bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Presentation of the first international research network to foster high-quality clinical trials testing non-pharmacological interventions (TRACTION network)
Authors: Ferreira Ricardo J O , Henriques Adriana , Moe Rikke H , Matos Cristiano , Tveter Anne-Therese , Osteras Nina , Nogueira Paulo , Costa Andreia Silva , Haavardsholm Espen A , Carmona Loreto , Richards David 
Published: July 2024

Clinical trials are essential for evaluating the efficacy and safety of new treatments and health interventions. However, while pharmacological trials are well-established, non-pharmacological trials face unique challenges related to their complexity and difficulties such as recruitment, retention, intervention standardisation, selection of outcome measures and blinding of clinicians, participants and data collectors. This communication paper describes the objectives, implementation steps and bylaws of the ‘Trials foR heAlth Care inTerventIONs’ Network (TRACTION), established by an international multiprofessional task force of experts to foster high-quality non-pharmacological research, ultimately improving patient care and healthcare outcomes.The TRACTION research network will provide information and resources through a collaborative hub for researchers, health professionals, patient research partners and stakeholders in diverse biomedical and healthcare areas, connecting people with different levels of expertise but with the same interests (eg, to evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological interventions, recruiting participants). This open network will support researchers in optimising trial design, participant recruitment, data management and analysis, and disseminating and implementing trial results.The network will also facilitate specialisation training and provide educational materials and mentoring.
Validation of a national leadership framework to promote and protect quality residential aged care: protocol for a Delphi study
Authors: Dawes Nathan , Topp Stephanie M , Adegboye Oyelola 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionAustralia’s ageing population is driving an increased demand for residential aged care services, yet concerns about the quality and safety of such care remain. The recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified various limitations relating to leadership within these services. While some competency frameworks exist globally, there is a need for sector-specific leadership competencies in the Australian residential aged care setting to promote and protect quality of care.Methods and analysisThis study uses the Delphi technique to establish the content validity of a national leadership framework (RCSM-QF) for promoting and protecting the quality of residential aged care in Australia. Participants will be identifiable experts through current employment within, policy development for or research with the aged care sector. The survey will ask participants to rate the relevance, importance and clarity of RCSM-QF items and their corresponding descriptions and seek suggestions for revisions or additional items. Content validity will be assessed using the Content Validity Index, with items meeting specific criteria retained, revised, or removed.Ethics and DisseminationEthics approval has been sought via the James Cook University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) to ensure the well-being and convenience of participants while mitigating potential recruitment challenges. Data will be prepared for submission to an appropriate peer-reviewed journal and presentation at relevant academic conferences.
Access to and utilisation of antimicrobials among forcibly displaced persons in Uganda, Yemen and Colombia: a pilot cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kamiab Hesari David , Aljadeeah Saleh , Brhlikova Petra , Hyzam Dalia , Komakech Henry , Patiño Rueda Jhon Sebastián , Ocampo Cañas Jovana , Ching Carly , Orubu Samuel , Bernal Acevedo Oscar , Basaleem Huda , Orach Christopher Garimoi , Zaman Muhammad , Prazeres da Costa Clarissa 
Published: July 2024

ObjectivesIdentifying key barriers to accessing quality-assured and affordable antimicrobials among forcibly displaced persons in Uganda, Yemen and Colombia and investigating their (1) utilisation patterns of antibiotics, (2) knowledge about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and (3) perception of the quality of antimicrobials received.DesignPilot cross-sectional survey.SettingData were collected from five health facilities in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement (Bweyale, Uganda), three camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Dar Sad district (Aden, Yemen) and a district with a high population of Venezuelan migrants (Kennedy district, Bogotá, Colombia). Data collection took place between February and May 2021. The three countries were selected due to their high number of displaced people in their respective continents.ParticipantsSouth Sudanese refugees in Uganda, IDPs in Yemen and Venezuelan migrants in Colombia.Outcome measureThe most common barriers to access to quality-assured and affordable antimicrobials.ResultsA total of 136 participants were enrolled in this study. Obtaining antimicrobials through informal pathways, either without a doctor’s prescription or through family and friends, was common in Yemen (27/50, 54.0%) and Colombia (34/50, 68.0%). In Yemen and Uganda, respondents used antibiotics to treat (58/86, 67.4%) and prevent (39/86, 45.3%) a cold. Knowledge of AMR was generally low (24/136, 17.6%). Barriers to access included financial constraints in Colombia and Uganda, prescription requirements in Yemen and Colombia, and non-availability of drugs in Uganda and Yemen.ConclusionOur multicentred research identified common barriers to accessing quality antimicrobials among refugees/IDPs/migrants and common use of informal pathways. The results suggest that knowledge gaps about AMR may lead to potential misuse of antimicrobials. Due to the study’s small sample size and use of non-probability sampling, the results should be interpreted with caution, and larger-scale assessments on this topic are needed. Future interventions designed for similar humanitarian settings should consider the interlinked barriers identified.
‘Two sides of the same coin’? A longitudinal analysis evaluating whether financial austerity accelerated NHS privatisation in England 2013-2020
Authors: Goodair Benjamin , Bach-Mortensen Anders Malthe , Reeves Aaron 
Published: July 2024

ObjectivesTo understand the relationship between increasing privatisation of the NHS and austerity cuts to public funding.DesignLongitudinal analysis.Setting170 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England between 2013 and 2020.InterventionThe UK austerity programme, spearheaded by the conservative-led governments of the 2010s, leveraged the 2008 financial crisis to roll-back spending to local government and social security spending. They also restricted the rate of growth in NHS spending—but cuts varied for different areas, often impacting deprived areas hardest.Main outcomeFor-profit outsourcing by NHS commissioners. After the implementation of the 2012 Health and Social Care act commissioners were encouraged and obliged to open contracts to the private sector. The uptake of for-profit outsourcing varied massively. Some CCGs contracted out almost half of their activity, and others almost none.ResultsWe calculate the size of austerity across all CCGs. The financial restrictions meant that commissioners had, on average, £21.2 m more debt by 2021 than in 2014 in real terms. We find that there is a null and very small effect of changes to local NHS funding on for-profit outsourcing. A decrease in £100 per capita of NHS funding corresponds in a decrease in 0.441 percentage points (95% CI −0.240 to 1.121) of for-profit expenditure. We also find that local changes to public expenditure on the NHS, local government and social security do not confound the relationship between for-profit outsourcing and treatable mortality rates.ConclusionsNHS privatisation at the local level does not appear to be a direct response to or result of austerity. That does not mean that it is unproblematic. Rather than being confounded by funding levels, the deteriorating health outcomes associated with privatisation should be considered as a distinct concern to the disastrous health effects of austerity policies.
Reduced noise in the emergency department: the impact on staff well-being and room acoustics
Authors: Hendriks Sofie , Vernooij Claudia M , O'Connor Rory D , Jie Kim E 
Published: July 2024

Background and introductionThe ED is often perceived as noisy. Excessive noise has deleterious effects on health and productivity. This study evaluated if a package of noise-reducing interventions altered workload, physical complaints, productivity and room acoustics.MethodsThis was an observational pre-post implementation study. It was performed in our non-academic ED in the Netherlands from July 2021 to April 2022. Our primary objective was to determine if a combination of technical, acoustical and behavioural interventions was associated with improved staff well-being, and the secondary objective was to evaluate if these interventions resulted in better room acoustics. Moreover, the correlation of noise sensitivity with staff well-being and its effect on interventions were evaluated. All ED staff that were sufficiently exposed to the interventions received questionnaires to assess their well-being before and after the interventions. Room acoustics before and after interventions were expressed in reverberation time (seconds) and participant ratings are reflected as the mean of the sum of their Likert scale ratings.Results43 participants were included. At baseline, individual noise sensitivity was significantly correlated with physical complaints (r=0.409, p=0.006) and productivity (r=0.399, p=0.008). After the interventions, a reduction in reverberation time was reached in the central ED area (0.49 s, SD 0.06 s vs 0.39 s, SD 0.05; p<0.001). Participants experienced significantly less noise disturbance during work (sum score 7.28 vs 3.19; p<0.001). Productivity and physical complaints improved significantly (sum score 4.81 vs 2.70; p<0.001 and sum score −3.74 vs −8.14; p<0.001, respectively). Participants also showed a perceived change in behaviour (sum score −2.00 vs −4.70; p<0.001). There was no confounding by noise sensitivity nor age.ConclusionThe package of behavioural, acoustical and technical interventions was associated with increased staff well-being, reflected by decreased perception of noise, increased productivity, decreased physical complaints and observable changes in behaviour. Furthermore, the interventions positively influenced the room acoustics.
Giardia duodenalisin men who have sex with men: a systematic review
Authors: Dubey Vaibhav , Sivachandran Vidhushan , Wahab Natasha , Llewellyn Carrie , Richardson Daniel 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveGiardia duodenaliscauses enteritis and malabsorption and can be sexually transmissible in men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with MSM withG. duodenalis.MethodsMEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PubMed, Global Health and Web of Science were searched for manuscripts published up to February 2024. The primary author screened manuscript titles and abstracts; two authors independently reviewed full-text manuscripts for eligibility and risk of bias. We only included manuscripts that included MSM withG. duodenalisand explored at least one risk factor or association. Narrative data were synthesised following the population of a predetermined table.ResultsTwelve manuscripts were included in this review, including cross-sectional studies (n=7), case series (n=3), cohort study (n=1), case-control study (n=1), from the USA (n=8), the UK (n=1), Cuba (n=1), Spain (n=1) and Canada (n=1) published between 1977 and 2024 and included 191 MSM withG. duodenalis. This review highlighted demographic (living with HIV and living with HIV with a CD4 count <400 cells/mL), biological (coinfection withNeisseria gonorrhoeae,Chlamydia trachomatis,Escherichia coli,Entamoeba histolytica, non-pathogenic enteric parasites, intestinal spirochaetosis,Enterobius vermicularis, previousTreponema pallidum,N. gonorrhoeae,Shigellaspp, hepatitis A,E. histolyticaandG. duodenalis) and behavioural (lack of anal douching, oral-anal sex, oral sex, anal sex, group sex, use of sex toys, having more than one sexual partner per week, non-condom use, being part of a sexual network or having a sexual partner withG. duodenalis) factors associated with MSM withG. duodenalis.ConclusionThis review has highlighted some demographic, behavioural and biological factors associated with MSM withG. duodenalis, which provide insight for public health control strategies and future research.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023477691.
Financial strain, schooling modality and mental health of US adults living with children during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ettman Catherine K , Badillo-Goicoechea Elena , Stuart Elizabeth A 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic upended contexts for families; relatively little work has studied the influence of rapidly changing contexts on the mental health of parents. We aimed to assess the relation between financial strain and schooling modality with the mental health of adults living with school-age children across the pandemic.MethodsUsing a large, national sample from the COVID-19 Trends and Impact Surveys (N=1 485 072 responses from November 2020 through June 2022), we used weighted multiple logistic regression with interactions for school semester to estimate changes in the association of frequent feelings of depression and anxiety, respectively, with financial strain and schooling modality, controlling for demographics and state, across time.ResultsIn all time periods, financial strain was associated with reporting frequent feelings of depression and anxiety, respectively. The association grew over time (p<0.001) from adjusted OR (aOR) 2.25 (95% CI 2.19, 2.32)/aOR 2.63 (95% CI 2.54, 2.73) in Autumn 2020 to aOR 3.11 (95% CI 3.01, 3.22)/aOR 3.79 (95% CI 3.64, 3.95) in Spring 2022. Living with children in fully online versus in-person schooling was associated with frequent feelings of anxiety and depression symptoms in all time periods, and increased from aOR 1.08 (1.05, 1.11)/aOR 1.06 (1.02, 1.10) in Autumn 2020 to aOR 1.20 (1.10, 1.32)/aOR 1.28 (1.16, 1.42) in Spring 2022.ConclusionAssociations between financial strain and online-only schooling with poor mental health increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies to support parents in the face of external stressors, such as economic instability and school closures, may improve overall population mental health.
Educational inequalities in deaths of despair in 14 OECD countries: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Lübker Christopher , Murtin Fabrice 
Published: July 2024

Background
Deaths of despair are a key contributor to stagnating life expectancy in the USA, especially among those without a university-level education, but these findings have not been compared internationally.

Methods
Mortality and person-year population exposure data were collected in 14 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries and stratified by age, sex, educational attainment and cause of death. The sample included 1.4 billion person-year observations from persons aged ≥25 years between 2013 and 2019. Country-specific and sex-specific contributions of deaths of despair to: (a) the life expectancy gap at age 25 and (b) rate differences in age-standardised mortality rates between high and low educational attainment groups were calculated.

Results
Eliminating deaths of despair could reduce the life expectancy gap in the USA by 1.1 years for men and 0.6 years for women was second only to Korea, where it would reduce the gap by 3.4 years for men and 2.2 years for women. In Italy, Spain and Türkiye, eliminating deaths of despair would improve life expectancy gains by less than 0.1 years for women and 0.3 years for men, closing the educational gap by <1%. Findings were robust to controls for differences in population structures.

Conclusions
Deaths of despair are a major determinant of educational inequalities in longevity in Korea and the USA, while having limited impact in Southern European countries, indicating substantial international variation and scope for improvement in high burden high-income countries.
Effects of popliteal plexus block after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sørensen Johan Kløvgaard , Grevstad Ulrik , Jaeger Pia , Nikolajsen Lone , Runge Charlotte 
Published: July 2024

Background and objectivesMotor-sparing peripheral nerve blocks enhance multimodal opioid-sparing strategies after total knee arthroplasty. We hypothesized that adding a popliteal plexus block to a femoral triangle block could reduce 24-hour opioid consumption after total knee arthroplasty, compared with standalone femoral triangle block or adductor canal block.MethodsThis patient- and assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial allocated 165 patients into three equally sized parallel groups, receiving either 1) popliteal plexus block+femoral triangle block, 2) femoral triangle block, or 3) adductor canal block. Intravenous oxycodone was administered via patient-controlled analgesia pumps. The primary outcome was 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes were preoperative maximum voluntary isometric contraction and manual muscle tests of knee and ankle movement assessed before and after the nerve block procedure together with postoperative pain scores, mobilization, and 12-hour opioid consumption.Results24-hour postoperative intravenous oxycodone consumption varied significantly between groups (p<0.01), with medians (IQR) of 6 mg (2–12) in the popliteal plexus block+femoral triangle block group, 10 mg (8–16) in the femoral triangle block group, and 12 mg (6–18) in the adductor canal block group. Median consumption in the popliteal plexus block+femoral triangle block group was reduced by −4 mg (95% CI −7.4 to –1.0, p<0.01) and −6 mg (95% CI −8.3 to –1.3, p=0.01) compared with groups of femoral triangle block and adductor canal block, respectively. No differences were found in pain scores, mobilization, or changes in preoperative muscle strength. Post hoc analysis revealed successful 24-hour opioid-free postoperative care among 12 patients with popliteal plexus block+femoral triangle block, as compared with two with femoral triangle block and six with adductor canal block.ConclusionAdding a popliteal plexus block to a femoral triangle block resulted in a statistically significant reduction of 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption after total knee arthroplasty. However, no differences were found in pain scores. Popliteal plexus block did not impair the lower leg muscles.
IQOS news media coverage in Israel: a comparison across three subpopulations
Authors: Khayat Amal , Bar-Zeev Yael , Kaufman Yechiel , Berg Carla , Abroms Lorien , Duan Zongshuan , LoParco Cassidy R , Wang Yan , Cui Yuxian , Levine Hagai 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundPhilip Morris International’s (PMI) IQOS, a leading heated tobacco product globally, entered the Israeli market in 2016. IQOS and/or electronic cigarette use is higher in Israel’s Arab population (2.8% vs 1.2% of Jews). However, previous research indicated possible targeting of the Ultra-orthodox Jewish population with more IQOS paid ads. This paper examined how IQOS is framed in news media articles directed at three subpopulations in Israel: Arab, Ultra-orthodox Jews and general public.MethodsMedia articles (January–October 2020) were obtained from Ifat media and were coded using abductive coding. Characteristics of articles (photo and article content) targeting each subpopulation were compared using χ2, Fisher’s exact test, one-way analysis of variance and median test, as appropriate.ResultsOf the 63 unique articles identified, 16 targeted Arab, 24 Ultra-orthodox Jews and 23 general public. Arab and Ultra-orthodox Jewish media significantly differed from the general public’s media in their positive framing of PMI (100% Arab and 75% Ultra-orthodox Jews vs 52% general public, p=0.004), and IQOS (100% Arab and 88% Ultra-orthodox Jews vs 61% general public, p=0.006). Arab media differed from others by highlighting IQOS’ retail locations (81% vs 17% Ultra-orthodox Jews and 13% general public), social benefits (88% vs 8% Ultra-orthodox Jews and 17% general public) and reflecting content from PMI’s press release (100% vs 46% Ultra-orthodox Jews and 35% general public; ps <0.001).ConclusionsIQOS was framed more positively in media targeting minority populations (Arab and Ultra-orthodox Jews), compared with general public. Arabic media in particular emphasised IQOS’ retail accessibility and social benefits. These findings highlight the need for media surveillance and regulation, especially of minority-oriented media.
Platinum complexes with pyridyl derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole
Authors: Abo-Amer Anwar , Boyle Paul D. , Puddephatt Richard J. 
Published: July 2024

The chemistry of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) with the ligands 3,4,5-tris(2-pyridyl)-4-H-1,2,4-triazole, L1, and 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-4-H-1,2,4-triazole, L2, is described. The ligand L1 forms platinum(II) complexes [PtXY(κ2-N, N′-L1)] (X, Y = Cl, Cl; Cl, Me; Me, Me) by chelation while ligand L2 forms either analogous chelate complexes [PtXY(κ2- N, N′-L2)] (X, Y = Cl, Me; Me, Me) or acts as a monodentate ligand in forming trans-[PtCl2(SMe2)(κ1 -N-L2)], in which only the 4-pyridyl group is coordinated. The electron-rich dimethylplatinum(II) complexes undergo oxidative addition reactions with methyl iodide to give [PtIMe3(κ2-N, N′-L1)], or with dichloromethane to give [PtClMe2(CH2Cl)(κ2-N, N′-L1)] or [PtClMe2(CH2Cl)(κ2-N, N′-L2)], each of which is formed as a mixture of three isomers. Structure determinations of several of these complexes are reported.
Nursing behavior of wild polar bears in the Canadian High Arctic
Authors: Stirling Ian , Burns Lynne E. , Regehr Eric V. , Laidre Kristin L. , Spencer Cheryl 
Published: July 2024

During 17 spring and summer field seasons between 1973 and 1999, we documented 220 bouts of nursing by dependent polar bear ( Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774) cubs at Radstock Bay, Nunavut, Canada. The overall mean duration of nursing bouts for cubs-of-the-year (COY) and yearlings (YRLG) litters was 7.1 min (standard deviation (SD) = 3.3, range = 1–23). Mean nursing bout durations of one- and two-cub litters of COY and YRLG in spring and summer seasons ranged from 6.09 to 7.78 min and from 5.00 to 9.18 min, respectively. The overall mean duration of inter-nursing intervals for COY and YRLG litters was 5.7 h (SD = 4.9, range = 0.0–35.0). The mean inter-nursing interval for one-cub litters was 6.4 h (SD = 4.6, range = 0.0–20.2) and for two-cub litters was 5.1 h (SD = 5.1, range = 0.0–35.0). We found no evidence for effects of season or cub age class on nursing behavior. We found weak evidence that two-cub litters nurse slightly longer than one-cub litters, potentially reflecting reduced nursing efficiency due to sibling rivalry. There was neither evidence for diel patterns in nursing behavior nor a detectable relationship between the cessation of nursing and the onset of hunting or sleeping by the adult female.