bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Striving to achieve control’. Registered nurses’ experiences of palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic – a qualitative study
Authors: Sandsdalen Tuva , Helgesen Ann Karin , Grøndahl Vigdis Abrahamsen , Bååth Carina , Larsson Maria , Johansson Christina Melin , Olsson Cecilia , Tillfors Maria , Österlind Jane , Hov Reidun , Granrud Marie Dahlen 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Providing quality palliative care during a pandemic was challenging. Both specialist and community healthcare services cared for patients that faced life-threatening illness and who were influenced by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Little knowledge has yet been provided on how registered nurses (RNs) experienced the palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore RN’s experiences of providing palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
This qualitative study had a descriptive design. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted between November 2021 and January 2022 with 18 RNs who worked in intensive care units in hospitals, dementia care or palliative care units in nursing homes in Norway during the pandemic. Data were analysed by using qualitative content analysis. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ’s checklist.

Results
Analysis of the data resulted in an overall theme: ‘Striving to achieve control’. This theme comprised six categories: (1) when the toolbox does not fit; (2) protective equipment—social distance and opportunities for closeness; (3) unpredictable workday; (4) the right person to the right assignment at the right time; (5) presence and absence of relatives and friends; and (6) situations that required creativity. RNs had various experiences regarding how the quality of care was perceived; being worse, preserved, or in some cases even better than before the pandemic.

Conclusions
The provision of quality palliative care was experienced by RNs as challenging during the pandemic. The pandemic forced them to be creative and to strive for control to provide the best palliative care possible given the situation. The results of this study may contribute to important knowledge for leaders, policy makers and RNs to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and planning for future pandemics or crises. Especially to optimise factors perceived by RNs to be important for the palliative care quality, related to the specific situation and care context, to include the perspectives of those involved and take into consideration the time perspective of the pandemic.
Development and pilot testing of a nurse-led common-sense model of self-regulation-based heart failure self-care program
Authors: Huang Zehao , Chair Sek Ying 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Self-care practices among people with heart failure (HF) remain suboptimal. Nurse-led self-care interventions hold promise in managing this condition. The Common-Sense Model (CSM) of Self-Regulation is a widely adopted theoretical framework that promotes behavior change and improves disease prognosis among patients. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the development and pilot testing of a nurse-led CSM of Self-Regulation-based self-care intervention among people with HF.

Methods
Intervention development was informed by a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, the CSM of self-regulation, international and national guidelines, and findings from our previous systematic reviews. The pilot study utilized a single-blinded, two-arm, parallel group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, adhering to the CONSORT Statement. Eligible participants were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group. Data were collected at baseline and immediately after the intervention, with a focus on evaluating feasibility, acceptability, and potential effects.

Results
We developed and validated a nurse-led, theory-driven, evidence-based, and need-oriented HF self-care program. A total of 26 participants were enrolled in the pilot study, achieving an eligibility of 79.4%, a recruitment rate of 96.3%, and a retention rate of 92.3%. Most participants (83.3%) recognized the benefits of the intervention. The intervention significantly improved illness perceptions, self-care self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors among people with HF.

Conclusion
The nurse-led CSM of Self-Regulation-based self-care intervention is feasible, acceptable, and potentially beneficial for people with HF. A full-scale mixed-method RCT is recommended to further examine the intervention’s effectiveness.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No., ChiCTR2300068156; February 9, 2023).
Utilization of ultrasonic aspirator for combined aortic and mitral valve decalcification: a case study
Authors: Alomari Mohammad , Paciotti Breah , Garg Pankaj , Noor Sibat , Celik Nafiye Busra , Sareyyupoglu Basar 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Mitral and aortic annular calcification is an age-related degenerative process that can result in severe mitral and/or aortic stenosis and/or regurgitation. Annular calcification not only increases the surgical complexity but also increases the risk of complications. In this case report, we present the innovative use of the Sonopet ultrasonic surgical aspirator for aortic and mitral annular decalcification in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, mild aortic stenosis and moderate mitral regurgitation in the presence of mitral annular calcification (MAC) and aorto-mitral curtain calcification.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections in children with acute respiratory infection, 2010–2023: a large sample study in China
Authors: Miao Yuzhu , Li Jungen , Huang Linlin , Shi Ting , Jiang Tingbo 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to describe the epidemiological trends of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection among children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluating the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the epidemiology of MP infection.

Methods
Children with ARTIs admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Soochow University (SCH) from January 2010 to December 2023 and underwent MP nucleic acid PCR assay were included. Clinical data on age, sex, onset time and detection result were collected and analyzed.

Results
All of the 122,984 inpatients were enrolled, in which 20.8% (25659/122984) of the children with MP tested positive, including 19.4% (14139/72662) for male and 22.9% (11520/50322) for female. It was a statistically significant difference between the two genders (p < 0.05). In addition, the positive rate of MP was the highest in the age group > 6 years old each year (p < 0.05). During 14-year period, the detection rate of MP has experienced four peaks in 2012, 2013, 2019, and 2023. Before the NPIs the prevalence of MP showed seasonality, and the number and rate of MP positivity reached their peak in August. However, the rate of MP positivity remained at a low level during the NPIs. After the abolition of NPIs, the MP positivity rate obviously increased and remained at a high level.

Conclusions
The NPIs could reduce the spread of MP infection and change its epidemic season, but it has not changed the susceptible population of MP infection.
Pretreatment with serine protease inhibitors impairs Leishmania amazonensis survival on macrophages
Authors: de Almeida Machado Patrícia , Gomes Pollyanna Stephanie , Coimbra Elaine Soares , de Matos Guedes Herbert Leonel 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases with great clinical and epidemiological importance. The current chemotherapy available for the treatment of leishmaniasis presents several problems, such as adverse effects, toxicity, long treatment time, and parasite resistance. The discovery of new therapeutic alternatives is extremely essential, and the discovery of cellular targets is a tool that helps in the development of new drugs. Serine proteases emerge as important virulence factors in the Leishmania genus, as they participate in important processes involved in their infectivity, virulence, and survival. In this work, we evaluated the leishmanicidal effect of different serine protease inhibitors (Benzamidine, PF-429242, PMSF, TLCK, and TPCK). Additionally, we determined the implication of pretreatment with these inhibitors on the entry and survival of parasites within macrophages, as well as the conversion of promastigotes into amastigotes, to discover the importance of serine proteases in the establishment of infection and, consequently, as targets for new drugs for Leishmania.

Results
In general, the inhibitors had low toxicity in host macrophages, and three showed some effect in promastigote and amastigote forms of L. amazonensis (PF-429242, TLCK, and TPCK). Using a short incubation interval, we pretreated L. amazonensis promastigotes with these five compounds before in vitro infection. Pretreatment with PF-429242, TLCK, and TPCK considerably compromised the survival of these parasites inside host macrophages, without altering the entry of promastigotes into these cells and differentiation into amastigotes. In addition, treatment with PF-429242 and TPCK was able to reduce the serine proteases’ enzymatic activity using subtilisin substrate on L. amazonensis promastigote lysate.

Conclusions
This work highlights the importance of serine proteases in L. amazonensis as a possible target for new therapeutic alternatives in Leishmania spp.

Graphical Abstract
Assessing tick attachments to humans with citizen science data: spatio-temporal mapping in Switzerland from 2015 to 2021 using spatialMaxent
Authors: Bald Lisa , Ratnaweera Nils , Hengl Tomislav , Laube Patrick , Grunder Jürg , Tischhauser Werner , Bhandari Netra , Zeuss Dirk 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Ticks are the primary vectors of numerous zoonotic pathogens, transmitting more pathogens than any other blood-feeding arthropod. In the northern hemisphere, tick-borne disease cases in humans, such as Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis, have risen in recent years, and are a significant burden on public healthcare systems. The spread of these diseases is further reinforced by climate change, which leads to expanding tick habitats. Switzerland is among the countries in which tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern, with increasing incidence rates reported in recent years.

Methods
In response to these challenges, the “Tick Prevention” app was developed by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and operated by A&K Strategy Ltd. in Switzerland. The app allows for the collection of large amounts of data on tick attachment to humans through a citizen science approach. In this study, citizen science data were utilized to map tick attachment to humans in Switzerland at a 100 m spatial resolution, on a monthly basis, for the years 2015 to 2021. The maps were created using a state-of-the-art modeling approach with the software extension spatialMaxent, which accounts for spatial autocorrelation when creating Maxent models.

Results
Our results consist of 84 maps displaying the risk of tick attachments to humans in Switzerland, with the model showing good overall performance, with median

$$\hbox {AUC}_{\textrm{ROC}}$$

AUC
ROC

values ranging from 0.82 in 2018 to 0.92 in 2017 and 2021 and convincing spatial distribution, verified by tick experts for Switzerland. Our study reveals that tick attachment to humans is particularly high at the edges of settlement areas, especially in sparsely built-up suburban regions with green spaces, while it is lower in densely urbanized areas. Additionally, forested areas near cities also show increased risk levels.

Conclusions
This mapping aims to guide public health interventions to reduce human exposure to ticks and to inform the resource planning of healthcare facilities. Our findings suggest that citizen science data can be valuable for modeling and mapping tick attachment risk, indicating the potential of citizen science data for use in epidemiological surveillance and public healthcare planning.

Graphical Abstract
Remote assessment of physical fitness via videoconferencing: a systematic review
Authors: Klein Thorsten , Worth Annette , Niessner Claudia , Hanssen-Doose Anke 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Physical fitness is a critical marker of overall health across all age groups, influencing longevity and quality of life. This systematic review assessed the use of remote physical fitness assessments, a crucial adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic that broadened access to health monitoring outside traditional settings. The review included 35 studies, covering various age groups and health conditions, and evaluated 48 physical fitness tests across eight physical fitness components. Balance, muscular strength, and endurance were the most frequently assessed, with tests like the 30-second sit-to-stand (30s-STS) showing strong validity, reliability, and feasibility for remote use. However, the study population was mainly adults and older adults, with nearly no focus on children, revealing a significant gap in research for younger populations. Additionally, the review identified gaps in assessing components such as body composition, reaction time, and agility, which are crucial for a comprehensive assessment of physical fitness. These gaps underscore the need for further research and development of reliable and valid remote assessment tools. The findings of this review emphasize the importance of standardizing remote physical fitness assessments to ensure their validity, reliability, and feasibility making them effective tools for health monitoring across diverse populations and settings.
Extraction camouflage treatment of a skeletal Class III malocclusion with severe anterior crowding by miniscrews and driftodontics in the mandibular dentition
Authors: Zhang Kai , Li Jiaojiao , Yu Liyuan , Sun Wentian , Xia Kai , Zhao Zhihe , Liu Jun 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
An 18-year-old Chinese woman presented with chief complaints of crowded teeth and mild mandibular prognathism. Clinical and imaging examinations revealed a concave profile, a protruded chin, increased lower anterior facial height mild, skeletal Class III and Angle’s Class III malocclusion, with anterior crossbites, and crowded teeth. Extraction camouflaged therapy combined with miniscrews skeletal anchorage was employed to relieve crowding and retract the mandibular anterior teeth. The total active treatment time was 31 months. After treatment, functional occlusion and smile esthetics were significantly improved.
Twenty years of EU accession: learning lessons from Central and Eastern European agriculture and rural areas
Authors: Jambor Attila , Gorton Matthew 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Twenty years have passed since the first eastern enlargements of the European Union (EU). This paper assesses the impacts of EU accession on agriculture and rural regions of Central and Eastern European countries and identifies the reasons behind differences in country performance. Results suggest that EU accession brought modest convergence with established Member States. However, countries capitalised on the opportunities given by EU membership to differing extents. Specifically, the Baltic countries and Poland performed best post-accession, while Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary witnessed much slower rates of convergence. The findings are consistent with the notion of convergence clubs, with persistent variations in catch up rates between groups of states. To explain membership of lower- and higher-speed convergence clubs, the paper identifies four sets of factors, namely initial conditions, pre-accession policy frameworks and actions, administrative preparedness, and post-accession policies.
Dysregulation of transposable elements and PIWI-interacting RNAs in myelodysplastic neoplasms
Authors: Krejcik Zdenek , Kundrat David , Klema Jiri , Hrustincova Andrea , Trsova Iva , Belickova Monika , Cermak Jaroslav , Jonasova Anna , Dostal Jiri , Dostalova Merkerova Michaela 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are heterogeneous hematopoietic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and genome instability. Mobilization of transposable elements (TEs) is an important source of genome instability leading to oncogenesis, whereas small PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) act as cellular suppressors of TEs. However, the roles of TEs and piRNAs in MDS remain unclear.

Methods
In this study, we examined TE and piRNA expression through parallel RNA and small RNA sequencing of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells from MDS patients.

Results
Comparative analysis of TE and piRNA expression between MDS and control samples revealed several significantly dysregulated molecules. However, significant differences were observed between lower-risk MDS (LR-MDS) and higher-risk MDS (HR-MDS) samples. In HR-MDS, we found an inverse correlation between decreased TE levels and increased piRNA expression and these TE and piRNA levels were significantly associated with patient outcomes. Importantly, the upregulation of PIWIL2, which encodes a key factor in the piRNA pathway, independently predicted poor prognosis in MDS patients, underscoring its potential as a valuable disease marker. Furthermore, pathway analysis of RNA sequencing data revealed that dysregulation of the TE‒piRNA axis is linked to the suppression of processes related to energy metabolism, the cell cycle, and the immune response, suggesting that these disruptions significantly affect cellular activity.

Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate the parallel dysregulation of TEs and piRNAs in HR-MDS patients, highlighting their potential role in MDS progression and indicating that the PIWIL2 level is a promising molecular marker for prognosis.

Graphical Abstract
Retrospective Analyses of Stability and Variability in Relative Age Effects of Handball Talents Over Seventeen Years
Authors: Schorer Jörg , Büsch Dirk , Faber Irene , Wattie Nick 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In the last thirty years research on relative age effects (RAEs) has exploded in numbers. However, the stability and variability of these effects have hardly been investigated. The three aims of this retrospective study were first to investigate the stability and variability of RAEs over 17 years, second to compare these effects for young female and male athletes, and third to compare these effects between selected and non-selected athletes relative to variability estimates from 17 years prior to assess possible changes in athlete development trends. For this study, birth dates were provided for all participants of the talent selection camps by the German Handball Federation from 2008 to 2024. Results show that first while some variability was observed, the effects remained stable. Second, there are only small differences between sexes in general, although these increased with selection. And thirdly, that selections create stronger effects for male athletes, but not for female ones. Taken together, this study provides an interesting picture of the variability and stability of relative age effects over 17 years.
Exploring the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Physical Performance: An EEG Study in the Context of High-Intensity Endurance
Authors: Zhao Shanguang , Alhumaid Majed M. , Li Hai , Wei Xin , Chen Steve SHYH-Ching , Jiang Hongke , Gong Yuwu , Gu Yun , Qin Haiquan 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
While the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function are well-documented, its impact on high-intensity endurance performance and underlying neural mechanisms remains underexplored, especially in the context of search and rescue operations where both physical and mental performance are essential. This study examines the neurophysiological basis of sleep deprivation on high-intensity endurance using electroencephalography (EEG). In this crossover study, twenty firefighters were subjected to both sleep deprivation (SD) and normal sleep conditions, with each participant performing endurance treadmill exercise the following morning after each condition. EEG signals were recorded before and after high-intensity endurance exercise, and power spectrum analysis and functional connectivity analysis were performed on sleep related frequency bands rhythm: δ (0.5–4 Hz) and θ (4–8 Hz). The EEG power spectral and functional connectivity were measured by repeated measure analysis of variance.

Results
The SD condition had an average sleep duration of 3.78 ± 0.69 h, while the duration for normal sleep was 7.63 ± 0.52 h. After high-intensity endurance exercise, the SD condition had a higher maximum heart rate (p < 0.05) and shorter exercise time (p < 0.05) than normal sleep. Compared with before exercise, the δ band in the left parietal lobe P7 channel increased significantly (p < 0.01), and the θ band in the central Cz channel and the left and right parietal lobe P7 and P8 channel increased significantly (p < 0.01 & p < 0 0.05) in SD and normal sleep conditions after exercise. After exercise, compared with normal sleep, the δ band power in occipital O1 and Oz channels and parietal P7 and TP7 channels in SD significantly decreased (p < 0.05 & p < 0.01); the power of the θ band decreased significantly in the occipital O1 channel, central CZ channel and the left and right parietal P7 and P8 channel (p < 0.05 & p < 0.01). Whole connectivity showed a significant increase (p = 0.001) in the δ band for the SD condition at post-exhaustion. Local connectivity analysis identified a localized network in the δ band with reduced (p < 0.001) post-exhaustion in the SD condition displaying inter-hemispheric differences in certain connections (FP1-CP4, T7-C4, T7-TP8, and O1-FT8) and intra-hemispheric (C3-CPz and Pz-P4) variations.

Conclusions
Sleep deprivation significantly reduced maximum endurance performance, indicating decreased neural activity in the central and parietal brain regions. Alterations in δ and θ frequency band power, along with disrupted connectivity, may highlight the neurophysiological basis underlying this decline.