bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The patient representation struggle during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Missed opportunities for resilient healthcare systems
Authors: van de Bovenkamp Hester , de Graaff Bert , Kalthoff Karin , Bal Roland 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe role of patient participation and representation during crises, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, has been under‐researched. Existing studies paint a pessimistic picture of patient representation during the pandemic. However, there are indications that patient representatives have adapted to the new situation and can contribute to the resilience of healthcare systems. This paper aims to further explore the potential contribution of patient representatives for healthcare system resilience during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsThe study used a qualitative approach. We conducted a thematic analysis on the following data: interviews with client council members (n = 32) and representatives from patient organizations (n = 6) and focus groups (n = 2) to investigate patient representation on both the national policy level and organizational level in the Netherlands.ResultsWe identified the crisis discourse, the dependent position, the diversity of patient perspectives and the layered decision‐making structure as themes that help to understand what made patient representation in pandemic times a struggle for national and local patient representatives. The analysis of the subjects these representatives put forward during decision‐making shows that their input can play an important role in broadening discussions, challenging decisions, and suggesting alternatives during a crisis. We identified several strategies (e.g., collaborating with other actors, proactively putting subjects on the policy agenda, finding new ways of contacting their ‘constituency’) used by the patient representatives studied to exert influence despite the difficulties encountered.ConclusionsThe struggle for patient representation during pandemic decision‐making is a missed opportunity for resilient healthcare systems as these representatives can play a role in opening up discussions and putting different perspectives to the fore. Moreover, the adaptive strategies used by representatives to influence decision‐making offer lessons for future representation activities. However, adaptations to the crisis decision‐making structure are also needed to enable patient representatives to play their role.Patient ContributionWe conducted interviews with patient representatives and discussed our preliminary findings with patient representatives during the focus groups. Zorgbelang, a patient organization supporting client councils and enabling and organizing patient participation for organizations and municipalities, was partner in this research and contributed to the interview guide, conducting interviews and focus groups. Additionally, the analysis made by the first author was discussed and refined multiple times with the partners of Zorgbelang and one of them co‐authored this paper.
‘Including us, talking to us and creating a safe environment’—Youth patient and public involvement and the Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study: Lessons learned
Authors: Gallagher Alison M. , O'Kane Sarah Maria , Doherty Leanne C. , Faulkner Maria , McDermott Gary , Jago Russell , Lahart Ian M. , Murphy Marie H. , Carlin Angela 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundYoung people have the right to be informed and consulted about decisions affecting their lives. Patient and public involvement (PPI) ensures that research is carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ young people rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them. The aim of this paper is to outline how youth PPI can be embedded within a physical activity intervention, reflect on the impact of PPI and provide recommendations for future PPI in a similar context.MethodsA Youth Advisory Group (YAG) was set up within the Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study to involve adolescent girls in the delivery, implementation and dissemination of a physical activity intervention targeted at adolescents. Schools invited pupils aged 12–14 years and 15–18 years to YAG meetings (n3, from 2019 to 2023). Participative methods were used to inform recruitment strategies and data collection methods for the WISH Study.ResultsAcross the three YAG meetings, n51 pupils from n8 schools were involved. Pupils enjoyed the YAG meetings, felt that their feedback was valued and considered the meetings a good way to get young people involved in research. The YAG advised on specific issues and although measuring impact was not the primary aim of the YAG meetings, over the course of the study there were many examples of the impact of PPI. Recruitment targets for the WISH Study were exceeded, the attrition rate was low and pupils were engaged in data collection.ConclusionYouth PPI is a developing field and there are few physical activity studies that report the PPI work undertaken. Within the WISH Study, three YAG meetings were held successfully, and the views of adolescent girls were central to the development of the study. Considering the specific issues that the YAG advised on (study recruitment, attrition and data collection), there was evidence of a positive impact of PPI.Patient or Public ContributionPupils from post‐primary schools interested/participating in the WISH Study were invited to attend YAG meetings. YAG meetings were set up to consult adolescent girls on the delivery, implementation and dissemination of the WISH intervention.
History of celebrity branching out
Authors: Wesołowski Adrian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis article provides a comprehensive overview of the expanding field of celebrity history. While there was once a debate surrounding the application of the concept of celebrity to the past, historians have recently recognised the importance of exploring transient fame and social distinction, solidifying this line of inquiry. However, our understanding of historical celebrity has since evolved, involving new themes, time periods, and geographical contexts, which has led to a diverse range of approaches and perspectives. By examining how historians have explored the topic in recent years, this article identifies the strengths and limitations of different approaches, offering a fresh and updated understanding of the complexities of studying the role of fame throughout history.
Exhaled nitric oxide is associated with inflammatory biomarkers and risk of acute respiratory exacerbations in children with HIV‐associated chronic lung disease
Authors: Flygel Trym Thune , Hameiri‐Bowen Dan , Simms Victoria , Rowland‐Jones Sarah , Ferrand Rashida Abbas , Bandason Tsitsi , Yindom Louis‐Marie , Odland Jon Øyvind , Cavanagh Jorunn Pauline , Flægstad Trond , Sovershaeva Evgeniya 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectivesChronic lung disease is a recognized complication in children with HIV. Acute respiratory exacerbations (ARE) are common among this group and cause significant morbidity. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a known marker of local airway inflammation. We investigated the association between eNO and ARE, biomarkers of systemic inflammation, and the effect of azithromycin on eNO levels.MethodsIndividuals aged 6–19 years with HIV‐associated chronic lung disease in Harare, Zimbabwe, were enrolled in a placebo‐controlled randomized trial investigating the effect of 48‐week azithromycin treatment on lung function and ARE. eNO levels and biomarkers were measured at inclusion and after treatment in a consecutively enrolled subset of participants. Linear regression and generalized linear models were used to study associations between eNO and ARE, biomarkers, and the effect of azithromycin on eNO levels.ResultsIn total, 172 participants were included in this sub‐study, 86 from the placebo group and 86 from the azithromycin group. Participants experiencing at least one ARE during follow‐up had significantly higher eNO levels at baseline than participants who did not (geometric mean ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.24, p = 0.015), adjusted for trial arm, age, sex and history of tuberculosis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3, ‐7, and ‐10 were significantly associated with higher baseline eNO levels. At 48 weeks, azithromycin treatment did not affect eNO levels (geometric mean ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.72–1.03, p = 0.103).ConclusionHigher baseline eNO levels were a risk factor for ARE. eNO was associated with proinflammatory biomarkers previously found to contribute to the development of chronic lung disease. The potential use of eNO as a marker of inflammation and risk factor for ARE in HIV‐associated chronic lung disease needs further investigation.
The relationship between obesity and oral‐health status in North African adults: A comparative study
Authors: Khemiss Mehdi , Ben Messaoud Nour Sayda , Hadidane Meriem , Ben Khelifa Mohamed , Ben Saad Helmi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe strength of the association between obesity and oral health is still indecisive.ObjectiveThe objectives of the study were to compare some oral‐health data between two groups involving obese (OG) and normal weight (NWG) participants and determine the influencing factors of the periodontal probing depth (PPD).MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study including 67 Tunisian adults [OG (n = 33, body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2), NWG (n = 34, BMI: 18.5–25.0 kg/m2)]. The plaque level was recorded using the plaque index (PI). Gingival index (GI) was used to evaluate gingival inflammation. The depths of the sulci/pockets were probed using a periodontal probe. Stimulated saliva was collected for 5 min, and salivary flow rate (SFR) was determined. Salivary baseline pH (SBpH) was measured. A multivariable regression analysis was performed between PPD and some independent variables [i.e. obesity status, age, sex, socioeconomic status, systemic diseases and PI data].ResultsThe OG and NWG were age‐ and sex‐matched and included comparable percentages of participants with systemic diseases (27.3 vs. 29.4%, respectively). The OG included a higher percentage of participants having a low socioeconomic status (87.9 vs. 64.7%, respectively). Compared with the NWG, the OG: (i) had comparable values of daily toothbrushing frequency, PI, GI and tooth mobility, (ii) included comparable percentages of irregular brushers, of participants with periodontitis, PI classes [0–1]and [1–2]; and GI classes [0–1], [1–2] and [2, 3]; (iii) had a higher PPD (2.02 ± 0.41 vs. 2.35 ± 0.22 mm, respectively), (iv) had lower SBpH (7.59 ± 0.21 vs. 7.45 ± 0.22, respectively) and SFR (1.98 ± 0.28 vs. 1.60 ± 0.32 mL/mn, respectively) and (v) included a higher percentage of participants having a PI class [2, 3] (67.6 vs. 87.9%, respectively). The multivariable regression analysis revealed that only obesity status, age and PI classes influenced the PPD, altogether explained 29.62% of the PPD variance.ConclusionObesity poses a risk for oral health, and obese adults had altered PPD and lower BSpH and SFR. Dentists should make obese patients aware of the health risks of obesity in an attempt to reduce the potential oral complications associated with this epidemic.
Dental hygiene and direct access to care: Past and present
Authors: Gadbury‐Amyot Cynthia C. , Simmer‐Beck Melanie L. , Lynch Ann , Rowley Lisa J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) defines direct access as the ability of a dental hygienist to initiate treatment based on their assessment of patient's needs without the specific authorization of a dentist, treat the patient without the physical presence of a dentist and maintain a provider–patient relationship. In 2000, there were nine direct access states; currently, there are 42 states that have authorized some form of direct access. The ADHA has been instrumental in these legislative initiatives through strong advocacy efforts. While research and data support the benefits of direct preventive/therapeutic care provided by dental hygienists, many barriers remain. This paper chronicles key partnerships that have influenced and advocated for direct access and the recognition of dental hygienists as primary healthcare providers. The National Governors Association released a report in 2014 suggesting that dental hygienists be ‘deployed’ outside of dental offices as one strategy to increase access to oral health care along with reducing restrictive dental practice acts and increasing the scope of practice for dental hygienists. The December 2021 release of the National Institutes of Health report, Oral Health in America, further supports greater access to dental hygiene preventive/therapeutic care. This paper also reflects on opportunities and barriers as they relate to workforce policy, provides examples of effective state policies and illustrates an educational curriculum specifically created to prepare dental hygienists to provide oral health services in settings outside of the dental office. Dental hygiene education must ensure that graduates are future‐ready as essential healthcare providers, prepared to deliver direct access to dental hygiene care.
Stance in article highlights: The promotion of Covid‐19 research
Authors: Zou Hang (Joanna) , Hyland Ken 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCovid‐19 was the greatest public health crisis of a century, accounting for millions of deaths and initiating an urgent surge of published biomedical research. In this climate of social anxiety, researchers scrambled to publicize their work and achieve a medical breakthrough. The use of journal highlights, a brief bullet pointed list summarising the novel results of a study, is an important tool in this promotional endeavour. In this study we focus on the stance taken by authors in this genre by examining 300 highlights dealing with the virus and comparing them with 300 from articles in the same 16 journals on other issues. Our results show significantly greater use of stance markers in the Covid highlights with hedges, boosters and self‐mention particularly marked. Our study offers both a description of stance in highlights and an understanding of the potential impact of the intense, high‐stakes competition generated by the pandemic in biomedical publishing. We believe this offers a valuable contribution to the literature on stance, academic discourse and rhetorical persuasion.
Prostate‐specific antigen follow‐up and management for patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Authors: Kimura Shingo , Katayama Hiromichi , Ohara Eiichiro , Aoki Hiroshi , Shibuya Rie , Naganuma Hiroshi , Ishidoya Shigeto , Ito Akihiro 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesTo investigate who needs a careful postoperative monitoring for prostate cancer (PCa) after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). We examined characteristics and oncological outcomes of HoLEP‐related PCa.MethodsPatients who underwent HoLEP during 2002–2017 in a Japanese tertiary center were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into non‐PCa, PCa with HoLEP specimen (PCa‐Ope), and PCa diagnosed during follow‐up (PCa‐Post). Outcomes of all HoLEP‐related PCa were monitored.ResultsOf the total 758, 60 (7.9%) were diagnosed with PCa from resected specimen of HoLEP and 9 (1.2%) were diagnosed postoperatively. Preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (iPSA), postoperative PSA (pPSA), and PSA density were significantly higher in both PCa groups than those in non‐PCa group. While iPSA significantly correlated to prostate volume (PV), pPSA was not associated with PV. A receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve demonstrated that pPSA 1.2 ng/mL achieved the optimal cut‐off (AUC 0.95) for the incidence of PCa‐Post. In addition to the incidence of PCa and iPSA, lower enucleation efficiency (enucleated volume /PV) was significantly associated with pPSA >1.2 ng/mL. Among PCa‐Ope, 51 were Grade Group (GG) ≤2 and 42 were followed‐up with active surveillance, whereas 8 of 9 PCa‐Post were GG ≥3 and 2 progressed to death.ConclusionsPatients undergoing HoLEP are associated with some risk of potential PCa. While oncological outcomes were favorable among PCa‐Ope, postoperative PSA should be carefully monitored even if not diagnosed with PCa with HoLEP specimen. Enucleation efficiency should be also considered not to misread pPSA value.
Experiences of new nurses in the United States during the acute phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Byrne Christine D. , Copel Linda Carman , Smeltzer Suzanne C. , Chen Mu‐Hsun 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAimThis qualitative descriptive study describes the experiences of new nurses during the acute phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States.BackgroundNew nurses faced the dual challenge of transitioning to practice while working during a global pandemic. Although multiple studies have described nurses’ experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic, research is warranted to understand new nurses’ experiences during the acute phase of the pandemic.MethodsRegistered nurses (n = 46) with less than two years of work experience, who participated in the COVID‐19 Study and Registry of Healthcare and Support Personnel (CHAMPS), participated in this study. Thematic analysis was used to examine their responses. The COREQ guidelines were used in reporting this study.ResultsFive themes were extracted: feelings of increasing isolation, feelings of intense fear, personal health concerns, shattered and disrupted expectations, and living in a constant dilemma.DiscussionNew nurses described their distress and profound sense of isolation which was compounded by their status as new employees and being shunned by others. There was intense fear for their safety and health. They viewed their limited nursing experience with only COVID‐19 patients as detrimental to their careers and encountered complex dilemmas and were obligated to make problematic choices.ConclusionsNew nurses revealed unrelenting psychological and physical distress during the pandemic. Identification and implementation of strategies to address their distress and alleviate its negative consequences were needed but not provided.Implications for nursing policyThe development and implementation of policies to address the challenges new nurses encounter are needed. Action strategies to promote professional socialization and job retention are required.
Caring for COVID‐19 patients: Nurses' perceptions of the most critical issues and their impact on their well‐being and performance
Authors: Kedmi‐Shahar Efrat , Morag Ido , Hallevi Hen , Arad Dana 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAims(1) Exploring nurses’ perceptions of issues that impacted the quality of patient care and their own performance on COVID‐19 wards; (2) examining nurses’ perceptions of how these issues impacted their psychological state and level of performance; and (3) presenting recommendations for improving healthcare policies.BackgroundNurses played a critical role in caring for hospitalized COVID‐19 patients and managing the disease.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 50 nurses (32 females), aged 31–58 years, 6–37 years’ tenure, from eight hospitals across Israel. Prior to working in COVID‐19 wards, they worked in internal medicine, emergency rooms, or intensive care units. Based on the COREQ checklist, these interviews were recorded and transcribed, and categorized into themes and subthemes.FindingsThe findings indicate that the unpreparedness of healthcare systems for the pandemic outbreak rendered nurses paying a high price at the personal and professional levels, which in turn may have impacted the levels of care that they provided.ConclusionThe rich, qualitative data source revealed important interactions between clinical, personal, social, and familial factors in determining distress levels and performance impairment. A nuanced understanding of the link between these stressors is key to developing and implementing policies that could mitigate deficiencies in the management of epidemics and pandemics in the future.Implications for nursing and health policiesChanges should be made to government directives and healthcare policies, with an emphasis on increasing the nursing workforce, providing emotional support, ensuring availability of equipment and beds, optimizing work practices, developing transparent means of communication within teams, and clearly defining the areas of responsibility of nurses—in times of routine and crises.
A branch‐and‐price‐based heuristic for the vehicle routing problem with two‐dimensional loading constraints and time windows
Authors: Ji Bin , Zhou Saiqi , Zhang Dezhi , Yu Samson S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAddressed in this study is a vehicle routing problem with two‐dimensional loading constraints and time windows (2L‐CVRPTW), aiming to minimize the transportation cost while satisfying the two‐dimensional loading and routing constraints with time windows. To solve this problem, for the first time a mixed‐integer linear programming model is formulated with considering practical last‐in‐first‐out loading constraints, and a branch‐and‐price‐based (BP‐based) heuristic is proposed based on a set partitioning formulation. In the heuristic, a modified labeling algorithm is proposed for the complex pricing problem, which is a relaxation of the elementary shortest path problem with resource constraints and two‐dimensional loading constraints. Therein, an effective Tabu‐maximum open space packing heuristic is proposed to verify the feasibility of the two‐dimensional packing problem of each route generated by the labeling algorithm. In addition, effective accelerating and branching strategies are introduced to improve the solving efficiency of the heuristic. To evaluate the effectiveness and the advantages of the proposed heuristic, extensive computational experiments are performed based on the generated instances. The computational results show that the proposed BP‐based heuristic can effectively solve the 2L‐CVRPTW, in which the optimal solutions can be achieved much faster than CPLEX in small‐scale problems. Relationships between the transportation cost and the characteristics of the instances are analyzed. The stability of the algorithm and the effectiveness of the accelerating strategies are verified and discussed.
Microwave‐assisted reflux synthesis of Tungsten‐doped BiVO4 for improved photocatalytic activity
Authors: Rodrigues Bárbara Scola , Branco Carolyne Martins , Domingos Lucas Rafael de Moura , Gaubeur Ivanise , Wang Zhiyu , Chen Changqiang , Sardela Mauro R. , Souza Juliana dos Santos 
Published: October 2023

AbstractGiven its favorable physical and chemical properties, Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a commonly studied metal oxide semiconductor for photocatalytic applications. However, BiVO4 shows a high recombination rate of photogenerated charges and limited charge transport capacity, which can be addressed by doping it with tungsten. To develop a highly efficient tungsten‐doped BiVO4‐based (W‐BiVO4) photocatalyst, it is necessary to control the dopant content, crystal structure, and morphology. These properties are, in turn, governed by the synthesis conditions. This work describes a pioneering method of microwave‐assisted reflux synthesis of W‐BiVO4, using ethanol as solvent and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent. Thus, it is possible to perform the synthesis procedure in only 30 min at 78°C, obtaining extremely regular monoclinic W‐BiVO4 nanosquares. Furthermore, the experiments showed that the most efficient photocatalyst contains 3% tungsten as the dopant. Moreover, the direct oxidation of rhodamine B by the photogenerated holes plays a crucial role in the degradation mechanism. Finally, we observed that although the addition of PVP promotes control of the morphology, it results in a poorly efficient material. This low efficiency may be related to the formation of a polymeric coating on the surface of the catalyst or to a high amount of oxygen defects. Finally, we show that the unique interaction of microwaves with the species present in the reaction media influences nanoparticle growth.