bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anxiously expecting during a COVID-19: a cross-sectional descriptive inquiry on the effects of the pandemic on pregnant women
Authors: Ionescu T. C. , Zaharia S. , Draganescu M. I. , Tudose C. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionWhile pregnancy itself is a risk factor in the development of anxiety disorders, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional pressure on expecting women. Despite these two independent factors, no study regarding their cumulative effect on anxiety in soon-to-be Romanian mothers exists.ObjectivesThis study intends to address this deficiency by measuring the level of anxiety in a sample of pregnant women from the public healthcare sector in Romania.MethodsSociodemographic data and Zung Self-reported Anxiety Scores (SAS) were used to look at 121 pregnant women to get a fuller picture of anxiety in pregnant women during the pandemic.ResultsSome of the main findings of the study are as follows: anxiety symptoms are more intense during the first trimester of pregnancy, especially in the psychological domain of the scale, as opposed to the third one. High BMI was weakly correlated with lower Zung Scale scores, while marital status and having other children were moderately correlated with less anxiety symptoms. While no association could be found between history of infection, vaccination and anxiety, surprisingly, unvaccinated women showed less psychological distress than vaccinated ones (moderate correlation), suggesting that less anxiety prone women are also less likely to get adequate protection. Getting one’s information from official sources also proved to be weakly correlated with higher Zung Scale scores.Image:Image 2:ConclusionsIn conclusions, the findings of this study can serve as a start for further inquiry regarding the impact of the COVID pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
How Covid-19 changed psychiatric department admissions: observational study comparison of psychiatric department admissions over three years
Authors: Barlattani T. , D’Amelio C. , Russo A. , Santini R. , Pacitti F. , Rossi A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionAlthough the role of SARS-CoV2 pandemic on psychiatric Emergency Department (ED) encounters, has been analysed, few studies have focused on the pandemic influence on patients’ characteristics and admission rates in a psychiatric ward.ObjectivesThe aim of this cross-sectional study is to analyse characteristics of patients admitted in the psychiatric ward of “San Salvatore” Hospital in L’Aquila (Italy) in a three-year timeframe, from 2019 to 2021, and evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on admission trends over the course of these three years.MethodsWe collected data regarding 1115 patients from the hospital discharge summaries (Scheda di Dimissione Ospedaliera, SDO) of “San Salvatore” Hospital. Patients were sorted according to diagnosis, year of admission and age range. Comparison of mean values from each group was attained using the Student’s t-test, while percentages and ratios were compared by means of the Chi-Square test.ResultsBetween January 2019 and December 2021, 1115 patients were admitted in our psychiatric ward. In 2020, during pandemic outbreak, we observed a reduction of the number of admissions, with 351 patients. Although no statistically significant differences were found regarding patients’ gender or age, we observed a higher number of male patients admitted during all three years (male/female ratio: 231/171 in 2019, 217/134 in 2020 and 192/170 in 2021). Admission rates of patients aged between 18 to 30 years were higher during 2020 and 2021, conversely in the previous year the most represented group were patients aged between 41 to 50 years. Regarding diagnostic categories, percentages remained relatively steady during the three years. Nevertheless, it was possible to observe a slight reduction of Schizo-Psychotic disorders (175/402; 45,53% in 2019, 135/351; 38.46% in 2020 and 119/362; 32,87% in 2021) and a slighter reduction of Personality disorders percentages (49/402; 12,19% in 2019, 37/351; 10,54% in 2020 and 36/362; 9,94% in 2021). Conversely, results showed an increase in admission of patients with substance use disorder: 24 out of 402 patients (5,97%) in 2019, 32 out of 351 patients (9,12%) in 2020, and 46 out of 362 patients (12,71%) in 2021.Image 2:Image 3:ConclusionsDespite biases due to the one-site evaluation, the strength of the present study relies in the retrospectively cross-sectional observation design conducted to evaluate a three-year timeframe, spanning throughout the pandemic. The sharp reduction of admissions rates in 2020, is in line with other data regarding ED accesses’ trends during pandemic. Increasing rates of admission of patients between 18 and 30 years could be a result of a stronger impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health. Moreover, increasing trends of admission of patients with substance abuse disorders may be potentially addressed to distress symptoms brought by the pandemic.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Efficiency of a psychiatric support for PTSD on a cohort of relatives of patients hospitalized in intensive care unit during the French lockdown – the OLAF (Opération Liaison et Aide aux Familles in French) dispositive
Authors: Raymond V. , Salles J. , Aïtout C. , Ducos G. , Silva S. , Arbus C. , Birmes P. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionHaving a family member admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can cause a severe psychological stress, and various psychological disorders gathered into the notion of Post intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F). In this way, Family-centered care in ICU represents the aim of international accepted recommendations focusing on a partnership approach to health care decision-making between the family and health care provider to prevent PICS-F. During the first SARS-CoV-2 linked lockdown, social restrictions impaired the right application of these recommendations, increasing risk of PICS-F, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).ObjectivesThe main objective was to compare the PTSD prevalence at 6 months in a group of relatives including during OLAF implementation with a control group in a cohort of ICU-patient relatives.MethodsConsidering this, the psychiatric team and the ICU team of the Toulouse University, France, proposed the creation of a temporary device called OLAF (Opération de Liaison et d’Aide aux Familles in French), aiming to bring a psychological phone support to ICU-patient relatives. Besides this operational approach we designed a research approach that aimed to investigate the impact of OLAF device on PICS-F.ResultsWe noted that 12 participants (11.5 %) presented a PTSD at 6 months without statistically significant differences between the groups (p=0.8). Considering that OLAF group presented higher PDI (Peritraumatric Distress Inventory) score at screening we also considered a mediation model suggesting that OLAF could have played a role to diminish the PCL-5 score as a covariable. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, we found that the only factor associated with the PTSD diagnosis was the level of Anxiety and Depression Signs measured with HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at screening (OR= 1.2, p<0.001).ConclusionsWe found no difference in PTSD prevalence according to OLAF intervention. Nevertheless, our result suggested that the intervention could have play a role in reducing PTSD by acting on anxiety and peri traumatic distress in a mediated model. We found that anxiety score could serve as a risk marker to predict PTSD and should probably be precociously screened and treated in this population.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Burnout Syndrome and its associated factors among anesthesia technicians in a Teaching Hospital in the central region of Tunisia
Authors: Athimni Z. , Chouchen A. , Kalboussi H. , Nsiri L. , Ferhi F. , Aloui A. , Gaddour A. , Bouhoula M. , Maoua M. , Brahem A. , Maalel O. , Chatti S. , Kacem I. , Mrizak N. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionBurnout (BO) is a syndrome combining psychological and somatic symptoms caused by exposure to several years of chronic stress at work. Far from being a theoretical problem, it is a real social problem that has become globalized as societies change. Anesthesiology is among the most stressful medical disciplines which expose to BO in Tunisia and around the world.ObjectivesIdentify associated factors to BO among anesthesia technicians.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study during two months, from October 1st, 2015 to December 31th, 2015, among anesthesia technicians affected in the different operating rooms of the Farhat Hached teaching Hospital in Sousse. Data collection was based on a self-administered questionnaire with validated tools assessing BO (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and stress (Siegrist and Karasek)..ResultsForty-six senior anaesthesia technicians was included in the study. The mean age of our population was 43.76 ±7.74 years with a female predominance (89.1%). According to the Karasek model, 59% of the workers were in job strain, and according to the Siegrist model 23.9% of the participants had an imbalance between high effort and low reward. The BO rate among anaesthesia technicians at the Farhat Hached University Hospital was 39.1%. The results showed a statistically significant association between working at the gynaecology-obstetrics department (p=0.001), the seniority in the department superior or equal to 20 years (p=0.006), the absence of break time at work (p=0.003) and the risk of the occurrence of BO. Furthermore, the last 2 consecutive day rest dates back to more than 15 days (p=0.001), the number of free weekends during the last 3 months less than four (p=0.044) were also significant associated to BO.ConclusionsOur study confirms that BO is a tangible reality in our country especially among anesthesia technicians, so it must be addressed by adopting effective preventive strategies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
All-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with depression in Scotland
Authors: Alotaibi R. , Halbesma N. , Wild S. , Jackson C. A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPremature mortality in people with depression is well established. A better understanding of the causes of death and the relative risks of death from each cause may help identify factors that contribute to the health inequalities between people with and without depression.ObjectivesTo describe all-cause and cause-specific mortality of people with a hospital admission record for depression in Scotland, relative to the general population.MethodsWe used a linked population-based dataset of all psychiatric hospital admissions in Scotland to the national death dataset to identify 28,837 adults ≥18 years of age who had a hospital admission record of depression between 2000 and 2019. We obtained general population estimates and mortality data from the National Records of Scotland and quantified the relative difference in mortality by calculating the standardised mortality ratio (SMR), using indirect standardisation and stratifying by sex.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 8.1 years, 7,931(27.5%) people who were hospitalised for depression died. Circulatory system diseases were the most common causes of death. Standardised all-cause mortality was more than three times higher than would be expected based on death rates in the general Scottish population. SMRs were similar in men and women for all-cause mortality and, in general, for cause-specific death (Table 1). The SMR for the suicide category was markedly higher in women than men, partly explained by the higher suicide mortality in males than females in the general population.Table 1All-cause and cause-specific mortality of people hospitalised for depression in Scotland 2000-19Observed deaths, n(All)Expected deaths, n(All)SMR (95% CI)(All)Observed deaths, n(Male)Expected deaths, n(Male)SMR (95% CI)(Male)Observed deaths, n(Female)Expected deaths, n(FemaleSMR (95% CI)(Female)
All-cause7,93124273.3(3.2-3.3)361710523.4(3.3-3.5)431413753.1(3.0-3.2)Circulatory system diseases2,0208062.5(2.4-2.6)8863432.6(2.4-2.7)1,1344632.4(2.3-2.6)Neoplasms1,1536821.7(1.6-1.8)5343061.7(1.6-1.9)6193761.6(1.5-1.8)Respiratory system diseases1,1062923.8(3.6-4.0)4531124.0(3.7-4.4)6531803.6(3.3-3.9)Mental & behavioural disorders8351316.4(5.9-6.8)333526.4(5.7-7.2)502796.3(5.8-6.9)Accidents395695.7(5.2-6.3)224385.9(5.1-6.7)171315.5(4.7-6.3)Suicide, self-harm & injuries of undetermined Intent8055315.2(14.1-16.2)4853912.4(11.3-13.5)3201422.9(20.3-25.4)Other external cause2864.7(2.9-6.4)1635.3 (2.7- 7.9)1234.0(1.7-6.3)Other natural diseases1,5893884.1(3.9-4.3)6861594.3 (4.0-4.6)9032293.9(3.7-4.2)CI: Confidence interval; SMR: Standardised mortality ratioConclusionsPeople hospitalised for depression continue to have higher all-cause mortality than the general population in Scotland, with relative mortality varying by cause of death.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
In Silico Screening as a Tool to Prepare Drug-Drug Cocrystals of Ibrutinib-Ketoconazole: a Strategy to Enhance Their Solubility Profiles and Oral Bioavailability
Authors: Kara Divya Dhatri , Bangera Pragathi Devanand , Mehta Chetan Hasmukh , Tanvi Katikala , Rathnanand Mahalaxmi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIbrutinib (IBR) is a biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class II drug and an irreversible Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. IBR has an extremely low oral bioavailability due to the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme. The current intention of the research was to enhance solubility followed by oral bioavailability of IBR using the hot melt extrusion (HME) technique by formulating drug-drug cocrystals (DDCs). Ketoconazole (KET) is an active CYP3A4 inhibitor and was selected based on computational studies and solubility parameter prediction. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluations were employed for estimating the formation of IBR-KET DDCs. The IBR-KET DDC system was discovered to have a hydrogen bond (H-bond) and π-π-stacking interactions, in accordance with the computational results. Further, IBR-KET DDCs showed enhanced solubility, stability, powder dissolution, in vitro release, and flow properties. Furthermore, IBR-KET-DDCs were associated with enhanced cytotoxic activity in K562-CCL-243 cancer cell lines when compared with IBR and KET alone. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies have shown an enhanced oral bioavailability of up to 4.30 folds of IBR and 2.31 folds of KET through IBR-KET-DDCs compared to that of the IBR and KET suspension alone. Thus, the prepared IBR-KET-DDCs using the HME technique stand as a favorable drug delivery system that augments the solubility and oral bioavailability of IBR along with KET.
Graphical abstract
New Horizons: Epidemiology of Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Harborg Sixten , Kjærgaard Kasper A , Thomsen Reimar Wernich , Borgquist Signe , Cronin-Fenton Deirdre , Hjorth Cathrine F 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The global prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus has increased in parallel with increasing cancer incidence, due to environmental and lifestyle factors and population aging. Metabolic diseases are associated with increased cancer risk, so a growing number of patients with cancer have coexistent obesity and/or diabetes mellitus. In this narrative review, we highlight recent evidence on the clinical impact of obesity and diabetes mellitus on the prognosis of prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer, and provide an overview of the underlying mechanisms. There is evidence that obesity is associated with increased risk of recurrence, and all-cause and cancer-specific mortality among adults with prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer. Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased all-cause and cancer-specific mortality for these 3 cancers, beyond any impact of obesity. Evidence also suggests increased risk of colorectal cancer recurrence in patients with diabetes mellitus. The underlying mechanisms are multifactorial and likely include hormonal imbalances and chronic inflammation that promote cancer cell growth. Obesity and diabetes mellitus are associated with increased risk of complications and side effects of cancer treatment. Associated comorbidities such as impaired kidney function, cardiovascular disease, and neuropathies may preclude the use of guideline cancer treatment and are competing causes of death. Cancer patients with metabolic diseases require a designated clinical program and a multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, nutritionists, and physiotherapists, to ensure coordinated and optimized patient care.
When citizen science meets radon building diagnosis: Synthesis of a French pilot project developed in the framework of the European RadoNorm research project
Authors: Andresz Sylvain , Marchand-Moury Ambre , Goyette-Pernot Joëlle , Rivière Anne-Laure , Schieber Caroline 
Published: August 2023

As part of the European RadoNorm research project, citizen science pilot projects focusing on the management of radon risk in houses have been implemented in four countries. This article describes the methodological basis, the development and the results of the French pilot project. Building on an initial review of existing literature, the pilot project aims to frame a ‘participatory approach’ aligned with the standards and recognized practices of citizen science. Particular attention was given to the management of data and the inclusion of ethical considerations. The focal point of the project was the process of radon building diagnosis which is supposed to be carried out whenever (high) radon concentrations are measured and should be prerequisite to mitigation works. As experience shows, however, this diagnosis is hardly implemented in France. To help remedy this situation, the pilot project recruited citizens already aware about radon from Pays Vesoul Val-de-Saône (East of France) to test an existing online self-evaluation guide for radon diagnosis, report on their operational experience and meet with radon/building experts. This enabled citizens to contribute to improvements in form and content to the guide and to ensure that it would be better fit for purpose. Comparison of the guide with experts’ practices offered additional perspectives on what building diagnosis should entail. The pilot project produced rich and high-quality data that will nurture the evolution of the guide. The project demonstrated both the viability and the utility of applying the citizen science approach to radon post-measurement phases, with measurable benefits in bridging knowledge gaps and in encouraging behavioural changes. The results of using a citizen science approach in the field of radon management and research are encouraging, and they far outweigh the challenges involved in the implementation.
Patterns of neurobehavioral functioning in school-aged survivors of neonatal jaundice and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in Kilifi, Kenya: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Magai Dorcas N. , Newton Charles R , Mwangi Paul , Koot Hans M. , Abubakar Amina 
Published: August 2023

Background: Studies in high-income countries have reported that school-aged children who survive neonatal jaundice (NNJ) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) develop long-term neurocognitive problems. However, less is known about the patterns of functioning in school-aged survivors of NNJ and HIE in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined patterns of functioning in school-aged children who survived NNJ and HIE in Kilifi, Kenya. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included 107 survivors of NNJ/HIE (64 with NNJ, 43 with HIE), aged 6-12 years, admitted to Kilifi County Hospital on the Kenyan Coast. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Adapted Communication Profile, Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) and an epilepsy screening tool were used to assess gross motor function, communication function, intellectual functioning, and epilepsy, respectively. Results: Most of the survivors of NNJ (95.2%) and HIE (95.3%) had no impairments in gross motor functioning. A small percentage of the children in the NNJ and HIE groups had profound problems in their communication (4.7% and 4.7%); expressive communication function (4.7% and 4.7%); social functions (3.1% and 2.3%); receptive communication (4.7% and 2.3%); and communicative effectiveness (4.7% and 2.3%). Cognitive impairment was reported in 10.9% and 11.9% for NNJ and HIE survivors, respectively. Active epilepsy was detected in 1.6% of survivors of NNJ and 2.3% of survivors of HIE. A subgroup of severe NNJ and HIE survivors without co-occurring conditions had the worst intellectual and active epilepsy outcomes. All children had normal hearing and visual functioning except one participant who presented with mild visual acuity problems. Conclusions: Most school-aged children who survive with NNJ and HIE have normal motor and communication function; however, one in ten are likely to present with lowered intellectual functioning compared to the normative sample.
ChromatoShiny: an interactive R/Shiny App for plotting chromatography profiles
Authors: Kochanova Natalia Y. , Abad Maria Alba , Vizjak Petra , Jeyaprakash A. Arockia , Earnshaw William C. , Kustatscher Georg 
Published: August 2023

Background: UnicornTM software on Äkta liquid chromatography instruments outputs chromatography profiles of purified biological macromolecules. While the plots generated by the instrument software are very helpful to inspect basic chromatogram properties, they lack a range of useful annotation, customization and export options. Methods: We use the R Shiny framework to build an interactive app that facilitates the interpretation of chromatograms and the generation of figures for publications. Results: The app allows users to fit a baseline, to highlight selected fractions and elution volumes inside or under the plot (e.g. those used for downstream biochemical/biophysical/structural analysis) and to zoom into the plot. The app is freely available at https://ChromatoShiny.bio.ed.ac.uk. Conclusions: It requires no programming experience, so we anticipate that it will enable chromatography users to create informative, annotated chromatogram plots quickly and simply.
Assessment of DNA Damage in Peripheral Blood of Tobacco Users
Authors: P Manikantan , S Rajkumar , P Thirunavukkarasu , K Harishankar 
Published: August 2023

The smokeless tobacco has a physical powerful association with the risk of oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, Oral squamous cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. ST components exhibit genotoxicity and may alter the structure of DNA, proteins and lipids, resulting in the production of antigenicity. Present study was carried out to investigate the effects of chewing tobacco (CT) with smoking on lymphocyte DNA damage. After signing a consent form, volunteers provided blood samples (76 samples from including experimental and control subjects) to establish SCGE (comet). Statistically significant results were obtained in experimental subjects when compared to controls. However association found with smoking had significant effect, and it can induce maximum amount of DNA damage. The genotoxic effect of chewing tobacco (CT) should be considered in addition to other known hazards for assessing health risks.