bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Availability of essential, generic medicines before and during COVID-19 at selected public pharmaceutical supply agencies in Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Melaku Tsegaye , Mekonnen Zeleke , Terefe Tucho Gudina , Mecha Mohammed , Årdal Christine , Jahre Marianne 
Published: March 2024

ObjectivesLockdowns and border closures impacted medicine availability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the availability of essential, generic medicines for chronic diseases at public pharmaceutical supply agencies in Ethiopia.DesignComparative cross-sectional study.SettingThe availability of essential, generic medicines for chronic diseases was assessed at two public pharmaceutical supply agency hubs.ParticipantsThe current study included public supply agency hub managers, warehouse managers and forecasting officers at the study setting.OutcomesThe assessment encompassed the availability of chronic medicines on the day of data collection, as well as records spanning 8 months before the outbreak and 1 year during the pandemic. A total of 22 medicines were selected based on their inclusion in the national essential drug list for public health facilities, including 17 medicines for cardiovascular disease and 5 for diabetes mellitus.ResultsThe results of the study indicate that the mean availability of the selected basket medicines was 43.3% (95% CI: 37.1 to 49.5) during COVID-19, which was significantly lower than the availability of 67.4% (95% CI: 62.2 to 72.6) before the outbreak (p<0.001). Prior to COVID-19, the overall average line-item fill rate for the selected products was 78%, but it dropped to 49% during the pandemic. Furthermore, the mean number of days out of stock per month was 11.7 (95% CI: 9.9 to 13.5) before the outbreak of COVID-19, which significantly increased to 15.7 (95% CI: 13.2 to 18.2) during the pandemic, indicating a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Although the prices for some drugs remained relatively stable, there were significant price hikes for some products. For example, the unit price of insulin increased by more than 130%.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic worsened the availability of essential chronic medicines, including higher rates of stockouts and unit price hikes for some products in the study setting. The study’s findings imply that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated already-existing medicine availability issues. Efforts should be made to develop contingency plans and establish mechanisms to monitor medicine availability and pricing during such crises.
Study protocol for a cross-sectional online survey investigating patient preferences and experiences of waiting for elective cardiac surgery
Authors: Russo Manuela , Watson Kathryn , Richards Katie , Olive Rachel Rowan , Krausova Barbora , Kumar Rashmi , Burridge Joanna , Goulding Lucy , Chua Kia-Chong , Hardy David , Vassilios Avlonitis , Kamran Baig , Bhudia Sunil , Alia Noorani , Habib Khan , Sevdalis Nick , Petrou Mario 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionBeing on a waiting list for elective (planned) cardiac surgery can be physically and psychologically challenging for patients. Research suggests that stress associated with waiting for surgery is dependent on different individual and contextual factors. However, most data on patients’ experiences of waiting for surgery and preferences for waiting list management derives from non-cardiac clinical populations. The aim of the current study is to explore patients’ experiences of being on a waiting list for elective cardiac surgery, and their views on how the waiting experience could be improved in the future. This work will inform the patient management strategy during the waiting period for surgery across the four major hospitals in London directly involved in this study, and potentially beyond by transferring learning to other services.Methods and analysisThis is a mixed-methods study that will collect quantitative and qualitative data using a cross-sectional online survey. Patients who are on waiting lists for elective surgery across four major cardiac surgery departments in London hospitals, and are at least 18 years old, will be invited by their healthcare team via text message or letter to complete the survey. The target sample size of non-randomly selected participants will be 268. Bivariable and multivariable regression models will be used to assess associations between survey items measuring the impact of the cardiac condition on specific life domains (eg, daily activities, social and family relationships, hobbies, sexual life), anxiety and depression symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 and survey items evaluating experiences of health services. Data on experience and preferences for improvements to the waiting experience will be analysed with qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach.Ethics and disseminationThis study was reviewed and granted ethical approval by the East of England—East Cambridge Research Ethics Committee. Findings from this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, a research website and social media and with an online event engaging patients, members of the public, healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders.Trial registration numbNCT05996640
Defining and assessing psychological frailty in older adults: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Lameirinhas Joanes , Gorostiaga Arantxa , Etxeberria Igone 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionFrailty is widely acknowledged as a multidimensional construct encompassing physical, psychological and social aspects. However, the lack of consensus in defining and operationalising psychological frailty challenges the holistic approach to frailty advocated by health professionals. Consequently, there is a need to develop a comprehensive definition of psychological frailty based on contributions made by experts in the field, primarily existing frailty assessment tools. This scoping review will aim to identify the key psychological variables that are considered in frailty assessment tools used with older adults as well as to analyse how these psychological variables have been operationalised.Methods and analysisThe study will be conducted in accordance with recommendations from several methodological frameworks for scoping reviews and will be reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews statement guidelines. A systematic literature search will be performed in the CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus and Web of Science databases, supplemented by a search in Google Scholar and reference lists. The focus will be on studies that describe the development of multicomponent frailty assessment tools including at least one psychological variable. Study selection and data extraction will be independently conducted by three reviewers working in pairs. Data will be presented in tabular form, and the data will be analysed using qualitative content analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethical approval since it is based on secondary data analysis. The findings of the review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and will be presented at conferences and seminars.Trial registration numberThe scoping review was registered in Open Science Framework on 29 March 2022 (https://osf.io/bn24y).
First mobilisation after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery: when is it
actually performed? A national, multicentre, cross-sectional study
Authors: Fagevik Olsén Monika , Sehlin Maria , Westerdahl Elisabeth , Schandl Anna , Block Linda , Nygren-Bonnier Malin , Svensson-Raskh Anna 
Published: March 2024

Objectives
Knowledge of clinical practice regarding mobilisation after surgery
is lacking. This study therefore aimed to reveal current mobilisation
routines after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery and to identify
factors associated with mobilisation within 6 hours
postoperatively.

Design
A prospective observational national multicentre study.

Setting
18 different hospitals in Sweden.

Participants
1492 adult patients undergoing abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery
with duration of anaesthesia>2 hours.

Primary and secondary outcomes
Primary outcome was time to first postoperative mobilisation.
Secondary outcomes were the type and duration of the first mobilisation.
Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression and general
structural equation modelling, and data are presented as ORs with 95%
CIs.

Results
Among the included patients, 52% were mobilised to at least sitting
on the edge of the bed within 6 hours, 70% within 12 hours and 96%
within 24 hours. Besides sitting on the edge of the bed, 76% stood up by
the bed and 22% were walking away from the bedside the first time they
were mobilised. Patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery
required the longest time before mobilisation with an average time of 11
hours post surgery. Factors associated with increased likelihood of
mobilisation within 6 hours of surgery were daytime arrival at the
postoperative recovery unit (OR: 5.13, 95% CI: 2.16 to 12.18),
anaesthesia <4 hours (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.40) and American
Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) classification 1–2, (OR: 1.63, 95%
CI: 1.13 to 2.36).

Conclusions
In total, 96% if the patients were mobilised within 24 hours after
surgery and 52% within 6 hours. Daytime arrival at the postoperative
recovery unit, low ASA classification and shorter duration of
anaesthesia were associated with a shorter time to
mobilisation.

Trial registration number
FoU, Forskning och Utveckling in VGR, Vastra Gotaland Region
(Id:275357) and Clinical Trials (NCT04729634).
Factors associated with satisfaction with social roles and activities
among people with systemic sclerosis: a Scleroderma Patient-centered
Intervention Network (SPIN) cohort cross-sectional study
Authors: Dal Santo Tiffany , Rice Danielle , Carrier Marie-Eve , Virgili-Gervais Gabrielle , Levis Brooke , Kwakkenbos Linda , Bartlett Susan J , Gietzen Amy , Gottesman Karen , Guillot Genevieve , Hudson Marie , Hummers Laura K , Malcarne Vanessa , Mayes Maureen , Mouthon Luc , Richard Michelle , Sauve Maureen , Wojeck Robyn , Geoffroy Marie-Claude , Benedetti Andrea , Thombs Brett 
Published: March 2024

Objective
The objectives were to (1) compare satisfaction with social roles
and activities in a large multinational systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort
to general population normative data and (2) identify sociodemographic,
lifestyle and SSc disease factors associated with satisfaction with
social roles and activities.

Methods
Participants in the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention
Network Cohort completed the Patient Reported Outcomes Information
System Version 2 satisfaction with social roles and activities domain
questionnaire. Multivariable regression was used to assess associations
with sociodemographic, lifestyle and disease factors.

Results
Among 2385 participants, mean satisfaction with social roles and
activities T-score (48.1, SD=9.9) was slightly lower than the US general
population (mean=50, SD=10). Factors independently associated with
satisfaction were years of education (0.54 per SD, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.93);
non-White race or ethnicity (−1.13, 95% CI −2.18 to –0.08); living in
Canada (−1.33, 95% CI −2.40 to –0.26 (reference USA)) or the UK (−2.49,
95% CI −3.92 to –1.06); body mass index (−1.08 per SD, 95% CI −1.47 to
–0.69); gastrointestinal involvement (−3.16, 95% CI −4.27 to –2.05);
digital ulcers (−1.90, 95% CI −3.05 to –0.76); moderate (−1.62, 95% CI
−2.78 to –0.45) or severe (−2.26, 95% CI −3.99 to –0.52) small joint
contractures; interstitial lung disease (−1.11, 95% CI −1.97 to –0.25);
pulmonary arterial hypertension (−2.69, 95% CI −4.08 to –1.30);
rheumatoid arthritis (−2.51, 95% CI −4.28 to –0.73); and Sjogren’s
syndrome (−2.42, 95% CI −3.96 to –0.88).

Conclusion
Mean satisfaction with social roles and activities is slightly lower
in SSc than the general population and associated with multiple
sociodemographic and disease factors.
Effectiveness and safety of adalimumab compared with leflunomide in patients with Takayasu arteritis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Peron Filho Faustino , Moreira Andressa de Souza , Janes Anna Larissa Faria , de Souza Alexandre W S 
Published: March 2024

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab (ADA) compared with leflunomide (LEF) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK).MethodA retrospective cohort study was performed with the following inclusion criteria: the fulfilment of the 2022 American College Classification/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for TAK, age ≥18 years, and written informed consent. Forty-four patients were treated with LEF (n=28) or ADA (n=16) therapy due to relapsing/refractory disease or toxicity from previous therapy. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), at a median of 7.0 months (T1) and at 15.0 months of follow-up (T2). Data regarding disease activity, daily dose of prednisone, side effects and angiographic progression were analysed.ResultsLEF and ADA groups had similar features on the baseline visit. However, intravenous methylprednisolone was more frequently prescribed for the ADA group (p=0.019). On T1 and T2 visits, complete response rates were similar for ADA and LEF groups (75.0% and 88.5%; p=0.397 and 62.5% vs 78.3%; p=0.307), respectively. The differences remained non-significant after adjusting for baseline variables by propensity score matching. Although the ADA group had a higher median daily prednisone on visit T1 (p=0.004), it was similar on visit T2 (p=0.595). Similar rates of angiographic progression were observed in ADA and LEF groups (40% vs 25%; p=0.467). Mild-to-moderate adverse events were observed only in the LEF group (17.9%).ConclusionLEF and ADA had comparable outcomes after a median of 15.0 months of follow-up. However, withdrawal from therapy and mild-to-moderate adverse events were only observed in the LEF group.
Modulation of functional activity of heat-stressed chicken macrophages by poultry-derived probiotic lactobacilli
Authors: Abdelaziz Khaled , Nixon Thandi , Joye Annie , Hassan Hosni , Alizadeh Mohammadali , Sharif Shayan , Kulkarni Raveendra R. 
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the potential role of lactobacilli in mitigating the negative effects of heat stress on the functional activity of chicken macrophages. Macrophage-like MQ-NCSU cells were incubated at 40 and 44 °C in the presence or absence of a single or a mixture of different poultry-derived Lactobacillus spp., including Lactobacillus animalis, L. acidophilus, L. reuteri, and L. crispatus. Macrophage activation was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytic activity, and the transcription levels of cytokines, chemokine, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Macrophages exposed to heat stress exhibited increased production of NO, diminished expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-12p40, and elevated expression of TLR2 and TLR4, whereas no significant alterations in the phagocytic activity of macrophages were observed. Conversely, treatment of macrophages with probiotic lactobacilli counteracted the effects associated with heat stress. This was evidenced by a notable enhancement in macrophage phagocytic activity, NO production and expression of IL-1β, IL-12p40, IL-18, and chemokine CXCL8, coupled with a reduction in TLR2 and TLR4 expression. These findings suggest that probiotic lactobacilli could be given to chickens to mitigate the negative effects of heat stress on their innate immune system. However, further studies are required to validate the observed effects in an in vivo model.
Prosedur TEVAR pada Diseksi Aorta Klasik tipe B Kronis
Authors: Herbani Merlita , Kurnianingsih Novi 
Published: March 2024

Introduksi : Diseksi aorta tipe B masih menjadi beban kesehatan yang dapat merugikan kualitas hidup. Dalam kasus ini, prosedur TEVAR masih menjadi pengobatan pilihan jika diindikasikan. Namun TEVAR pada diseksi aorta tipe B kronis masih sering dipertanyakan antara keuntungan dan komplikasinya.
Ilustrasi Kasus : Laki-laki 42 tahun dengan nyeri dada, didiagnosis dengan Diseksi Aorta tipe B Kronis. Prosedur TEVAR dilakukan pada pasien, dengan indikasi klinis dan radiologis. CT scan evaluasi dilakukan 3 bulan kemudian dan didapati penutupan false lumen, serta ginjal kiri menerima vaskularisasi kolateral dengan pengecilan ukuran. Saat ini pasien tidak mengeluhkan gejala apapun.
Diskusi : Prosedur TEVAR pada diseksi aorta tipe B kronis sesuai indikasi dapat meningkatkan harapan hidup pasien. Evaluasi berkala tetap diperlukan untuk deteksi awal komplikasi dan evaluasi vascular sekitar stent-graft.
Kesimpulan : Prosedur TEVAR pada pasien diseksi aorta tipe B kronis dapat dipertimbangkan untuk meningkatkan harapan hidup pasien.
Sweetened Beverages, Genetic Susceptibility, and Incident Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sun Ying , Yu Bowei , Yu Yuefeng , Wang Bin , Tan Xiao , Lu Yingli , Wang Yu , Zhang Kun , Wang Ningjian 
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND:
An association between sweetened beverages and several cardiometabolic diseases has been reported, but their association with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), artificially sweetened beverages (ASB), and pure fruit juice (PJ) and risk of consumption with AF risk and further evaluate whether genetic susceptibility modifies these associations.

METHODS:
A total of 201 856 participants who were free of baseline AF, had genetic data available, and completed a 24-hour diet questionnaire were included. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS:
During a median follow-up of 9.9 years, 9362 incident AF cases were documented. Compared with nonconsumers, individuals who consumed >2 L/wk of SSB or ASB had an increased risk of AF (HR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.01–1.20] and HR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.10–1.31]) in the multivariable-adjusted model. A negative association was observed between the consumption of ≤1 L/wk of PJ and the risk of AF (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.87–0.97]). The highest HRs (95% CIs) of AF were observed for participants at high genetic risk who consumed >2 L/wk of ASB (HR, 3.51 [95% CI, 2.94–4.19]), and the lowest HR were observed for those at low genetic risk who consumed ≤1 L/wk of PJ (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.65–0.92]). No significant interactions were observed between the consumption of SSB, ASB, or PJ and genetic predisposition to AF.

CONCLUSIONS:
Consumption of SSB and ASB at >2 L/wk was associated with an increased risk for AF. PJ consumption ≤1 L/wk was associated with a modestly lower risk for AF. The association between sweetened beverages and AF risk persisted after adjustment for genetic susceptibility to AF. This study does not demonstrate that consumption of SSB and ASB alters AF risk but rather that the consumption of SSB and ASB may predict AF risk beyond traditional risk factors.
Relationship Between Social Support and Clinical Outcomes: An Evaluation of Participant-Nominated Treatment Supporters in the HOPE 4 Intervention
Authors: Drakos Anastasia , McCready Tara , Lopez-Jaramillo Patricio , Islam Shofiqul , McKee Martin , Yusuf Salim , Schwalm JD 
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND:
The HOPE 4 trial (Heart Outcomes Prevention and Evaluation 4) investigated the effectiveness of a comprehensive, collaborative model of care, implemented in Colombia and Malaysia, which aimed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with hypertension. One component of this intervention was the nomination of a treatment supporter, where participants could select a family member or friend to assist them with their care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of these individuals on participant outcomes, as well as the relationship dynamics between participants and their treatment supporter.

METHODS:
Participants in the HOPE 4 intervention group with baseline and 12 months of follow-up were included for analysis. They were divided into Every Visit (n=339) and <Every Visit (n=268) groups based on whether they had a treatment supporter for all 5 or for <5 follow-up visits, respectively. Outcomes were stratified between groups and tested for significance using a generalized linear mixed-effects model. A survey investigating participant satisfaction with their treatment supporter was administered at 12 months.

RESULTS:

Groups were majority female (53% versus 62%) with a mean age of 63 and 66 years. Country of origin differed between groups (22% versus 86%; Colombia). A 15.5% ([95% CI, 6.2%–24.8%]
P
=0.004) greater increase in statin medication use was reported in the Every Visit group at 12 months compared with the <Every Visit group. Sixty-one percent versus 48.2% of participants reported high medication adherence at 12 months (
P
<0.003). The difference in change in systolic blood pressure between groups was not found to be significant at 12 months, though it favored the Every Visit group (−2.3 [95% CI, −6.1 to 1.5];
P
=0.045). The majority of survey respondents from either study group strongly agreed that having a treatment supporter positively influenced their health.

CONCLUSIONS:
Long-term support from a nominated treatment supporter was associated with improved adherence, risk factor management, and medication use among individuals with hypertension.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01826019.