bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing Impacts Parental Fatigue
Authors: DiNardo Lauren A. , Reese Alyssa D. , Raghavan Maya , Ma Alison C. , Behar Philomena , Hassinger Amanda B. , Carr Michele M. 
Published: August 2023

Objective: Previous research has indicated that sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can lead to a decreased quality of life in children and their families as compared to children who do not have SDB. The purpose of this study was to examine fatigue levels in parents who had young children who were impacted by sleep symptoms as determined by the OSA-18 scale. Study Design: Survey. Setting: Three pediatric otolaryngology clinics associated with a tertiary care children’s hospital in Buffalo, NY. Methods: Fatigue levels for parents of children with OSA-18 ≥ 60 were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Consecutive parents with at least one child between the ages of 1 and 10 were recruited. Parents scored their youngest child on the OSA-18 scale. Results: Of the 261 respondents included, 37 parents had a child with an OSA-18 score ≥60. The majority, 211 (82.1%), of participants reported 2 caregivers in the household while 30 (11.7%) had 1 caregiver in the household. Parents of children with OSA-18 ≥60 had a significantly higher mean fatigue score, 16.5 ± 5.8, compared to their counterparts, 11.9 ± 5.2, on the Chalder Fatigue Scale ( P < .001). Similar results were reported for the total score on the Fatigue Severity Scale, 34.7 ± 10.8 compared to 28.9 ± 12.0 ( P = .004). Conclusion: Parents of children with OSA-18 score ≥60 are significantly more fatigued than parents of children with lower scores. Recognition of this is important for the health care community as it impacts not just the child with OSA but also their family.
Use of the G8 Geriatric Screening Tool in Surgical Head and Neck Cancer Patients Requiring Rehabilitation: A Multisite Investigation
Authors: Palmer Andrew D. , Starmer Heather , Sathe Nishad , Yao Theresa Jingyun , Bolognone Rachel K. , Edwards Jeffrey , Crino Carrie , Kizner Jennifer , Graville Donna J. 
Published: August 2023

Objectives: The G8 is a well-validated screening test for older cancer patients. The current study was undertaken to determine whether the G8 is predictive of short-term post-operative outcomes after head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery. Methods: Consecutive patients aged 65 years or more and referred for a preoperative assessment by a speech-language pathologist were consecutively screened by clinicians at 2 academic medical centers using the G8. The G8 was used to screen for vulnerability prior to surgery. Patients were deemed vulnerable if they had a total G8 score ≤14 according to published guidelines. Data were also collected on demographic characteristics, tumor staging, post-operative course, and tracheostomy and feeding tube (FT) status. Results: Ninety patients were consecutively screened during the study period. Using the G8, 64% of the patients were deemed vulnerable. Vulnerable patients differed significantly from non-vulnerable patients with regard to age, health, tumor stage, and baseline dysphagia, and underwent more extensive surgery. Postoperatively, vulnerable patients had a significantly longer hospital length of stay (LOS; 10.17 vs 5.50 days, respectively, P < .001), were less likely to discharge home (76% vs 94%, P = .044), and were more likely to be FT dependent for over a month (54% vs 21%, P = .006) compared to non-vulnerable patients. In regression models, controlling for T-stage and surgical variables, the G8 independently predicted 2 post-operative outcomes of interest, namely LOS and FT dependency. Conclusions: The G8 may be a useful screening tool for identifying older adults at risk of a protracted postoperative medical course after HNC surgery. Future research should aim to identify the optimal screening protocol and how this information can be incorporated into clinical pathways to enhance the post-operative outcomes of older HNC patients.
Supportive leadership and job satisfaction at the European Court of Auditors
Authors: Uman Timur , Argento Daniela , Grossi Giuseppe , Mattei Giorgia 
Published: August 2023

This article draws on theories of person–organisation fit and leadership behaviour to explore how supportive leadership is related to communication practices, collaborative working practices and performance management practices and how these three practices, in turn, relate to public servants’ job satisfaction. A model of supportive leadership's direct and indirect effects on employees’ job satisfaction is empirically tested using responses to a survey administered to the European Court of Auditors (ECA) staff. The findings show that communication and collaborative working practices mediate the relationship between supportive leadership and job satisfaction. Supportive leadership positively relates to performance management practices, but these practices have no significant association with job satisfaction. While addressing a theoretical void in the field, this study also makes an empirical contribution by unveiling how a professional European public audit institution manages its human resources and the means it uses. Points for practitioners Elaborating on the relationship between leadership behaviour and person–organisation fit in the context of a supranational public entity helps to explain what motivates public servants. The relationship between supportive leadership and public servants’ job satisfaction is mediated by two organisational practices: communication and collaborative working practices. Transparent performance management practices do not mediate the relationship between supportive leadership and job satisfaction. Public sector organisations with professional staff can centre their human resource management around effective communication and collaborative working practices to ensure greater employee satisfaction in the workplace.
Outcomes comparison between percutaneous decannulation with perclose ProGlide and surgical decannulation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Sun Guangfeng , Huang Shan , Zhang Guoming , Zhang Zhixiang , Wang Bin 
Published: August 2023

Objective Our study aimed to compare the decannulation-related outcomes of two different decannulation methods in patients who underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support, namely percutaneous decannulation with Perclose ProGlide device and conventional surgical repair. Background Surgical vascular repair is a standard strategy when ECMO is to be terminated and sometimes associated with severe complications. Percutaneous decannulation using Perclose ProGlide has been reported to be feasible and safe in selected patients, but there is a paucity of literature to make systematic comparisons between the two decannulation methods. Methods 41 patients who were supported with VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, or escort of complex interventions from December 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled. Of these, 30 underwent percutaneous Perclose ProGlide decannulation and 11 underwent surgical repair. The clinical characteristics and complication rates were analyzed. Results Patients in the two groups showed a similar incidence of vascular-related complications, such as acute lower limb ischemia, major bleeding, severe hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous fistula [20% versus 18.2%, p=.896]. The incidence of groin infection and delayed healing was significantly higher in the surgical removal group [3.3% versus 36.4%, p=.014]. Conclusions Percutaneous decannulation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with the Perclose ProGlide device is a feasible and safe technique that simplifies the decannulation process, shortens the hospitalization duration, and lowers the potential risk of groin infection and delayed wound healing.
Aspects of Program Engagement in an Online Physical Activity Intervention and Baseline Predictors of Engagement
Authors: Moffit Reagan , McTigue Kathleen , Conroy Molly B , Kriska Andrea , Fischer Gary , Ricci Edmund , Dunstan David , Deperrior Sarah , Rao Neel , Burke Lora E , Rockette-Wagner Bonny 
Published: August 2023

Purpose Participant engagement in an online physical activity (PA) intervention is described and baseline factors related to engagement are identified. Design Longitudinal Study Within Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting Online/Internet. Sample Primary care patients (21-70 years). Intervention ActiveGOALS was a 3-month, self-directed online PA intervention (15 total lessons, remote coaching support, and a body-worn step-counter). Measures Engagement was measured across six outcomes related to lesson completion (total number and time to complete), coach contact, and behavior tracking (PA, sedentary). Self-reported baseline factors were examined from seven domains (confidence, environment, health, health care, demographic, lifestyle, and quality of life). Analysis General linear and nonlinear mixed models were used to examine relationships between baseline factors and engagement outcomes within and across all domains. Results Seventy-nine participants were included in the sample (77.2% female; 74.7% white non-Hispanic). Program engagement was high (58.2% completed all lessons; PA was tracked ≥3 times/week for 11.3 ± 4.0 weeks on average). Average time between completed lessons (days) was longer than expected and participants only contacted their coach about 1 of every 3 weeks. Individual predictors related to health, health care, demographics, lifestyle, and quality of life were significantly related to engagement. Conclusion Examining multiple aspects of engagement and a large number of potential predictors of engagement is likely needed to determine facilitators and barriers for high engagement in multi-faceted online intervention programs.
The shifting political-administrative interface under Westminster: Australia’s prime ministerial views from Fraser to Morrison
Authors: Brown Prudence R 
Published: August 2023

Effective administrative-political relationships are vital for the quality of public administration, both within Westminster-style systems and beyond. However, changes in political practice can put pressure on Westminster administrative conventions. More broadly, recent research interest in the changes in accountability relationships between bureaucrats and political principals and associated challenges to the neutrality of the public service have highlighted the need for further work to explore the changing operation of administrative-political relationships. This article analyses 15 key speeches of eight Australian Prime Ministers to explore whether there has been a significant shift in expectations of the public service, and whether these shifts represent a fracturing of Westminster conventions, or are a result of ongoing trends such as higher expectations of public sector responsiveness and the shift to market mechanisms consistent with New Public Management. The article makes two contributions: it analyses the approaches of Prime Ministers in Australia from different political parties over nearly 50 years and it contributes to understanding shifts in the relationship between governments and the public sector. The analysis also has implications for underlying concerns about how public institutions cope with changes in political leadership, and about how democratic institutions manage under increasingly right-wing governments.
Acrylamide-induced meiotic arrest of spermatocytes in adolescent mice by triggering excessive DNA strand breaks: Potential therapeutic effects of resveratrol
Authors: Gao Y , Zhang D , Wang P , Qu X , Xu J , Yu Y , Zhou X 
Published: August 2023

Background: Baked carbohydrate-rich foods are the main source of acrylamide (AA) in the general population and are widely consumed by teenagers. Considering the crucial development of the reproductive system during puberty, the health risks posed by AA in adolescent males have raised public concern. Methods: In this study, we exposed 3-week-old male pubertal mice to AA for 4 weeks to evaluate its effect on spermatogenesis using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and historical analysis. Flow cytometric analysis and meiocyte spreading assay were conducted to assess meiosis in mice. The expression of meiosis-related proteins and double-strand break (DSB) proteins were evaluated by immunoblot analyses. Additionally, isolated spermatocytes were used to explore the role of resveratrol in AA-induced damages of meiosis. Results: Our results showed that AA decreased the testicular and epididymal indexes, reduced sperm count and motility, and induced morphological disruption of the testes in pubertal mice. Subsequent meiotic analysis revealed that AA increased the proportion of 4C spermatocytes and decreased the proportion of 1C spermatids. The expression levels of meiosis-related proteins (SYCP3, Cyclin A1 and CDK2) were downregulated, and signaling proteins (γH2AX, p-CHK2 and p-ATM) expression levels were upregulated in AA-treated mice testes. Similar expression patterns were observed in primary spermatocytes treated with AA and these effects were reversed significantly by resveratrol. Conclusions: Our results indicate that AA induces meiotic arrest via persistent activation of DSBs, which may contribute to AA-compromised spermatogenesis. Resveratrol could serve as a potential therapeutic agent against AA-induced meiotic toxicity. These data highlight the importance of natural product supplementation for treating AA-related reproductive toxicity.
N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine Ameliorations Renal Function Early After Renal Ischemia and Reperfusion; it is not Protective over a Long Term under a High-Sodium Diet in Rats
Authors: Pereira Rafael Canavel , Romão Carolina Martinez , Corrêa Beatriz Santos Geoffroy , Dominguez Wagner Vasques , Furukawa Luzia Naôko Shinohara 
Published: August 2023

Objectives To evaluate the early and late effects of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) treatment on renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) insult in adult Wistar rats influenced by chronic high sodium (HS) intake. Materials and Methods Adult male Wistar rats (8 weeks of age) received an HS (8.0% NaCl) or normal sodium (NS; 1.3% NaCl) diet and NAC (600 mg/L) in drinking water or normal water. At 11 weeks of age, the rats underwent a renal I/R procedure. They followed for 10 weeks after I/R, at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 10th weeks, in which tail blood pressure (tBP) and renal function were evaluated. And renal renin gene expression was evaluated in the 10th week after I/R. Results During the study, it was observed that the tBP remained consistently higher in the HS-I/R+water group compared to the NS-I/R+water group. However, in the early weeks following I/R (1st, 2nd, and 4th weeks), the tBP was lower in the HS-I/R+NAC group than in the HS-I/R+water group. In the 10th week after I/R, the serum creatinine levels were higher in both the HS-I/R+NAC and NS-I/R+NAC groups compared to the HS-I/R+water and NS-I/R+water groups. Conversely, the creatinine clearance was higher in the HS-I/R+NAC group than in the HS-I/R+ group in the 2nd week following I/R. Additionally, the urinary protein levels were higher in the HS-I/R+NAC group than in the NS-I/R+NAC group in the 10th week after I/R. It was also observed that NAC treatment resulted in increased renal renin gene expression in the 10th week following I/R. Conclusion After renal I/R in animals given HS, NAC treatment was initially effective in lowering blood pressure or increasing creatinine clearance. However, these positive effects did not persist over the long term, resulting in decreased kidney function and increased blood pressure. Furthermore, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was increased by HS intake, and the benefits of the NS diet were less effective than those of the HS diet. Thus, NAC provides temporary protection only in the early stages following an insult.
Research on Electroacupuncture Parameters for Cancer Pain Based on Data Mining
Authors: Li Quan-yao , Yang Wen-xiao , Liu Hui , Jiao Li-Jing , Gong Ya-bin , Shi Jun 
Published: August 2023

Background: Cancer pain, a common complication of this disease, has been widely treated by electroacupuncture in recent years. However, there are numerous treatment parameters that are not conducive to clinical translation applications. This study aims to summarize the stimulation parameters commonly used in electroacupuncture treating cancer pain by data mining and visualization techniques to provide a basis for the future acupuncture technology transformation and selection of optimal stimulation parameters. Methods: Nine databases, including Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, OVID, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, China Biology Medicine disk, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang Database, were searched for clinical studies on electroacupuncture treatment cancer pain published between January 2012 and September 2022. A database was established using Microsoft Excel 2020 and analyzed with SPSS Modeler 18.1 software and SPSS statistics 26.0 software. Results: Twenty-four articles were included according to the established criteria. The most used electroacupuncture stimulation parameters were a dilatational wave, the current frequency of 2/100 Hz, stimulation duration of 30 minutes per treatment, and frequency of treatment once a day. Fifty-eight acupoints were mentioned, and the total frequency of acupoints involved was 156 times. The most used ones include Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP06), Hegu (LI04), Neiguan (PC06), Quchi (LI11), Taichong (LR03), Ashi point, Jiaji point, and those most generally used acupoints that are closely arranged on the Stomach Channel of Foot Yangming and the Spleen Channel of Foot Taiyin. The association analysis of acupoints revealed that the most supported acupoint pair was Sanyinjiao (SP06) and Zusanli (ST36). Cluster analysis demonstrated 3 groups, 1 for obligatory acupoints, 1 for Ashi point, and the third for Jiaji point. Conclusions: A dilatational wave, the current frequency of 2/100 Hz, 30-minute stimulation, and acupoints of the Stomach Channel of Foot Yangming and the Spleen Channel of Foot Taiyin selection are frequently used in electroacupuncture for treating cancer pain. Due to the limitations of this study, further research and more standardized, multi-center, large-sample clinical trials can be carried out to guide optimizing acupuncture treatment schemes and promote the formation of TCM-characteristic technologies for cancer pain.
Initial clinical experience with the Bendit steerable articulating tip microcatheter for intracranial access and intervention
Authors: Qiao Yang , Zhang Yi J , Tsappidi Samuel , Mehta Tej I , Hui Ferdinand K 
Published: August 2023

Background The increasing complexity and sophistication of neurovascular implants and other therapeutic devices depend on access and delivery systems. Advancements in access technologies are required to improve minimally invasive endovascular procedures. Steerable catheters have been available in other disciplines, however, their implementation in neurovascular interventions has been a barrier previously due to issues with miniaturization and vascular caliber/complexity. Methods A retrospective review of the neurovascular stroke database was conducted in accordance with local IRB to identify patients that received neurointerventional endovascular procedures using a novel first iteration 0.021'' microcatheter with controlled articulating tip flexion. Indications, management, demographics, comorbidities, and clinical and technical outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Primary operator feedback on the novel catheter was collected and reviewed. Results Ten consecutive patients receiving treatment that involved a novel steerable 0.021'' microcatheter were identified and analyzed. No complications were reported. Novel useful features of the catheter were reported on a case-by-case basis. Conclusions Initial clinical experience with the controlled articulation that permits flexion at the tip of the microcatheter demonstrated it to be safe. Access to difficult proximal origin curves, and distal clinoidal/ophthalmic segment anatomy may be improved due to the high torque transmission, and acute angulation of this microcatheter. Further experience with the delivery of therapeutic devices will be necessary to better understand the potential role that the present catheter may play in modern neurointerventional procedures.
Adoption of electronic patient medication records in community pharmacies in the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Al Meslamani Ahmad Z , Jarab Anan S. , Abdel-Qader Derar H , Mohamed Ibrahim Osama , Al Mazrouei Nadia 
Published: August 2023

Background: Access to accurate and relevant patient health information is crucial for community pharmacists to deliver high-quality care. The use of electronic patient medication records (e-PMR) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently limited to hospital settings, and community pharmacists do not have access to patient records. Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of community pharmacists regarding the potential benefits, barriers, and concerns associated with the implementation of the e-PMR system in community pharmacies in the UAE. Method: A validated questionnaire was administered to a sample of licensed community pharmacists using proportionate random sampling. The survey was structured and consisted of 40 questions in four sections: characteristics of community pharmacists and pharmacies; perceived usefulness of e-PMR; perceived barriers; and concerns about the use of e-PMR. Results: In total, 552 pharmacists filled out the questionnaire (82.1% response rate). The majority of participants somewhat or strongly agreed that e-PMR would reduce drug abuse (71.6%), dispensing errors (64.4%) and prescribing errors (69.0%), and believed that e-PMR would enhance pharmacists’ ability to perform medication reviews (76.0%). Pharmacists in charge (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–3.6), facing difficulty tracking the medical history of patients (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 2.8–3.9) and working in pharmacies providing telepharmacy services (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 2.7–3.8) were more likely to consider e-PMR useful. Implications: The implementation of the e-PMR system in community pharmacies has potential benefits for patient safety and medication therapy management in the UAE.