and neointimal hyperplasia.

RESULTS:

Single-cell RNA sequencing of stenotic rat carotid arteries revealed a critical role for PFN1 in neointimal hyperplasia, a finding corroborated in stented swine coronary arteries, in-stent restenosis patients, PFN1
SMC-IKO
(SMC-specific PFN1 knockout) mice, and PFN1 overexpressed mice. PFN1 deletion was shown to suppress VSMC phenotype switching and neointimal hyperplasia in PFN1
SMC-IKO
mice subjected to a wire-injured model. To elucidate the observed discordance in PFN1 mRNA and protein levels, we identified that METTL3 (N
6
-methyladenosine methyltransferase) and YTHDF3 (YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein F3; N
6
-methyladenosine–specific reader) enhance PFN1 translation efficiency in an N
6
-methyladenosine–dependent manner, confirmed through experiments involving METTL3 knockout and YTHDF3 knockout mice. Furthermore, PFN1 was mechanistically found to interact with the phosphorylation of ANXA2 (annexin A2) by recruiting Src (SRC proto-oncogene, nonreceptor tyrosine kinase), promoting the phosphorylation of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), a typical transcription factor known to induce VSMC phenotype switching.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study unveils the significance of PFN1 N
6
-methyladenosine modification in VSMCs, demonstrating its role in promoting phenotype switching and neointimal hyperplasia through the activation of the p-ANXA2 (phospho-ANXA2)/STAT3 pathway.