bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
H-coil repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation does not improve executive function in patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain: a randomized sham-controlled crossover study
Authors: Farnes Nadine , Jacobsen Henrik B. , Stubhaug Audun , Vambheim Sara M. 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionDeep rTMS is an increasingly popular noninvasive brain stimulation technique which has shown promise for treating cognitive impairments. However, few studies have investigated the cognitive effects it could exert in patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of deep rTMS on executive functioning in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain, in a randomized, double-blind crossover trial.MethodsIn total, 17 patients were randomly assigned to receive both active and sham deep H-coil rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex. Each treatment period consisted of five daily rTMS sessions. Selected tests of executive functioning from the CANTAB test battery (paired associates learning, stop signal task, spatial working memory and multitasking test) were performed at baseline, and at 1 week and 3 weeks follow-ups.ResultsWe did not find any significant interactions between time and treatment for the measures of executive functioning for the patient group, or for patients with reduced cognition compared to normative means.ConclusionHigh-frequency deep H-coil rTMS targeting the hand area of the primary motor cortex and delivered over 5 consecutive days did not improve executive functioning in patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05488808.
Acceptance of electronic referrals across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: results from a national e-health database
Authors: Alharbi Abdullah A. , Aljerian Nawfal A. , Binhotan Meshary S. , Alghamdi Hani A. , AlOmar Reem S. , Alsultan Ali K. , Arafat Mohammed S. , Aldhabib Abdulrahman , Aloqayli Ahmed I. , Alwahbi Eid B. , Alabdulaali Mohammed K. 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionAn effective referral system is necessary to ensure quality and an optimum continuum of care. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an e-referral system known as the Saudi Medical Appointments and Referrals Centre (SMARC), has been fully functioning since 2019. This study aims to explore the rate of medical e-referral request acceptance in the KSA, and to study the factors associated with acceptance.MethodsThis period cross-sectional study utilised secondary collected data from the SMARC e-referral system. The data spans both 2020 and 2021 and covers the entirety of the KSA. Bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to compute adjusted Odds Ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsOf the total 632,763 referral requests across the 2 years, 469,073 requests (74.13%) were accepted. Absence of available machinery was a significant predictor for referral acceptance compared to other reasons. Acceptance was highest for children under 14 with 28,956 (75.48%) and 63,979 (75.48%) accepted referrals, respectively. Patients requiring critical care from all age groups also had the highest acceptance including 6,237 referrals for paediatric intensive care unit (83.54%) and 34,126 referrals for intensive care unit (79.65%). All lifesaving referrals, 42,087 referrals, were accepted (100.00%). Psychiatric patients were observed to have the highest proportion for accepted referrals with 8,170 requests (82.50%) followed by organ transplantations with 1,005 requests (80.92%). Sex was seen to be a significant predictor for referrals, where the odds of acceptances for females increased by 2% compared to their male counterparts (95% CI = 1.01–1.04). Also, proportion of acceptance was highest for the Eastern business unit compared to all other units. External referrals were 32% less likely to be accepted than internal referrals (95% CI = 0.67–0.69).ConclusionThe current findings indicate that the e-referral system is mostly able to cater to the health services of the most vulnerable of patients. However, there remains areas for health policy improvement, especially in terms of resource allocation.
Urban–rural disparities in minimum acceptable diet intake among children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia: A multivariable Decomposition analysis of Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2019
Authors: Mohammed Anissa , Tareke Abiyu Abadi , Keleb Awoke , Kebede Natnael , Tsega Yawkal , Endawkie Abel , Kebede Shimels Derso , Mesfin Abera Kaleab , Tilahun Abeje Eyob , Bekele Enyew Ermias , Daba Chala , Asmare Lakew , Bayou Fekade Demeke , Endris Hussien , Arefaynie Mastewal 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionThe achievement of the minimum acceptable diet intake (MAD) stands at 14% among urban and 10% among rural under-five children in Ethiopia. Consequently, identifying the determinants of the urban–rural gap is vital for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering healthier communities, and developing evidence-driven approaches to enhance health outcomes and address disparities.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to decompose the urban–rural disparities in minimum acceptable diet intake in Ethiopia using the Ethiopian Mini-Demographic and Health Survey 2019 data.MethodThe study was conducted using the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2019 report. A total of 1,496 weighted children aged 6–23 months were included using stratified sampling techniques. The main outcome variable minimum acceptable diet was calculated as a combined proportion of minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency. A decomposition analysis was used to analyze the factors associated with the urban–rural discrepancy of minimum acceptable diet intake, and the results were presented using tables and figures.ResultThe magnitude of minimum acceptable diet among children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia was 11.0%. There has been a significant disparity in the intake of minimum acceptable diet between urban and rural under-five children with 14 and 10%, respectively. Endowment factors were responsible for 70.2% of the discrepancy, followed by 45.1% with behavioral coefficients. Educational status of college and above was responsible for narrowing the gap between urban and rural residents by 23.9% (β = 0.1313, 95% CI: 0.0332–0.245). The number of children in the household and the age of the child between 18 and 23 months were responsible for widening the gap in minimum acceptable diet intake discrepancy between urban and rural residents by 30.7% and 3.36%, respectively (β = −0.002, 95% CI: −0.003 to −0.0011 and β = −30.7, 95% CI: −0.025 – −0.0085). From the effect coefficients, the effect of institutional delivery was responsible for 1.99% of the widening of the gap between urban and rural residents in minimum acceptable diet intake (β = −0.0862, 95% CI: −0.1711 – −0.0012).ConclusionThere is a significant variation between urban and rural residents in minimum acceptable diet. The larger portion of the discrepancy was explained by the endowment effect. Educational status of mothers with college and above, parity, age of child, and place of delivery were the significant factors contributing to the discrepancy of minimum acceptable diet intake between urban and rural residents.
Work-related challenges and their associated coping mechanisms among female head porters (Kayayei) in Ghana
Authors: Komesuor Joyce , Manu Emmanuel , Meyer-Weitz Anna 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundWhile internal migrants (Kayayei) in Ghana have been perceived as a vulnerable group facing various health-related challenges, there has not been enough research on the impact of their work on their health and well-being. This study investigated the lived experiences of the Kayayei to identify the health-related challenges associated with their work and the coping mechanisms they adopt in dealing with these challenges.MethodsWe interviewed 21 participants purposely selected and conducted two focus group discussions (FGD) of five participants each at the Agbogbloshie market. Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis Approach was used to identify themes and sub-themes. Statements from participants were presented as quotes to corroborate their views.ResultsThe work-related challenges identified in the study were physical health, mental health, accommodation, and social challenges. Religion, recreation, social support, hope, resilience, and self-medication were the coping strategies adopted by the study participants.ConclusionThe government of Ghana should be encouraged to work with stakeholders like social welfare to raise awareness about women’s rights, build their skills to increase their employment opportunities, enhance their safety, health, and overall well-being. It is also important to ensure the networking of relevant stakeholders to work with women in the informal sector to foster agency and provide support when needed.
Decline in academic performance and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey among Sapienza University of Rome students
Authors: Siena Leonardo Maria , Mussetto Ilaria , Renzi Erika , Baccolini Valentina , Migliara Giuseppe , Sciurti Antonio , Covelli Antonio , De Vito Corrado , Marzuillo Carolina , Villari Paolo , Massimi Azzurra 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to the education system, leading to changes in student academic performance and mental health. The aim of this study was to evaluate variables relating to changes in academic performance and mental health during the pandemic.MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional study from 28 February 2022 to 13 April 2022, during the free SARS-CoV-2 screening campaign offered by Sapienza University of Rome. A structured questionnaire was constructed to explore the decline in academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), a validated self-reporting mental health screener of dysfunctional anxiety associated with the coronavirus crisis, was used.ResultsA sample of 1,134 students was enrolled. A total of 25.4% of the participants reported a decline in academic performance. In addition, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale scores revealed that 133 (11.5%) students had a dysfunctional anxiety problem due to COVID-19. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that being a senior student (aOR: 0.70 95% CI: 0.52–0.96) and having good financial status (aOR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47–0.88) decrease the likelihood of a decline in academic performance, while not being Italian (aOR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.29–3.48), having felt the need for psychological support (aOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.87–3.55) and being enrolled in a science/technology faculty (aOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.27–2.57) were more likely to result in a decline in academic performance.ConclusionOur results show that the pandemic has affected academic performance. The COVID-19 emergency highlighted the importance of considering mental health and economic status in policymaking to effectively support students.
Multiple impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and antimicrobial stewardship on antimicrobial resistance in nosocomial infections: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Li Weibin , Yang Xinyi , Liu Chaojie , Liu Xu , Shi Lin , Zeng Yingchao , Xia Haohai , Li Jia , Zhao Manzhi , Yang Shifang , Li Xiaojie , Hu Bo , Yang Lianping 
Published: July 2024

ObjectivesThe emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt hospital management activities of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to determine the changing AMR trend over the period in China when stringent COVID-19 response measures were implemented.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted in a designated hospital for COVID-19 patients in Guangzhou, China from April 2018 to September 2021. The prevalence of 13 antimicrobial-resistant bacteria was compared before and after the COVID-19 responses through Chi-square tests. Interrupted time series (ITS) models on the weekly prevalence of AMR were established to determine the changing trend. Controlled ITS models were performed to compare the differences between subgroups.ResultsA total of 10,134 isolates over 1,265 days were collected. And antimicrobial-resistant strains presented in 38.6% of the testing isolates. The weekly AMR prevalence decreased by 0.29 percentage point (95% CI [0.05–0.80]) after antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) policy, despite an increase in the prevalence of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (from 0/43 to 15/43, p &lt; 0.001), carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (from 20/1254 to 41/1184, p = 0.005), and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (from 93/889 to 114/828, p = 0.042). And the changing trend did not vary by gender (male vs. female), age (&lt;65 vs. ≥65 years), service setting (outpatient vs. inpatient), care unit (ICU vs. non-ICU), the primary site of infection (Lung vs. others), and Gram type of bacteria (positive vs. negative).ConclusionThe response to COVID-19 did not lead to an increase in overall AMR; however, it appears that management strategy on the prudent use of antimicrobials likely contributed to a sizable long-term drop. The frequency of several multidrug-resistant bacteria continues to increase after the COVID-19 epidemic. It is crucial to continue to monitor AMR when COVID-19 cases have surged in China after the relaxation of restriction measures.
Persistence and activity levels of primitive reflexes in young high-level football players
Authors: Bastiere Julie , Lussiana Thibault , Young Damien , Gindre Cyrille , Mourot Laurent 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionPrimitive reflexes (PR) induce involuntary automatic movements in response to specific stimuli. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of active PR in young high-level football players.MethodologySixty-nine national-level football players from a French academy were tested (17.0 ± 1.4 years; 69.6 ± 8.0 kg; 178.9 ± 6.9 cm) to evaluate the persistence of PR, following the methodology of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) and the classification by a global score (GS). Based on the sum of seven tests, each was rated between 0 = null and 4 = max. The GS is classified into five categories from no activity to maximal (0–1 = no activity, 2–7 = low, 8–13 = medium, 14–21 = high, and 22–28 = maximal).ResultAround two-thirds (68.1%) of players presented active PR at different activity levels. Among them, a small proportion (7.2%) had medium GS, while 60.9% had a low GS. The GS was not dependent on field position or the age of the players (p &gt; 0.05). However, playing football in an age category higher than their own was associated with significantly more active primitive reflexes (PR) compared to being in their age category (p &lt; 0.01). The results showed that 72.7% of “upgraded” football players had low GS and 18.2% had medium GS, compared to 55.3% and 2.1% in the non-upgraded group.DiscussionThe findings of the current study demonstrate that PR could still be active in a healthy population of high-level football players. Practicing a single sport for years and upgrading players could create a negative environment that can ultimately lead to the activation of otherwise integrated PR.
The coproduction of a multilevel personal narrative intervention for people with aphasia in a community communication support group—A pilot study
Authors: Charalambous Marina , Symeou Rafaella Tereza , Theodorou Elena , Kambanaros Maria 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionPeople with aphasia (PWA) face challenges in sharing personal stories due to communication difficulties. Discourse treatment in aphasia focusing on personal narrative macrostructure has yet to receive the attention this warrants of researchers and clinicians. Emerging person-centered approaches involve coproduction and codesign with PWA for meaningful discourse treatments. Few studies explore discourse treatment's impact on functional communication. This pilot study aims to explore whether the use of the coproduction approach in the development of a multilevel personal narrative intervention at the group level increased the production of macrostructure elements in trained and untrained narrative discourse contexts, improved aphasia severity and functional communication skills, and advanced quality of life of the participants with aphasia.MethodsAn ABA design was followed featuring a pre-treatment baseline assessment phase, a treatment phase, and a post-treatment assessment phase immediately after treatment was completed. Three people with chronic stroke-induced aphasia, three communication partners, and a moderator took part in the study. All participants were members of a university-led community aphasia communication group. The research protocol consisted of eleven, two-hour, weekly sessions over an 11-week block. Nine treatment sessions were carried out following codesign and coproduction methods that focused on participants with aphasia producing words, sentences, and total communication strategies to express macrostructure elements in their personal stories. Assessment measures were collected at baseline and post-treatment to evaluate improvements in trained and untrained narrative abilities, aphasia severity, functional communication, and the impact of aphasia on quality of life.ResultsMultilevel personal narrative therapy improved the narrative skills of the participants with aphasia at the macrostructural level of narrative discourse. Improvements were also observed in functional communication and quality of life post-treatment.DiscussionThe involvement of participants with aphasia in the codesign and coproduction of the treatment content for the group intervention facilitated improvement in narrative skills, functional communication, and overall quality of life with aphasia. It is recommended that researchers and clinicians consider using content from the personal narratives of clients with aphasia to build discourse treatment and adopt codesign and coproduction approaches, when designing interventions for people with chronic aphasia, to improve communication outcomes in everyday life.
KECEMASAN PERAWAT IGD DALAM MENANGANI PASIEN COVID-19 PADA MASA NEW NORMAL
Authors: Selamat Andi , Ose Maria Imaculata , Darni Darni , Zulfiah Rahmatuz , Handayani Fitriya 
Published: July 2024

Dilansir dari situs resmi Gugus Tugas Percepatan Penanganan Covid-19, per 12 April 2021 persentase kasus Covid-19 di Provinsi Kalimantan Utara mencapai angka 0.7% dengan besaran kasus sebanyak 11.398. Dari besaran kasus tersebut, Kota Tarakan merupakan kota dengan kasus positif Covid-19 tertinggi di Provinsi Kalimantan Utara (Dinas Kesehatan, 2021). Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui gambaranÂ tingkat kecemasan perawat IGD dalam menangani pasien Covid-19 padaÂ Masa New Normal. Penelitian ini dilakukan secara Kuantitatif dengan Metode Deskriptif dan dengan menggunakan Total Sampling sebanyak 30 orang dengan masing â€“ masing Rumah Sakit sebanyak 15 sampel perawat. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan kuesioner Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) dan pengambilan data dilakukan pada bulan September 2022. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan bahwa dari dua rumah sakit yang diteliti responden lebih banyak yang mengalami kecemasan ringan dan sisanya tidak mengalami kecemasan sama sekali. Kesimpulan dari penelitian bahwa responden yang memiliki tingkat kecemasan ringan dan tidak cemas hal ini dikarenakan perawat sudah memiliki pengetahuan yang mulai baik mengenai informasi tentang Covid-19, baik cara penularan maupun cara pencegahan, adapun pengetahuan ini didapatkan atau bisa diakses melalui webinar, penyuluhan kesehatan, internet, media cetak maupun elektronik serta banyaknya leaflet yang terpampang di sekitar lingkungan rumah sakit meskipun demikian, namun mereka tetap merasakan cemas tapi rasa cemas tersebut dapat mereka kendalikan dengan tetap berfikiran positif.
Analisis Manajemen Risiko Teknologi Informasi pada PT XYZ (Perusahaan Manufacturing) menggunakan Framework COBIT 2019 dengan Domain EDM03 dan APO12
Authors: NYIMAS HAMIDAH PURNAMA AGUSTRIANI  
Published: July 2024

Industri manufaktur menghadapi risiko teknologi informasi yang signifikan, yang dapat dikelola menggunakan kerangka manajemen risiko seperti COBIT 2019. Namun, PT XYZ, sebuah perusahaan yang sangat bergantung pada teknologi, kurang memiliki kesadaran akan potensi risiko. Penelitian ini mengkaji risiko-risiko yang dihadapi PT XYZ, mengevaluasi metode manajemen risiko yang ada saat ini, dan mengeksplorasi penerapan Framework COBIT 2019 dalam manajemen risiko. Laporan ini memberikan rekomendasi bagi PT XYZ untuk meningkatkan manajemen risikonya guna meningkatkan efisiensi dan efektivitas. Temuan penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberikan rekomendasi yang konkret dan praktis bagi PT XYZ untuk meningkatkan manajemen risiko dan operasi bisnis mereka secara keseluruhan. Jika tidak memiliki tingkat penanganan yang tepat, teknologi informasi seperti itu tentu memiliki risiko-risiko yang tidak dapat dihindari. Untuk mengatasi hal tersebut, departemen ICT perlu melakukan penilaian tingkat kematangan atau capability level pada manajemen risiko sistem informasi. Penilaian ini menggunakan kerangka kerja COBIT 2019 dengan domain EDM03 dan APO12. Hasil dari penelitian ini pihak Departemen ICT PT. XYZ adalah membuat dokumen standat dan kebijakan serta implementasi proses optimasi Risiko TI dengan baik. Pencapaian tingkat kapabilitas manajemen Risiko TI perusahaan berada pada level 3 pada domain EDM03 dan level 2 pada domain APO12. Hasil tersebut tidak lepas karena akses penelitian yang terbatas. Tingkat GAP kapabilitas perusahaan ini masing-masing 1 tingkat yaitu level 4 pada domain EDM03 dan level 3 pada domain APO12.
Totally Extra Peritoneal Management of Inguinal Hernia Repair: Our Experience in a Public Sector Hospital
Authors: Saleem Hira , Khan Aurangzeb , Sabir Khan Huma , Nazan Hassan  , Naveed Akhtar Malik  , Muhammad Hanif  
Published: July 2024

Objective:
The study objective is to analyze the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of laparoscopic TEP in our set up and to determine its surgical outcomes regarding incidence of early and late post-operative complications.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Surgical Unit II, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University for 5 years and 6 months from January 2018 to June 2023. After approval from the ethical board, data was collected as a qualitative research study through focus group interviews. Adult patients aged between 20 to 70 years, selected by retrospective consecutive sampling who were presented in surgical OPD with unilateral, bilateral, or recurrent inguinal hernia, underwent laparoscopic TEP hernia repair. Patients were reviewed on 1st post-operative day, during 1st week, and at 6 months to 1 year post-surgery. Data was entered into a standard SPSS sheet version 26.
Results: The primary outcomes were evaluated based on early postoperative complications including wound infection, seromas or hematoma, urinary retention and abscess formation or mesh infection, and late complications including recurrence and chronic pain. Clear advantages were observed for the laparoscopic TEP technique regarding early return to normal daily activities due to reduced postoperative complications.
Conclusions: The newer advanced concepts in hernia surgeries have proven to have good control over early complications, and postoperative pain, with minimal recurrence. Surgeons should acquire adequate experience and anatomical knowledge before performing this advanced inguinal repair surgery.