bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can a self-risk assessment tool improve knowledge of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases? Use of a novel tool among people living with HIV in Kenya
Authors: Onyango Susan Atieno , de Kiev Laurent A. Cleenewerck , Bamidele Moyosola , Bwesigye Denis Akankunda 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims:
There is a high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), low knowledge of the risk factors, a weak surveillance system, and no known tool for patient self-risk assessment in resource-limited settings. The study assessed the contribution of a novel tool for the improvement of the knowledge level of NCD risk factors.

Methodology:
This intervention study in a primary health-care facility in Kenya involved 1595 people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 18–69 years. The study developed a tool based on NCD risk factors and used it as educational material. Baseline data were collected using the World Health Organization step-wise approach to surveillance.

Results:
The median age in years (interquartile range) was 41 (25–50), and females were 65.9%. The ability to conduct self-risk assessment rose from 2.1% to 57.1% after education. Knowledge of risk factors had a mean score of 0.9 and 0.3 for hypertension and diabetes, respectively, before education. Scores increased to 4.4 and 4.3, respectively, after the intervention. There was a significant difference in the means with a P = 0.00 after education.

Conclusion:
PLHIV in Kenya lacks knowledge of self-risk assessment and risk factors. The tool can improve knowledge of NCD risk factors. The integration of this tool into the routine HIV standard package of care is crucial as part of surveillance in preventing and controlling NCDs.
Uncovering the hidden epidemic: Prevalence and predictors of undiagnosed hypertension among older adults in India
Authors: Agrawal Ritik , Sinha Abhinav , Murmu Jogesh , Kanungo Srikanta , Pati Sanghamitra 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
Among all noncommunicable diseases, hypertension is the leading cause of death and also a major threat globally. Low-and middle-income countries such as India have higher rates of undiagnosed hypertension since majority of the hypertensive individuals are asymptomatic. This study aimed to estimate the burden of undiagnosed hypertension and its association with various factors using the SAGE Wave-2 dataset. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used and present as an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 1516 (21.3% [95% CI: 20.4–22.3]) were found to have undiagnosed hypertension and higher predilection among urban females and increases with age. Regular screening is crucial to identify individuals with hypertension who remain undiagnosed, particularly as they get older.
Status of service delivery for major noncommunicable diseases at health facilities: Service availability and readiness assessment in Manimajra block, UT Chandigarh
Authors: Thakur J. S. , Nangia Ria 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
To attain the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, an urgent action is required, directed by the global action plan for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) which contributed to 73% of worldwide deaths in 2017. The ability and limitations in primary care to meet the rising burden of NCDs remain unknown, nevertheless. The goal of this study was to evaluate the availability of primary health care facilities and their preparedness for NCDs in one block of UT Chandigarh.

Methodology:
This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 10 health facilities in Manimajra block of UT Chandigarh using the World Health Organization service availability and readiness assessment standard tool with local adaptations. We defined facility readiness along six domains: basic equipment, essential services, diagnostic capacity, NCD trainings, counseling services, and essential medicines. For each domain, an index as the mean score of items expressed as percentage was calculated.

Results:
The results highlight important gaps in service delivery that are obstacles to universal access to health services. Overall, among all health facilities offering service for NCDs, the availability of diagnosis and/or management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cervical cancer were 89%, 77%, 44%, and 25%, respectively. Of all the health facilities that were providing screening or management of cervical cancer, none of them had all four items.

Conclusion:
The study found that the existing level of service preparedness and accessibility for NCDs at health-care institutions is inadequate and requires improvement. Some health facilities had poorer rankings as a result of inadequate drug supplies, a lack of skilled staff, and a lack of advice on NCD screening and treatment. Therefore, an emphasis on infrastructure, services, and health-care workers ready for NCD services is necessary to ensure efficacy.
Comparative study of efficacy and safety of cetirizine and bilastine in patients of chronic spontaneous urticaria: Open-label, randomized, parallel-group study
Authors: Sinha Vishakha V. , Kalikar Mrunalini Vinay , Mukhi Jayesh Ishwardas , Giradkar Akhil Bhagwan , Sontakke Smita 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose:
Bilastine is a novel second-generation antihistaminic. Very few studies in Indian population have compared the safety and efficacy of bilastine with other second-generation antihistaminic like cetirizine. Hence, the present study was planned.

Materials and Methods:
This was a randomized, open-label comparative parallel group study conducted on 70 patients of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Patients either received cetirizine 10 mg or bilastine 20 mg once daily for 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was to find out the difference in the mean total symptom score (MTSS) at baseline and 6 weeks. The secondary endpoint was to find out changes in the scale of the number of wheals, change in pruritus scale, scale for size of wheal, change for interference of wheals with sleep, change in visual analog scale (VAS) for sedation, change in scale for intensity of erythema, and change in Scale for Extent of Skin Area Involvement (SESI).

Results:
Bilastine and cetirizine offer a significant reduction in MTSS, mean number of wheals, and mean pruritus scale at baseline to 1, 3, and 6 weeks. The mean difference in MTSS was significantly more in bilastine. Cetirizine showed a significant increase in VAS score for sedation as compared to bilastine. Both the drugs were well tolerated and safe. Adverse events like headache, gastric irritation, dryness of mouth, and sedation were more reported in cetirizine group.

Conclusion:
Bilastine was more efficacious than cetirizine in patients of CSU and the efficacy was seen earlier at 1 week, which was not seen in the cetirizine group.
Characteristics, attitudes, and the odds for positive attitude toward clinical trial: A study on Indonesian COVID-19 vaccine trial participants
Authors: Maharani Nani , Gustriawanto Nuvi , Nency Yetty M. , Mahati Endang , Yeremia Glenn F. , Anantyo Dimas T. , Hapsari Rebriarina , Mulyono Mulyono , Pramudo Setyo G. , Farhanah Nur 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Aims:
This study was performed to understand the Indonesian population’s characteristics and the factors that contribute to a more positive attitude toward participation in a clinical trial.

Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 402 COVID-19 vaccine trial participants in Semarang, Indonesia, utilizing self-reporting questionnaires consisting of questions related to socio-demographic characteristics and statements in a 5-scaled Likert Scale to assess the attitude toward vaccine trial. The odds for positive attitude were analyzed using Ordinal Logistic Regression to obtain the odd-ratio and 95% confidence interval. The P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
Most of the respondents were adults aged 22–64-year-old (89.30%), males (63.68%), married (77.61%), worked as an employee (59.70%), obtained information about the clinical trial from the Public Health Service (41.29%), had a low education level (40.80%), a low monthly income level (68.41%), with no previous participation in a clinical trial (90.80%). All respondents showed a good attitude toward the trial, with low education level, nonemployment status, fewer or no previous participation in clinical trials, and getting the information from the public health centers were the main predictors for better attitude toward vaccine trials.

Conclusion:
There was a positive attitude toward vaccine trials in the Indonesian population. The positive attitude could be driven by having a low education level, nonemployment status, fewer or no previous participation in the clinical trial, and getting information from public health centers.
The beneficial effects of conservative treatment with biofeedback and electrostimulation on pelvic floor disorders
Authors: Chen Mei-Chen , Lai Pei-Hsuan , Ding Dah-Ching 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) such as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can be managed through conservative treatments, such as conservative management involving biofeedback (BF) and electrostimulation. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of conservative treatments on PFDs.

Materials and Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Women with PFD who underwent 1–3 months of BF and electrostimulation between January 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, were included in the study. BF treatment was administered using three sensors to monitor pelvic floor muscle activity, providing patients with immediate feedback and guidance on muscle exercises. One session lasted for 5–10 min. Electrostimulation treatment utilized a specially made pelvic belt with electrode sheets to stimulate and contract pelvic floor muscles passively. One session lasted for 15 min. Six therapies in 1 month were prescribed. Pre- and post-treatment Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) scores, including POP distress inventory 6 (POPDI-6), colorectal-anal distress inventory (CRAD-8), and urinary distress inventory 6 (UDI-6) scores, were compared. Subgroup analysis by age, menopause, body mass index (BMI), and child delivery mode was performed.

Results:
The study included 51 women with PFDs (SUI, POP, frequency or urgency or nocturia, and pain) treated with BF and electrostimulation, with a mean age of 49.94 ± 13.63 years. Sixteen patients (37.1%) were menopausal, with a mean menopause age of 50 ± 5.20 years. Twenty-six patients (68.4%) had a history of normal vaginal delivery. The mean PFDI-20 scores before and after treatment were 32.67 (standard deviation [SD] 10.05) and 25.99 (SD 9.61), respectively (P < 0.001). This decrease in scores reflected an improvement in subjective perceptions of symptoms and quality of life. The POPDI-6, CRAD-8, and UDI-6 scores significantly decreased after treatment. Subgroup analysis of scores change regarding age, menopause, BMI, and child delivery mode was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:
The study demonstrated the effectiveness of BF and electrostimulation for treating women with PFDs. The findings contributed to the understanding of treatment duration, patient characteristics, and the potential benefits of a multimodal approach. Moreover, the study’s diverse participant population and the use of validated outcome measures enhance the generalizability and scientific rigor of the findings.
Thomas Kuhn, Stefan Amsterdamski, and the Cycles of Scientific Development
Authors: Martin-Michalska Anna 
Published: October 2023

In his most seminal work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas S. Kuhn advances a notion that science is embedded in historically contingent constellations of practices and ideas. In this view, history is part and parcel of science. Science develops by transforming that, which it emerges from – a theme later picked up by Polish philosopher of science, Stefan Amsterdamski. Kuhn also noticed important parallels between psychological and historical development. These insights have led him to the conclusion that what scientists do and what the science does are two different things. Scientific development is discontinuous in the sense that it cannot be measured by any external standard. Science is therefore its own judge. This paper identifies critical shortcomings of Kuhn’s theory of psychological development, which most affect his vision of scientific development. Subsequently, the problem of development is recast in terms of dynamic system theory or embodied cognition. The ensuing insights are organized into a cyclical model, with two main trajectories: one creative, the other generative. It is argued that the cyclical approach permits to overcome the dualisms, which plagued Kuhn’s original account (engagement versus criticism, creativity versus rule-following, etc.) and to further develop Amsterdamski’s idea that absent universal norms or standards, criticism and rationality are nonetheless possible.
Application of Design Thinking Method in Educational Card Design "Sobat Saleh"
Authors: Ulita Novena 
Published: October 2023

: In developmental psychology theory, students are late adolescents who need to have problem-solving skills (Sahrah, 2019). Itis necessary to be trained in order to become a capable, creative and independent person in accordance with the goals of Indonesian national education. However, in the learning process in the studio class, the DKV study program which has the purpose of learning to hone students' thinking skills, often has difficulty solving a problem. A study that has been conducted previously that it is known that aspects of methods in solving problems are still confusing for students (Ulita &; Hananto, 2022). The research outlines that some students are still not fully aware of how to apply the method in designing. Therefore, this journal will describe the form of application of design thinking methods in a case study of designing an educational card game "Sobat Saleh" that can help student design learning that provides an overview of the process of solving problems into a design idea. Starting from data collection, analytical techniques and thinking processes as well as the form of application of the design thinking design method. Thus, it can be observed more deeply the patterns carried out in efforts to apply the design thinking method so as to help students more easily have the ability to solve problems with the method. The ability of critical thinking and creative things in solving problems can support the design logic that is needed by a designer when doing a design.
Wet cupping therapy removes oxidative stress related miRNAs
Authors: UNAT Berivan , YERLİKAYA Fatma Hümryra , BALTAOĞLU ALP Hayriye , ERYAVUZ ONMAZ Duygu 
Published: October 2023

Background: Wet cupping therapy is commonly used in different conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, inflammatory and infectious diseases. The mechanism of action of wet cupping therapy is not yet clear, however several studies have demonstrated that it has a role in limiting oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of wet cupping therapy on oxidative stress-related miRNAs miRNA-34a, miRNA-200a, miRNA-21 levels and oxidant-antioxidant status markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels.
Methods: 60 healthy volunteer women aged 20-75 years (n=30, 20-45 years; n=30, 45-75 years) who were applied wet cupping at Konya Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Traditional and Complementary Medicine Center were included in this study. Plasma miRNA-34a, miRNA-200a and miRNA-21 levels were analyzed by using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) analysis. MDA and GSH levels were measured using the commercial ELISA kits.
Results: MDA levels [2003.10 (1810.17-7392.15) vs 1884.04 (1800.10-4488.05), p=0.027] of wet cupping blood samples higher than venous blood samples, while GSH levels [125.97 (90.65-219.43) vs 131.77 (88.77-246.42), p=0.037] were lower. miRNA-34a [(0.94±0.74) vs (0.53±0.28), p
Aprendizaje basado en la resolución de casos: del aula de psicoendocrinología a la consulta.
Authors: Montagud Romero Sandra , Ferrer Pérez Carmen , Blanco Gandía M. Carmen , Aguilar M. Asunción , Reguilón Marina D. , González Portilla Macarena , San Miguel Segura Noemí , Rodríguez Arias Marta 
Published: October 2023

La adquisición de habilidades por parte del alumnado para buscar información, reconocer qué información se requiere e identificar y discernir cuál es necesaria y relevante, será clave en el proceso de aprendizaje. El objetivo del presente trabajo pretende mediante el aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP) que el estudiante adquiriera conocimientos sobre operadores booleanos, así como estrategias de búsqueda de información en bases de datos científicos. Para ello, participaron un total de 139 estudiantes del grado de Psicología (asignatura Psicoendocrinología), los cuales durante los últimos dos meses de clases trabajaron mediante ABP los operadores booleanos y las bases de datos científicas para realizar búsquedas de información (referentes a un caso). Se les pasó un cuestionario ad hoc y el cuestionario de auto-eficacia percibida específica para situaciones académicas (pre y post-test). Los resultados indicaron que el alumnado universitario presenta en un porcentaje elevado desconocimiento respecto a los operadores booleanos y la búsqueda en base de datos científicas, situación que se inviertió cuando se trabajó mediante la metodología activa ABP, potenciando a su vez la autoeficacia en el Post-test. Estos datos nos indicaría que el alumnado adquire las habilidades propuestas en el objetivo, permitiéndoles incrementar el control sobre situaciones específicas académicas
The efficacy of moxifloxacin-based triple-therapy in first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Pakistan: randomized controlled trials
Authors: Khadim Sumaira , Naeem Iyad Muhammad , Alam Muhammad Tanveer , Rehman Hina , Ghayas Sidra , Haider Sajjad 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe challenge of eradicating <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> through antibiotic treatment is still a significant concern due to the existence of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of sequential therapy based on levofloxacin versus triple therapy based on moxifloxacin in treating H. pylori infection in patients receiving first-line treatment.Material and methodsA total of 162 patients who were examined positive for <i>H. pylori</i> were randomly assigned to either of 2 groups to receive the following: (a) levofloxacin 500mg BID, amoxicillin 1 g BID, and omeprazole 20 mg BID for the first 5 days, followed by levofloxacin 500 mg BID, tinidazole 500 mg BID, and omeprazole 20 mg BID (LAO-LTO group); or (b) moxifloxacin 400 mg OD, amoxicillin 1 g BID, and omeprazole 20 mg BID (MAO group) for 10 days.ResultsThe eradication rate of <i>H. pylori</i> in the LAO-LTO group was 58.4% (45/77) and 76.3% (45/59), and in the MAO group it was 81.2% (69/85) and 92% (69/75), respectively, in ITT and PP analyses. Eradication rates of moxifloxacin-based triple therapies were significantly higher than those of levofloxacin-based regimens (p < 0.001). The overall incidence of side effects and patient compliance was significantly lower in the moxifloxacin group
(p < 0.005) than in the levofloxacin group.ConclusionsMoxifloxacin-based triple therapy could be a significantly more effective first-line eradication treatment as compared to levofloxacin-based sequential therapy for <i>H. pylori</i> infection in Pakistan.
Lectio praecursoria: Huumaava äänten pauhu
Authors: Niemelä Marko 
Published: October 2023

Lectio praecursoria:
Immersed in an Intoxicating Medley of Sound:
The Soundscape of the Rovaniemi Fair from 1881 to 1930
This doctoral dissertation in cultural history examines the soundscape of the Rovaniemi Fair—a key site and an event that has historically embodied the town of Rovaniemi and the region of Lapland as a whole. I examine the meanings associated with sounds in different sources, and investigate how sound was used and for what purpose, and how the soundscape changed from the founding of the Rovaniemi Fair in 1881 to the founding of the new marketplace in 1930. I approach the topic through the framework of soundscape studies, research on mentalities, and cultural history. I combine perspectives from musical anthropology and history of mentalities with cultural sound studies and cultural history. Methodologically, my study draws in particular on cultural history. The data analyzed consist of texts in newspapers and magazines, literature of the period under study, and novels. The main focus is on data sources stemming from Northern Finland, but the dataset has been complemented by other relevant sources originating elsewhere and produced at different times. In this study, I also argue that the history of music in Northern Finland has remained largely understudied.
For people of that time, the Rovaniemi Fair signified both work and celebration. I argue that mentalities that inform collective conceptions of reality can be identified in the texts dealing with the Fair. Two seemingly opposing mentalities—a mentality of carnival and that of control—coexisted and interacted against the backdrop of the Fair. Carnival as a soundscape meant lively merrymaking that allowed people to transcend the everyday; however, this took place within the framework of control imposed by legislation and cultural practices. The mentalities of carnival and control can be interpreted as being constructed dialogically as the sum of various attitudes. Together they can be seen to form a collective ethos and a mental ambience—the Fair mentality. People engaged in trade, danced, made music and enjoyed themselves in many other ways: At the fair they were immersed in an intoxicating medley of sound.