bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of fish oil in controlling inflammation in adult patients undergoing hemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fatima Kaneez , Mahmood Aysal , Sayeed Faiza Zafar , Raza Maryam , Azam Rahima , Waris Nazish , Sattar Muttia Abdul , Rani Teesha , Wahaj Zainab , Kumar Danisha , Siddiqui Simra Nadeem 
Published: September 2024

Objective: Hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease often exhibit inflammation characterized by elevated levels of C-reactive protein, Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and they are shown to be associated with cardiovascular impairment and enhanced renal failure. This study aims to assess the impact of fish oil intake on inflammation indicators in adult hemodialysis patients. Methods: From the inception to December 2023, the datasets Cochrane Central, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Embase, and Pubmed were examined. Two authors independently searched, selected, and screened the literature. The pooled results are represented by weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals. To investigate the causes of heterogeneity, subgroup analysis was done. Sensitivity analysis was then used to evaluate the validity of the combined findings. Results: Thirteen randomized control trials studies were included. The pooled results showed that fish oil supplementation caused a significant reduction of the C-reactive protein level (WMD, −2.92 mg/L; 95% Confidence interval, −5.23, to −0.61; p = 0.01; I2 = 99%), especially in patients with baseline C-reactive protein ⩾5 mg/L (WMD, −4.39 mg/L; 95% Confidence interval, −5.93 to 2.85; p < 0.00001; I2 = 33%). Subgroup analyses showed that C-reactive protein baseline level (C-reactive protein <5 mg/L) was the main source of heterogeneity. Fish oil intake may not reduce the level of Interleukin 6 (WMD, −2.26; 95% Confidence interval: −19.61 to 15.09; p = 0.80; I2 = 93%), nor will it reduce the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (random model: WMD, −2.51; 95% Confidence interval: 6.08 to 1.06; p = 0.17; I2 = 98%). Conclusion: Hemodialysis patients, especially those with C-reactive protein > 5 mg/L, responded to fish oil supplementation to reduce their C-reactive protein level; however, Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels did not appear to be affected.
Fenestrated over-the-needle catheter fracture during thoracocentesis in a cat
Authors: Lemburg Brigid K , Walker Julie M 
Published: September 2024

Case summary A 6-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for recurrent pleural effusion, atrial fibrillation and suspected congestive heart failure. During thoracocentesis, the fenestrated over-the-needle catheter became fractured and a catheter fragment remained in the patient’s left pleural space. Later in the course of treatment, the patient acutely decompensated and was euthanized. There were no immediately observed complications associated with the retained catheter fragment. Relevance and novel information To the authors’ knowledge, there are no reports of over-the-needle catheter fractures with retained pleural catheter fragments in veterinary medicine. Similar cases in humans have been successfully managed with and without removal of catheter fragments. In veterinary medicine, the decision to attempt removal of a catheter fragment must consider both the likelihood of related morbidity and the patient’s ability to tolerate an invasive procedure.
Internet-delivered emotional self-management program for the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: Usability testing
Authors: Semonella Michelle , Marchesi Gloria , Castelnuovo Gianluca , Andersson Gerhard , Pietrabissa Giada 
Published: September 2024

Introduction Internet-based self-help interventions have the potential to help people address their emotional needs at relatively low costs. However, if the system does not offer optimal functions, it could reduce end-user adherence and satisfaction with treatment and compromise the effectiveness of the program. This study evaluated the usability of an Internet-based self-help intervention for emotional self-management among the general population of Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A balanced sex-age sample of 10 individuals who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited online. The think-aloud testing method, the system usability scale and an ad hoc semi-structured interview were used to determine the overall system usability. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The participants were mostly satisfied with the usability of the program. However, older users (<45 years) encountered some problems, which took longer, made more mistakes, and needed more help in performing the tasks than their younger counterparts. The analysis of the interviews revealed three central themes: general thoughts about the platform, weaknesses of the platform and difficulties encountered while navigating and completing tasks, and strengths of the platform. Discussion Based on the results of this study, important improvements will be made before the RinasciMENTE program is tested under real-world conditions. Conducting usability testing is a crucial step at an early stage of the development process of an Internet-based self-help intervention to identify potential usability problems with the system.
Psychotherapists’ views on open notes: An online survey from Germany
Authors: Schwarz Julian , Neumann Katharina , Meier-Diedrich Eva , Mühlensiepen Felix , Hochwarter Stefan , Blease Charlotte 
Published: September 2024

Background In an increasing number of countries, patients are given online record access (ORA) to their clinical notes (“open notes”). In many places, psychotherapy notes are exempt, even if patients explicitly wish to read them. Previous research suggests that psychotherapists (PTs) have reservations that are not yet fully understood. Objective To investigate the attitudes and perceived effects of open notes on psychotherapeutic care, patients, and individual psychotherapeutic practice in Germany. Methods Psychological and medical therapists were invited to participate in a national online survey. Sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, age, professional group, and psychotherapeutic school were gathered. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the 51-item survey. Results 129 PTs completed the survey. Only a small proportion of respondents (30 out of 129, 23.3%) suspected that open notes would improve the efficiency of psychotherapeutic care. On the one hand, participants assumed that patients gain more control over their treatment (59 out of 129, 45.7%) and are better able to remember therapy goals (55 out of 129, 42.6%), although this was considered unlikely to lead to greater engagement in the therapy process (94 out of 129, 72.9%). On the other hand, PTs expected patients to misunderstand their notes, feel offended (98 out of 129, 76.0%), and approach them with questions (107 out of 129, 82.9%) or requests for changes (94 out of 129, 72.9%). The respondents also anticipated being less honest when writing (95 out of 129, 73.6%) and reported they needed more time for documentation (99 out of 129, 76.7%). A meaningful use of open notes for working with relatives was envisaged (101 out of 129, 78.3%). Conclusion PTs in Germany tend to have a negative attitude towards patients’ ORA on open notes. Further research on clinical efficacy and feasibility is necessary to demonstrate whether open notes add value in the context of psychotherapy.
Evaluation of the Garmin Vivofit 4 for assessing sleep in youth experiencing sleep disturbances
Authors: Hibbing Paul R , Pilla Madison , Birmingham Lauryn , Byrd Aniya , Ndagijimana Tumusifu , Sadeghi Sara , Seigfreid Nedra , Farr Danielle , Al-Shawwa Baha , Ingram David G , Carlson Jordan A 
Published: September 2024

Objective Wearable monitors are increasingly used to assess sleep. However, validity is unknown for certain monitors and populations. We tested the Garmin Vivofit 4 in a pediatric clinical sample. Methods Participants (n = 25) wore the monitor on their nondominant wrist during an overnight polysomnogram. Garmin and polysomnography were compared using 95% equivalence testing, mean absolute error, and Bland-Altman analysis. Results On average (mean ± SD), the Garmin predicted later sleep onset (by 0.84 ± 1.60 hours) and earlier sleep offset (by 0.34 ± 0.70 hours) than polysomnography. The resulting difference for total sleep time was −0.55 ± 1.21 hours. Sleep onset latency was higher for Garmin than polysomnography (77.4 ± 100.9 and 22.8 ± 20.0 minutes, respectively), while wake after sleep onset was lower (5.2 ± 9.3 and 43.2 ± 37.9 minutes, respectively). Garmin sleep efficiency averaged 3.3% ± 13.8% lower than polysomnography. Minutes in light sleep and deep sleep (the latter including rapid eye movement) were within ±3.3% of polysomnography (both SDs = 14.9%). No Garmin means were significantly equivalent with polysomnography (adjusted p > 0.99). Mean absolute errors were 0.47 to 0.95 hours for time-based variables (sleep onset, offset, and latency, plus total sleep time and wake after sleep onset), and 8.9% to 21.2% for percentage-based variables (sleep efficiency and sleep staging). Bland-Altman analysis showed systematic bias for wake after sleep onset, but not other variables. Conclusions The Vivofit 4 showed consistently poor individual-level validity, while group-level validity was better for some variables (total sleep time and sleep efficiency) than others.
Dental panoramic X-ray image segmentation for multi-feature coordinate position learning
Authors: Ma Tian , Dang Zhenrui , Yang Yizhou , Yang Jiayi , Li Jiahui 
Published: September 2024

Objective To achieve an accurate assessment of orthodontic and restorative treatments, tooth segmentation of dental panoramic X-ray images is a critical preliminary step, however, dental panoramic X-ray images suffer from poorly defined interdental boundaries and low root-to-alveolar bone contrast, which pose significant challenges to tooth segmentation. In this article, we propose a multi-feature coordinate position learning-based tooth image segmentation method for tooth segmentation. Methods For better analysis, the input image is randomly flipped horizontally and vertically to enhance the data. Our method extracts multi-scale tooth features from the designed residual omni-dimensional dynamic convolution and the designed two-stream coordinate attention module can further complement the tooth boundary features, and finally the two features are fused to enhance the local details of the features and global contextual information, which achieves the enrichment and optimization of the feature information. Results The publicly available adult dental datasets Archive and Dataset and Code were used in the study. The experimental results were 87.96% and 92.04% for IoU, 97.79% and 97.32% for ACC, and 86.42% and 95.64% for Dice. Conclusion The experimental results show that the proposed network can be used to assist doctors in quickly viewing tooth positions, and we also validate the effectiveness of the proposed two modules in fusing features.
Development of digital health management systems in longitudinal study: The Malaysian cohort experience
Authors: Abdullah Noraidatulakma , Husin Nurul Faeizah , Goh Ying-Xian , Kamaruddin Mohd Arman , Abdullah Mohd Shaharom , Yusri Aiman Fitri , Kamalul Arifin Azwa Shawani , Jamal Rahman 
Published: September 2024

Background The management of extensive longitudinal data in cohort studies presents significant challenges, particularly in middle-income countries like Malaysia where technological resources may be limited. These challenges include ensuring data integrity, security, and scalability of storage solutions over extended periods. Objective This article outlines innovative methods developed and implemented by The Malaysian Cohort project to effectively manage and maintain large-scale databases from project inception through the follow-up phase, ensuring robust data privacy and security. Methods We describe the comprehensive strategies employed to develop and sustain the database infrastructure necessary for handling large volumes of data collected during the study. This includes the integration of advanced information management systems and adherence to stringent data security protocols. Outcomes Key achievements include the establishment of a scalable database architecture and an effective data privacy framework that together support the dynamic requirements of longitudinal healthcare research. The solutions implemented serve as a model for similar cohort studies in resource-limited settings. The article also explores the broader implications of these methodologies for public health and personalized medicine, addressing both the challenges posed by big data in healthcare and the opportunities it offers for enhancing disease prevention and management strategies. Conclusion By sharing these insights, we aim to contribute to the global discourse on improving data management practices in cohort studies and to assist other researchers in overcoming the complexities associated with longitudinal health data.
Combination of machine learning algorithms with natural language processing may increase the probability of bacteremia detection in the emergency department: A retrospective, big-data analysis of 94,482 patients
Authors: Ben-Haim Gal , Yosef Mika , Rowand Eyade , Ben-Yosef Jonathan , Berman Aya , Sina Sigal , Halabi Nitsan , Grossbard Eitan , Marziano Yehonatan , Segal Gad 
Published: September 2024

Background Prompt diagnosis of bacteremia in the emergency department (ED) is of utmost importance. Nevertheless, the average time to first clinical laboratory finding range from 1 to 3 days. Alongside a myriad of scoring systems for occult bacteremia prediction, efforts for applying artificial intelligence (AI) in this realm are still preliminary. In the current study we combined an AI algorithm with a Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm that would potentially increase the yield extracted from clinical ED data. Methods This study involved adult patients who visited our emergency department and at least one blood culture was taken to rule out bacteremia. Using both tabular and free text data, we built an ensemble model that leverages XGBoost for structured data, and logistic regression (LR) on a word-analysis technique called bag-of-words (BOW) Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF), for textual data. All algorithms were designed in order to predict the risk for bacteremia with ED patients whose blood cultures were sent to the laboratory. Results The study cohort comprised 94,482 individuals, of whom 52% were males. The prevalence of bacteremia in the entire cohort was 9.7%. The model trained on the tabular data yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 73.7% for XGBoost, while the LR that was trained on the free text achieved an AUC of 71.3%. After checking a range of weights, the best combination was for 55% weight on the XGBoost prediction and 45% weight on the LR prediction. The final model prediction yielded an AUC of 75.6%. Conclusion Harnessing artificial intelligence to the task of bacteremia surveillance in the ED settings by a combination of both free text and tabular data analysis improved predictive performance compared to using tabular data alone. We recommend that future AI applications based on our findings should be assimilated into the clinical routines of ED physicians.
Strengthening health monitoring: Intention and adoption of Internet of Things-enabled wearable healthcare devices
Authors: Yang Qing , Al Mamun Abdullah , Wu Mengling , Naznen Farzana 
Published: September 2024

Objective Health self-monitoring technologies are gaining popularity worldwide, but they face low adoption rates in emerging countries. There is a deficiency in studies that have applied the value-belief-norm (VBN) model to understand the adoption of IoT-enabled wearable healthcare devices (WHDs). This study investigates the adoption of IoT-enabled WHDs among older adults in China, using the VBN model as a theoretical framework. Methods Using a convenience sampling method and a web-based cross-sectional survey method, we collected data from 476 respondents, which we analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling using Smart PLS version 3.3.5. Results The findings highlight the significance of health values and motivation in shaping personal health beliefs, which, in turn, influence personal norms and awareness of consequences. Particularly, awareness of consequences and attributions of responsibility significantly impact personal norms. Personal and social norms, in turn, strongly affect the intention to adopt IoT-enabled WHDs, ultimately driving their actual adoption. Conclusion This research contributes novel insights into the behavioral dynamics surrounding the adoption of IoT-enabled WHDs, providing valuable guidance for marketers and policymakers. Marketers can leverage these insights to develop tailored marketing strategies within the IoT-enabled WHD industry. Additionally, policymakers are urged to prioritize campaigns aimed at enhancing awareness and understanding of self-healthcare monitoring, with a focus on promoting the unique health benefits of IoT-enabled WHDs.
A robotic emulator for the systematic exploration of transtibial biarticular prosthesis designs
Authors: Anderson Anthony J , Gauthier Kira A , Varre Mathew Sunil , Nickerson Kimberly A , Muir Brittney C , Aubin Patrick M 
Published: September 2024

People with transtibial limb loss frequently experience suboptimal gait outcomes. This is partly attributable to the absence of the biarticular gastrocnemius muscle, which plays a unique role in walking. Although a recent surge of biarticular prostheses aims to restore gastrocnemius function, the broad design space and lack of consensus on optimal hardware and control strategies present scientific and engineering challenges. This study introduces a robotic biarticular prosthesis emulator, comprising a uniarticular ankle-foot prosthesis and knee flexion exoskeleton, each actuated by a custom off-board system. Benchtop experiments were conducted to characterize the emulator’s mechatronic performance. Walking experiments with one transtibial amputee demonstrated the system’s capability to provide knee and ankle assistance. The −3 dB bandwidths for the knee exoskeleton’s torque and motor velocity controllers were measured at approximately 5 Hz and 100 Hz, respectively. A feedforward iterative learning controller reduced the root-mean-squared torque tracking error from 6.04 Nm to 0.99 Nm in hardware-in-the-loop experiments, an 84% improvement. User-preference-based tuning yielded a peak knee torque of approximately 20% of the estimated biological knee moment. This biarticular prosthesis emulator demonstrates significant potential as a versatile research platform that can offer valuable insights for the advancement of lower-limb assistive devices.
Perceived Usefulness of Robotic Technology for Patient Fall Prevention
Authors: Logsdon M. Cynthia , Kondaurova Irina , Zhang Nancy , Das Sumit , Edwards Bryan D. , Mitchell Heather , Nasroui Olfa , Erdmann Marjorie , Yu Hyejin , Alqatamin Moath , Ardakani Payman Sharafian , Wuensch Emmaline , Popa Dan O. 
Published: September 2024

Background: Technology has the potential to prevent patient falls in healthcare settings and to reduce work-related injuries among healthcare providers. However, the usefulness and acceptability of each technology requires careful evaluation. Framed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and using the Adaptive Robotic Nursing Assistant (ARNA) to assist with patient ambulation, the present study examined the perceived usefulness of robots in patients’ fall prevention with implications for preventing associated work-related injuries among healthcare providers. Methods: Employing an experimental design, subjects were undergraduate nursing students ( N = 38) and one external subject (not a nursing student) who played the role of the patient. Procedures included subjects ambulating a simulated patient in three ways: (a) following the practice of a nurse assisting a patient to walk with the patient wearing a gait belt; (b) an ARNA-assisted process with the gait belt attached to ARNA; (c) an ARNA-assisted process with a subject walking a patient wearing a harness that is attached to ARNA. Block randomization was used with the following experimental scenarios: Gait Belt (human with a gait belt), “ARNA + Gait Belt” (a robot with a gait belt), and “ARNA + Harness” (a robot with a harness). Descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model were used to analyze the data and compare the outcome described as the Perceived Usefulness (PU) of a robot for patient walking versus a human “nurse assistant” without a robot. The independent variables included the experimental conditions of “Gait Belt,” “ARNA + Gait Belt,” and “ARNA + Harness,” the subject’s age, race, and previous videogame playing experience. Findings: Results indicated that PU was significantly higher in the Gait Belt + ARNA and Harness + ARNA conditions than in the Gait Belt condition ( p-value <.01 for both variables). In examining potential influencing factors, the effects of race (White, African American, and Asian), age, and previous video-playing experience were not statistically significant ( p-value >.05). Discussion: Results demonstrated that using robot technology to assist in walking patients was perceived by subjects as more useful in preventing falls than the gait belt. Patient fall prevention also has implications for preventing associated work-related injuries among healthcare providers. Implications: Understanding the effects of a subject’s perceptions can guide further development of assistive robots in patient care. Robotic engineers and interdisciplinary teams can design robots to accommodate worker characteristics and individual differences to improve worker safety and reduce work injuries.
A Theory-Guided Qualitative Exploration of Occupational Influences on Firefighters’ Dietary Behaviors
Authors: Horton Dias Cynthia , Catledge Courtney , Dawson Robin M. 
Published: September 2024

Background: Firefighters face many inherent occupational health hazards and increased risk for several cancers, making peak health essential. However, cardiac events and stroke continue as leading causes of on-duty deaths. Healthy diets promote prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancers. While some dietary interventions have been undertaken, sustained improvements have not been observed. Understanding firefighters’ occupational influences on dietary behavior is vital for implementation of effective interventions to improve nutrition. Methods: The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) guided this qualitative study. Nine focus groups of firefighters who work 24-hour shifts and one interview with a fire administrator ( N = 34) were conducted in 2018 across South Carolina, United States. Findings: Predominant TDF domains of influence for workplace dietary behaviors included social/professional role and identity; social influences; environmental context and resources; knowledge; beliefs about consequences; memory, attention, and decision processes; and emotion. Four emergent themes mapped to TDF domains: “We are family”: Firefighters feel a strong identity in their work and with peers; “If you are a firefighter, you’ve got a second job”: Firefighters experience many limitations in personal and workplace resources; “That kills us”: Firefighters were knowledgeable about most all occupational health and safety risks except dietary risks; and “You’re tired, wore out”: Occupational stress influenced nutritional choice making. Conclusions: Firefighters experience many barriers to healthy eating while at work due to unique occupational influences. The findings from this study highlighted specific behavioral domains and barriers to be intervened upon that may increase the likelihood of long-term adoption of healthier dietary practices by firefighters.