bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic review and meta-analysis of disease clustering in multimorbidity: a study protocol
Authors: Ferris Jennifer , Fiedeldey Lean K , Kim Boah , Clemens Felicity , Irvine Mike A , Hosseini Sogol Haji , Smolina Kate , Wister Andrew 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionMultimorbidity is defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases. Co-occurring diseases can have synergistic negative effects, and are associated with significant impacts on individual health outcomes and healthcare systems. However, the specific effects of diseases in combination will vary between different diseases. Identifying which diseases are most likely to co-occur in multimorbidity is an important step towards population health assessment and development of policies to prevent and manage multimorbidity more effectively and efficiently. The goal of this project is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of disease clustering in multimorbidity, in order to identify multimorbid disease clusters and test their stability.Methods and analysisWe will review data from studies of multimorbidity that have used data clustering methodologies to reveal patterns of disease co-occurrence. We propose a network-based meta-analytic approach to perform meta-clustering on a select list of chronic diseases that are identified as priorities for multimorbidity research. We will assess the stability of obtained disease clusters across the research literature to date, in order to evaluate the strength of evidence for specific disease patterns in multimorbidity.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethics approval as the work is based on published research studies. The study findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated through conference presentations and meetings with knowledge users in health systems and public health spheres.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023411249.
Use of external control arms in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a systematic review
Authors: Zayadi Alexa , Edge Robert , Parker Claire E , Macdonald John K , Neustifter Blue , Chang Joshua , Zhong Guowei , Singh Siddharth , Feagan Brian G , Ma Christopher , Jairath Vipul 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesExternal control arms (ECAs) provide useful comparisons in clinical trials when randomised control arms are limited or not feasible. We conducted a systematic review to summarise applications of ECAs in trials of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).DesignSystematic review with an appraisal of ECA source quality rated across five domains (data collection, study populations, outcome definitions, reliability and comprehensiveness of the dataset, and other potential limitations) as high, low or unclear quality.Data sourcesEmbase, Medline and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial were searched through to 12 September 2023.Eligibility criteriaEligible studies were single-arm or randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of inflammatory bowel disease, pouchitis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in which an ECA was used as the comparator.Data extraction and synthesisTwo authors independently screened the search results in duplicate. The characteristics of included studies, external data source(s), outcomes and statistical methods were recorded, and the quality of the ECA data source was assessed by two independent authors.ResultsForty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (inflammatory bowel disease: 16, pouchitis: 1, rheumatoid arthritis: 12, juvenile idiopathic arthritis: 1, ankylosing spondylitis: 5, psoriasis: 3, multiple indications: 4). The majority of these trials were single-arm (33/43) and enrolled adult patients (34/43). All included studies used a historical control rather than a contemporaneous ECA. In RCTs, ECAs were most often derived from the placebo arm of another RCT (6/10). In single-arm trials, historical case series were the most common ECA source (19/33). Most studies (31/43) did not employ a statistical approach to generate the ECA from historical data.ConclusionsStandardised ECA methodology and reporting conventions are lacking for IMIDs trials. The establishment of ECA reporting guidelines may enhance the rigour and transparency of future research.
Large language model-based information extraction from free-text radiology reports: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Reichenpfader Daniel , Müller Henning , Denecke Kerstin 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionRadiological imaging is one of the most frequently performed diagnostic tests worldwide. The free-text contained in radiology reports is currently only rarely used for secondary use purposes, including research and predictive analysis. However, this data might be made available by means of information extraction (IE), based on natural language processing (NLP). Recently, a new approach to NLP, large language models (LLMs), has gained momentum and continues to improve performance of IE-related tasks. The objective of this scoping review is to show the state of research regarding IE from free-text radiology reports based on LLMs, to investigate applied methods and to guide future research by showing open challenges and limitations of current approaches. To our knowledge, no systematic or scoping review of IE from radiology reports based on LLMs has been published. Existing publications are outdated and do not comprise LLM-based methods.Methods and analysisThis protocol is designed based on theJBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, chapter 11.2: ‘Development of a scoping review protocol’. Inclusion criteria and a search strategy comprising four databases (PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science Core Collection and ACM Digital Library) are defined. Furthermore, we describe the screening process, data charting, analysis and presentation of extracted data.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol describes the methodology of a scoping literature review and does not comprise research on or with humans, animals or their data. Therefore, no ethical approval is required. After the publication of this protocol and the conduct of the review, its results are going to be published in an open access journal dedicated to biomedical informatics/digital health.
Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation over supplementary motor area in people with Parkinson’s disease: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Wei Yixin , Ye Saiqing , Jiang Hanhong , Chen Yawen , Qiu Yitong , Zhang Li , Ma Runting , Gao Qiang 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionIndividuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often experience initial hesitation, slowness of movements, decreased balance and impaired standing ability, which can significantly impact their independence. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation are two widely used and promising non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) modalities for treating PD. The supplementary motor area (SMA), associated with motor behaviour and processing, has received increasing attention as a potential stimulation target to alleviate PD-related symptoms. However, the data on NIBS over SMA in PD individuals are inconsistent and has not been synthesised. In this article, we will review the evidence for NIBS over SMA in PD individuals and evaluate its efficacy in improving PD function.Method and analysisRandomised controlled clinical trials comparing the effects of NIBS and sham stimulation on motor function, activities of daily living and participation for people with PD will be included. A detailed computer-aided search of the literature will be performed from inception to February 2023 in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Web of Science (WOS) and The Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Two independent reviewers will screen articles for relevance and methodological validity. The PEDro scale will be used to evaluate the risk of bias of selected studies. Data from included studies will be extracted by two independent reviewers through a customised, preset data extraction sheet.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this systematic review. The study’s findings will be presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023399945.
Specialist healthcare services for concussion/mild traumatic brain injury in England: a consensus statement using modified Delphi methodology
Authors: Karvandi Elika , Helmy Adel , Kolias Angelos G , Belli Antonio , Ganau Mario , Gomes Clint , Grey Michael , Griffiths Michael , Griffiths Timothy , Griffiths Philippa , Holliman Damian , Jenkins Peter , Jones Ben , Lawrence Tim , McLoughlin Terence , McMahon Catherine , Messahel Shrouk , Newton Joanne , Noad Rupert , Raymont Vanessa , Sharma Kanchan , Sylvester Richard , Tadmor Daniel , Whitfield Peter , Wilson Mark , Woodberry Emma , Parker Michael , Hutchinson Peter John 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo establish a consensus on the structure and process of healthcare services for patients with concussion in England to facilitate better healthcare quality and patient outcome.DesignThis consensus study followed the modified Delphi methodology with five phases: participant identification, item development, two rounds of voting and a meeting to finalise the consensus statements. The predefined threshold for agreement was set at ≥70%.SettingSpecialist outpatient services.ParticipantsMembers of the UK Head Injury Network were invited to participate. The network consists of clinical specialists in head injury practising in emergency medicine, neurology, neuropsychology, neurosurgery, paediatric medicine, rehabilitation medicine and sports and exercise medicine in England.Primary outcome measureA consensus statement on the structure and process of specialist outpatient care for patients with concussion in England.Results55 items were voted on in the first round. 29 items were removed following the first voting round and 3 items were removed following the second voting round. Items were modified where appropriate. A final 18 statements reached consensus covering 3 main topics in specialist healthcare services for concussion; care pathway to structured follow-up, prognosis and measures of recovery, and provision of outpatient clinics.ConclusionsThis work presents statements on how the healthcare services for patients with concussion in England could be redesigned to meet their health needs. Future work will seek to implement these into the clinical pathway.
Comparative analysis of story-grammar development: a cross-sectional study of Tamil-speaking child cochlear implant users and hearing peers in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Muthu Jenithaa , Venkatraman Krupa , Ganesh Latika 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional comparative study aimed to analyse and compare the story-grammar components in Tamil-speaking children with and without hearing impairment (HI) narratives.DesignThe study used a cross-sectional, comparative design to assess and compare narrative structures.SettingData were collected at the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai, India.Participants30 children participated in the study, including 15 children with severe to profound hearing loss who used cochlear implants and 15 with normal hearing. The participants were language-age-matched children aged 3–5 years, proficient in Tamil.InterventionsNo specific interventions were implemented in this study.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measures focused on story-grammar components, including settings, characters, initiating events, internal plans, attempts, outcomes, and resolution. These components were evaluated through narrative retellings by the children.ResultsAnalysis of the narratives revealed significant differences between the two groups. Children with normal hearing demonstrated a higher representation of story-grammar elements than children with HI.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that children with normal hearing exhibit a more proficient understanding and utilisation of story structure in their story-telling than children with HI. This study highlights the importance of narrative analysis in language assessment, particularly for children with HI. Tailored interventions incorporating appropriate language stimulation techniques are needed to enhance children’s narrative skills with HI. Further research in this area is warranted.
Cultural, sociopolitical, environmental and built assets supporting health and well-being in Torres Strait Island communities: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Webb Torres , Meldrum Kathryn , Kilburn Melissa , Wallace Valda , Russell Sarah , Quigley Rachel , Strivens Edward 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionRisks to an individual’s health should be considered alongside the environmental, sociocultural and sociopolitical context(s) in which they live. Environmental mapping is an approach to identifying enablers and barriers to health within a community. The Indigenous Indicator Classification System (IICS) framework has been used to map the environment in Australian Indigenous communities. The IICS is a four-level nested hierarchical framework with subject groups including culture, sociopolitical and built at the top of the hierarchy and indicators at the bottom. The objective of this scoping review is to map the cultural, sociopolitical, environmental and built assets that support health and well-being that exist in each Torres Strait Island community.Methods and analysisThis review will be conducted according the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method for scoping reviews. It will include sources that identify cultural, sociopolitical, environmental and built assets that support health and well-being that exist in each Torres Strait Island community. Databases to be searched include: Informit; Scopus; Web of Science; HealthInfoNet, BioOne Complete and Green File. Sources of unpublished and grey literature will be located using Google and Google Scholar. Searches will be limited to the English language and literature published since January 2018 to ensure that the assets mapped reflect current conditions on each island. Data that answers the research question will be extracted from sources and recorded in an adaptation of the IICS. Quantitative analysis of the data will include summing each asset for individual islands and their associated clusters. Data will be presented graphically, diagrammatically, or in tabular form depending on what approach best conveys its meaning.Ethics and disseminationThe Far North Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (reference HREC/2022/QCH/88 155-1624) has approved this study. Dissemination of the review’s findings will be led by Torres Strait Islander members of the research team through conferences and peer-reviewed publications.
Barriers and facilitators for developing a prehospital emergency care system evaluation tool (PEC-SET) for low-resource settings: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Joiner Anjni , Blewer Audrey L , Pek Pin Pin , Ostbye Truls , Staton Catherine A , Silvalila Meilya , Ong Marcus , Nadarajan Gayathri Devi 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesStrengthening of emergency care systems, including prehospital systems, can reduce death and disability. We aimed to identify perspectives on barriers and facilitators relating to the development and implementation of a prehospital emergency care system assessment tool (PEC-SET) from prehospital providers representing several South and Southeast (SE) Asian countries.DesignWe conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGD) informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). FGDs were conducted in English, audioconferencing/videoconferencing was recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using an inductive and deductive approach. Participants suggested specific elements to be measured within three main ‘pillars’ of disease conditions proposed by the research team of the tool being developed (cardiovascular, trauma and perinatal emergencies).SettingWe explored the perspectives of medical directors in six low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) in South and SE Asia.ParticipantsA total of 16 participants were interviewed (1 Vietnam, 4 Philippines, 4 Thailand, 5 Malaysia, 1 Indonesia and 1 Pakistan) as a part of 4 focus groups.ResultsThemes identified within the four CFIR constructs included: (1) Intervention characteristics: importance of developing an contextually specific tool, need for generalisability, trialling in one geographical area or with one pillar before expanding; (2) Inner setting: data transfer barriers, workforce shortages; (3) Outer setting: underdevelopment of EMS nationally; need for further EMS system development prior to implementing a tool and (4) Individual characteristics: lack of buy-in by prehospital personnel. Elements proposed by participants included both process and outcome measures.ConclusionsThrough the CFIR framework, we identified several themes which can provide a basis for codeveloping a PEC-SET for LMICs with local stakeholders. This work may inform development of quality improvement tools in LMIC PEC systems.
Vocal tasks for acoustic and/or auditory perceptual analysis for discriminating individuals with and without voice disorders: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Gunjawate Dhanshree R , Chacon Antonia Margarita , Nguyen Duy Duong , Madill Catherine 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveThe primary objective of the present systematic review is to: (1) identify the current vocal tasks being used for acoustic and/or auditory perceptual analysis to differentiate between individuals with and without voice disorders. The secondary objectives are to: (2) evaluate the evidence of the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of those vocal tasks for acoustic and/or auditory perceptual analysis in discriminating the individuals with voice disorders from those without; and (3) compare the values between the vocal tasks in discriminating individuals with voice disorders from those without.Method and analysisWe search the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed Central and Google Scholar. Grey literature searches will include ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials. Websites of professional organisations and textbooks will be hand searched for relevant information related to the research question. Study screening, selection and data extraction will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Any disagreements will be resolved by discussion or by involving a third reviewer.The methodological quality of the included studies will be appraised using the relevant Critical Appraisal Tools by JBI. The clinical guidelines and recommendations for voice assessment by professional bodies will be appraised using the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare (RIGHT) checklist. The findings will be presented in the form of an information matrix with the tasks identified tabulated against the nature of the task, dimensions being tested, and their accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in identifying individuals with voice problems.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethics approval is not required. The findings will be presented at national and international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023431634.
Qualitative study of COVID-19 patient experiences with non-invasive ventilation and pronation: strategies to enhance treatment adherence
Authors: Brugnolli Anna , Chini Gabriele , Scartezzini Riccardo , Ambrosi Elisa 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionNon-invasive ventilation (NIV) treatment combined with pronation in patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure has been shown to be effective in improving respiratory function and better patient outcomes. These patients may experience discomfort or anxiety that may reduce adherence to treatment.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore and describe the subjective experiences of patients undergoing helmet NIV and pronation during hospitalisation for COVID-19 respiratory failure, with a focus on the elements of care and strategies adopted by patients that enabled good adaptation to treatments.MethodA qualitative descriptive study, using face-to-face interviews, was carried out with a purposeful sample of 20 participants discharged from a pulmonary intensive care unit who underwent helmet continuous positive airway pressure and pronation during hospitalisation for COVID-19.ResultsContent analysis of the transcripts revealed feelings and experiences related to illness and treatments, strategies for managing one’s own negative thoughts, and practical strategies of one’s own and healthcare workers to facilitate adaptation to pronation and helmet. Experience was reflected in five major topics related to specific time points and settings: feelings and experiences, helmet and pronation: heavy but beneficial, positive thinking strategies, patients’ practical strategies, support of healthcare professionals (HCPs).ConclusionsThis study may be useful to HCPs to improve the quality and appropriateness of care they provide.
Exploring dietary perception, beliefs and practices among pregnant adolescents, their husbands and healthcare providers in West Arsi, Central Ethiopia: a phenomenological study
Authors: Tesfaye Adane , Wondimagegne Yohanness Addisu , Tamiru Dessalegn , Belachew Tefera 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundThe two most physically active stages of life, pregnancy and adolescence, put the pregnant adolescent under a lot of stress. Adolescence is a crucial era in women’s nutrition that is frequently overlooked.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore dietary perceptions, beliefs and practices among pregnant Adolescents in West Arsi, Central Ethiopia.DesignA qualitative method, specifically, a phenomenological research design, was carried out from February to March 2023.SettingsThis study was conducted in the West Arsi zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, in four randomly selected districts.ParticipantsThirty participants, 12 pregnant adolescents, 8 husbands of pregnant adolescents and 10 healthcare providers were purposefully selected and participated.MethodsIn-depth and key informant interviews were conducted. To create relevant codes, subthemes and themes, ATLAS.ti V.7.1 software was used. An inductive qualitative data analysis approach was used. The results were presented using respondents’ clear verbatim and thematic analysis.ResultsThe findings were organised into four major themes: (1) low nutritional awareness, (2) poor dietary practice, (3) barriers to good dietary practice and (4) facilitators for good dietary practice. A low perceived severity (one’s belief of the seriousness) of undernutrition and low perceived benefits (one’s belief of the benefits) of balanced nutrition have been reported. A monotonous diet (one type food usually cereal based), no change in dietary practices during pregnancy, and low intake of animal food sources (meat, egg and milk) were found under dietary practices. One of the most striking findings to emerge from this study is the Alliance for Development (AFD), the former Women Development Army, which can be a great facilitator of good dietary practice. Husbands’ involvement in nutrition education and specific nutrition training for healthcare providers are the other facilitators identified in this study. The lack of nutrition education, misconceptions and economic problems are barriers to dietary practices.ConclusionThis study found a low nutritional awareness and poor dietary practices. Further experimental studies are recommended to assess whether AFD is capable of delivering effective nutrition interventions that improve dietary practice of pregnant.