bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges in using data on fathers/partners to study prenatal exposures and offspring health
Authors: Easey Kayleigh E , Gkatzionis Apostolos , Millard Louise AC , Tilling Kate , Lawlor Deborah A , Sharp Gemma C 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionPaternal exposures (and other non-maternal factors) around pregnancy could have important effects on offspring health. One challenge in research of paternal effects is that study samples with data on partners are usually a subgroup of those with data on mothers, which could introduce selection bias and limit generalisability of the findings. Here, we use maternal and father/partner data on prenatal behaviours to explore the extent to which selection in partner analyses might bias findings.MethodsWe characterise the availability of data on father/partner and mother health behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption and physical activity) in the prenatal period from three UK cohort studies: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), Born in Bradford (BiB) and the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). We assess the extent of sample selection in these cohorts by comparing the characteristics of families where the father/partner does and does not participate. Using the association of parental smoking during pregnancy and child birthweight as an exemplar, we used simulations to explore the extent to which missing father/partner data may bias estimates.ResultsIn all three cohorts, data on prenatal health behaviours of fathers/partners were less detailed and collected at fewer timepoints than data on prenatal health behaviours of mothers. Partners of mothers who had a lower socioeconomic position were less likely to participate. Estimates of the association between maternal smoking and offspring birthweight were similar in samples with and without participating partners in all three cohorts. In simulations based on ALSPAC data, there was little evidence of selection bias in associations of maternal smoking with birthweight, and although bias was observed for father/partner smoking, its magnitude was relatively small.DiscussionUsing real and simulated data, we show that bias due to selected recruitment of partners into ALSPAC, BiB and MCS had a relatively small impact on estimates of the effects of maternal and partner smoking on offspring birthweight. In other applications, the impact of selection bias will depend on both the analysis model and the selection mechanism. We have shown how to use a simulation study to assess that and recommend that applied researchers working with partner data use simulations and other sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of their results.
What are the impacts of oral complications from cancer therapy on the quality of life of children? A protocol to update a scoping review
Authors: Attaran Nona , Sharma Apoorva , Morris Martin , Dudubo Olawale , Macdonald Mary Ellen 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionCancer treatments can damage healthy tissues and organs, and leave harmful impacts on cancer survivors, especially on children and adolescents. The oral effects of cancer treatment can occur during or soon after treatment, or months – even years – later. Cancer treatments can also affect the child, psychologically and socially by hindering their speech, eating, sleeping, and social interactions. These effects can have profound impacts on children’s quality of life. Building on a previous review published in 2012, this scoping review aims to identify and map the current evidence base underpinning the oral health-related impacts of cancer treatment on the quality of life of children with cancer.Methodology and methodsOur methodology is guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework for scoping reviews, Levac’s additions to the framework, and follows the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer’s Manual. Five electronic databases and grey literature will be systematically searched using a predefined search strategy. Two reviewers will independently screen the retrieved articles using Rayyan software and chart data from included articles. One of the team’s senior research members will act as a third reviewer and make the final decision on disputed documents. We will include literature with a focus on oral health-related quality of life of children undergoing cancer treatments. Following the selection of studies, data will be extracted, synthesized, and reported thematically and the relevant stakeholder’s insight will be added to our results.Ethics and disseminationNo ethical approval is required as exclusively secondary data will be used. Results will be disseminated in cancer and oral health conferences, symposia, and a peer-reviewed journal. The information extracted from this review will also be the base for a qualitative study on the quality-of-life impacts of oral health effects of childhood cancer including children’s perspectives.
Prevalence and factors associated with abdominal and total obesity among low-income urban population of Kiambu County, Kenya
Authors: Mbuthia Grace Wambura , Ndithia James Mwangi , Oguta James Odhiambo , Akoth Catherine , Magutah Karani , Kawira Rosemary , Nyariki Caroline , Kimutai Nickson , Kinyua Agnes , McGarvey Stephen T. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObesity is a major risk factor for most non-communicable diseases whose burden has been rising rapidly in low and middle-income countries. To develop public health interventions to address the increasing burden of overweight and obesity, estimates of the prevalence and associated factors are needed in specific populations. The study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with total obesity and abdominal obesity among low-income adults in Kiambu County, Kenya. This community-based cross-sectional survey involved 1656 adults residing in Kiambu County. Multistage sampling was used in the selection of participants. Data were collected by trained community health volunteers (CHVs) in their respective sub-counties using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The CHVs also took anthropometric measurements using relevant tools and standard procedures. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the participants’ characteristics and proportions of adults with obesity. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with obesity. The mean age of participants was 40.8 (±14.3) years The overall prevalence of total obesity (body mass index [BMI]>30 kg/m2) was 28.8% (95% CI, 26.6%-30.9%), with a higher prevalence observed among females [33.6% (95% CI, 31.1%-36.2%)] than males [12.5% (95% CI, 9.6%-16.3%)]. A third (33.3%) of the participants were overweight (25<BMI < 30 kg/m2). The prevalence of abdominal obesity as measured by waist-height-ratio (WHtR) was 79.8%, by waist circumference (WC) was 74.0%. Obesity/overweight by BMI was associated with female gender, increasing age, monthly income, while abdominal obesity by WHtR/WC was associated with female gender, increasing age and cigarrete smoking. In conclusion, the prevalence of total obesity and abdominal obesity was high in the population. Public health strategies focusing on weight reduction and maintenance strategies are urgently needed among low-income adults.
Epidemiology and Survival outcomes of HIV-associated cervical cancer in Nigeria
Authors: Musa Jonah , Kocherginsky Masha , Magaji Francis A. , Maryam Ali J. , Asufi Joyce , Nenrot Danjuma , Burdett Kristen , Katam Neelima , Christian Elizabeth N. , Palanisamy Nisha , Odukoya Olukemi , Silas Olugbenga A. , Abdulkareem Fatimah , Akpa Philip , Badmos Kabir , Imade Godwin E. , Akanmu Alani S. , Gursel Demirkan B. , Zheng Yinan , Joyce Brian T. , Achenbach Chad J. , Sagay Atiene S. , Anorlu Rose , Wei Jian-Jun , Ogunsola Folasade , Murphy Robert L. , Hou Lifang , Simon Melissa A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionInvasive cervical cancer (ICC) is an HIV-associated cancer that is preventable and precancerous stages including early ICC stages could be detected through screening offering opportunities for treatment and cure. The high incidence in women living with HIV and late presentation often at advanced stages of ICC with limited treatment facilities often result in early mortality. We sought to compare the epidemiologic characteristics and survival differences in HIV status of ICC patients in Nigeria.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study at two federal academic hospital-based research sites in Jos University Teaching Hospital, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital Nigeria, between March 2018 and September 2022. We enrolled women with histologically confirmed ICC with known HIV status, and FIGO staging as part of the United States of America’s National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute funded project titled ‘Epigenomic Biomarkers of HIV-Associated Cancers in Nigeria’. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality with assessment of overall survival (OS) and time to death after ICC diagnosis. OS distribution was estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier and compared between groups using the log-rank test.ResultsA total of 239 women with confirmed ICC were enrolled and included in this analysis, of whom 192 (80.3%) were HIV-negative (HIV-/ICC+), and 47 (19.7%) were HIV-positive (HIV+/ICC+). The HIV+/ICC) patients were younger with median age 46 (IQR: 40-51) years compared to 57 (IQR: 45-66) among HIV-/ICC+) (P<0.001. Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest histopathologic variant in 80.4% of ICC diagnosis, moderately differentiated tumor grade in 68.1% in both groups. HIV+/ICC+ diagnosis was at FIGO advanced stages in 64.9% compared to 47.9% in HIV-/ICC+. The HIV-/ICC+ women had better OS compared to HIV+/ICC+ participants (p=0.018), with 12-month OS 84.1% (95%CI: 75% - 90%) and 67.6% (95%CI: 42%-84%) respectively.ConclusionICC is diagnosed at a relatively young age in women living with HIV, with a significantly lower overall survival probability compared to women without HIV. The trend of presentation and diagnosis at advanced stages in women living with HIV could partly explain the differences in overall survival.
Physicians’ attitudes and perceived barriers toward ward-based clinical pharmacist in hospital settings: Responses from a national survey
Authors: Hatem Najmaddin A. H. , Kubas Mohammed A. , Yousuf Seena A. , Rasam Abdunaser , Ibrahim Mohamed Izham Mohamed 
Published: August 2023

AbstractClinical pharmacy services CPSs are still in their infancy in Yemen. Furthermore, pharmacists are not members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, and their responsibilities are limited to drug dispensing and marketing. Thus, this study investigates physicians’ attitudes and perceived obstacles toward clinical pharmacists working in hospitals’ medical wards. A descriptive observational study was carried out using a validated self-administrated bilingual questionnaire. The study’s questionnaire was conducted among physicians in three teaching hospitals. Those hospitals were at the front to establish clinical pharmacy units and embrace clinical pharmacy services. Sixty-five responses were included. our data results indicated that physicians believed the most contributions for clinical pharmacists to improve patient care was “Attend medical rounds” 70.8%, followed by “Order review”. About 75% of physicians showed positive attitudes toward the clinical pharmacist role. However, more than 70% of physicians thought that clinical pharmacists should leave patient care to other healthcare members and care about drug products. There were Nine potential barriers out of 18 barriers were identified. Not enough clinical pharmacist staff working in the health center was considered as the top perceived barrier 83.1%; followed by clinical pharmacist responsibilities were not clearly defined”, and “clinical pharmacist recommendations are not properly documented”. In terms of enhancing physicians’ general attitudes and overcoming reported barriers. Strategies to expand clinical pharmacy services in Yemen should be emphasized on both, protocols should be established to outline how clinical pharmacists and physicians should collaborate besides, inter-professional collaboration relations are needed to be developed to overcome resistance and raise knowledge and awareness of CPS adoption among the healthcare team members.
Sensitive periods for exposure to indoor air pollutants and psychosocial factors in association with symptoms of psychopathology at school-age in a South African birth cohort
Authors: Christensen Grace M. , Marcus Michele , Vanker Aneesa , Eick Stephanie M. , Malcolm-Smith Susan , Smith Andrew D.A.C. , Dunn Erin C. , Suglia Shakira F. , Chang Howard H. , Zar Heather J. , Stein Dan J. , Hüls Anke 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundGestation and the first few months of life are important periods for brain development. During these periods, exposure to environmental toxicants and psychosocial stressors are particularly harmful and may impact brain development. Specifically, exposure to indoor air pollutants (IAP) and psychosocial factors (PF) during these sensitive periods has been shown to predict childhood psychopathology.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate sensitive periods for the individual and joint effects of IAP and PF on childhood psychopathology at 6.5 years.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Drakenstein Child Health Study (N=599), a South African birth cohort. Exposure to IAP and PF was measured during the second trimester of pregnancy and 4 months postpartum. The outcome of childhood psychopathology was assessed at 6.5 years old using the Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL). We investigated individual effects of either pre-or postnatal exposure to IAP and PF on CBCL scores using adjusted linear regression models, and joint effects of these exposures using quantile g-computation and self-organizing maps (SOM). To identify possible sensitive periods, we used a structured life course modeling approach (SLCMA) as well as exposure mixture methods (quantile g-computation and SOM).ResultsPrenatal exposure to IAP or PFs, as well as the total prenatal mixture assessed using quantile g-computation, were associated with increased psychopathology. SLCMA and SOM models also indicated that the prenatal period is a sensitive period for IAP exposure on childhood psychopathology. Depression and alcohol were associated in both the pre-and postnatal period, while CO was associated with the postnatal period.DiscussionPregnancy may be a sensitive period for the effect of indoor air pollution on childhood psychopathology. Exposure to maternal depression and alcohol in both periods was also associated with psychopathology. Determining sensitive periods of exposure is vital to ensure effective interventions to reduce childhood psychopathology.
Unique Capabilities of Genome Sequencing for Rare Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Wojcik Monica H , Lemire Gabrielle , Zaki Maha S , Wissman Mariel , Win Wathone , White Sue , Weisburd Ben , Waddell Leigh B , Verboon Jeffrey M , VanNoy Grace E. , Töpf Ana , Tan Tiong Yang , Straub Volker , Stenton Sarah L , Snow Hana , Singer-Berk Moriel , Silver Josh , Shril Shirlee , Seaby Eleanor G , Schneider Ronen , Sankaran Vijay G , Sanchis-Juan Alba , Russell Kathryn A , Reinson Karit , Ravenscroft Gianina , Pierce Eric A , Place Emily M , Pajusalu Sander , Pais Lynn , Õunap Katrin , Osei-Owusu Ikeoluwa , Okur Volkan , Oja Kaisa Teele , O’Leary Melanie , O’Heir Emily , Morel Chantal , Marchant Rhett G , Mangilog Brian E , Madden Jill A , MacArthur Daniel , Lovgren Alysia , Lerner-Ellis Jordan P , Lin Jasmine , Laing Nigel , Hildebrandt Friedhelm , Groopman Emily , Goodrich Julia , Gleeson Joseph G , Ghaoui Roula , Genetti Casie A , Gazda Hanna T , Ganesh Vijay S. , Ganapathy Mythily , Gallacher Lyndon , Fu Jack , Evangelista Emily , England Eleina , Donkervoort Sandra , DiTroia Stephanie , Cooper Sandra T , Chung Wendy K , Christodoulou John , Chao Katherine R , Cato Liam D , Bujakowska Kinga M , Bryen Samantha J , Brand Harrison , Bonnemann Carsten , Beggs Alan H , Baxter Samantha M , Agrawal Pankaj B , Talkowski Michael , Austin-Tse Chrissy , Rehm Heidi L , O’Donnell-Luria Anne 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundCausal variants underlying rare disorders may remain elusive even after expansive gene panels or exome sequencing (ES). Clinicians and researchers may then turn to genome sequencing (GS), though the added value of this technique and its optimal use remain poorly defined. We therefore investigated the advantages of GS within a phenotypically diverse cohort.MethodsGS was performed for 744 individuals with rare disease who were genetically undiagnosed. Analysis included review of single nucleotide, indel, structural, and mitochondrial variants.ResultsWe successfully solved 218/744 (29.3%) cases using GS, with most solves involving established disease genes (157/218, 72.0%). Of all solved cases, 148 (67.9%) had previously had non-diagnostic ES. We systematically evaluated the 218 causal variants for features requiring GS to identify and 61/218 (28.0%) met these criteria, representing 8.2% of the entire cohort. These included small structural variants (13), copy neutral inversions and complex rearrangements (8), tandem repeat expansions (6), deep intronic variants (15), and coding variants that may be more easily found using GS related to uniformity of coverage (19).ConclusionWe describe the diagnostic yield of GS in a large and diverse cohort, illustrating several types of pathogenic variation eluding ES or other techniques. Our results reveal a higher diagnostic yield of GS, supporting the utility of a genome-first approach, with consideration of GS as a secondary or tertiary test when higher-resolution structural variant analysis is needed or there is a strong clinical suspicion for a condition and prior targeted genetic testing has been negative.
Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of children under two years of age in Dalit community, Rajbiraj Municipality, Saptari, Nepal
Authors: Das Neha Kumari , Duwadi Nirmal , Sinha Ramchandra , Dahal Alisha 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is suboptimal in Nepal and very low in Madhesh province. Dalits are commonly recognized for experiencing economic exploitation, a lack of political representation, social marginalization, educational disadvantage, being classified as untouchables, and enduring the denial of basic human dignity and social justice.Objective of this study is to assess the proportion of mothers of children under 2 years of age, practicing exclusive breastfeeding and associated factors in the Dalit community of Rajbiraj Municipality, Saptari, Nepal.The study utilized an analytical, cross-sectional design by using a semi-structured questionnaire to 156 Dalit mothers of children under 2 years of age in Rajbiraj Municipality, Saptari, Nepal. In the bivariate analysis, which focuses on exploring the connection between independent variables and dependent variables, chi-squire statistics were utilized. Subsequently, the independent variables that displayed significance in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression.The estimated prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in the population was 43.6%. Mother’s occupation (adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 4.459; CI = 1.444 -13.767), smoking habit (AOR = 2.755; CI = 1.120 – 6.774), colostrum milk feeding (AOR = 12.472; CI = 3.253 – 47.823), number of times visit the health center for ANC (AOR = 2.333; CI = 1.040 – 5.233) were positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding, whereas, sex of the child, type of family, knowledge about breastfeeding, counselling on EBF in ANC and/or PNC visit were also associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Among the respondents who did not practice exclusive breastfeeding, the common reasons cited were trouble initiating milk flow (23.7%), insufficient breast milk production (21.7%), breast milk not satisfying the baby (20.9%), domestic work burden (12%), difficulties with infant sucking or latching (6.4%), and the baby being unable to be breastfed owing to sickness (4.8%).Maternal education, occupation, colostrum milk feeding, and antenatal care visits were identified as important influencers of exclusive breastfeeding. Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders can utilize these insights to formulate effective strategies and design intervention that encourage and support exclusive breastfeeding among Dalit mothers, ultimately improving the health and well-being of the infants of the marginalized community.
Effect of regional deprivation on mental and physical health: a longitudinal natural experiment among refugees in Germany
Authors: Biddle Louise , Bozorgmehr Kayvan 
Published: August 2023

SummaryBackgroundExisting studies on contextual health effects struggle to account for selection bias, limiting causal interpretation. We use refugee dispersal in Germany as natural experiment to study the effect of small-area deprivation on mental and physical health, while considering the potential mediating role of housing and social context.MethodsRefugees subject to dispersal (n=1400) are selected from a nation-wide longitudinal refugee study (IAB-SOEP-BAMF Panel; 2016-2018). Multi-level linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex, education, region of origin, federal state, asylum status and length of residence in Germany, are fitted to the change in mental and physical health subscales of the SF-12 depending on quintiles (Q1 – Q5) of district-level socioeconomic deprivation (German Index of Socio-Economic Deprivation, GISD). This is followed by mediation analyses (for housing and social context) and sensitivity analyses.FindingsResidency in districts with moderate-high deprivation (Q4) has a negative impact on physical health (coef·: -2·2, 95%CI: -4·1;-0·2) compared to lowest deprivation (Q1). Moderate-high deprivation (Q4) also has a positive impact on mental health, but the effect is statistically insignificant following covariate adjustment (coef·: 2·5, 95%CI: -0·7;5·6). Comparisons with other deprivation quintiles are statistically insignificant.InterpretationThe results point to gaps in health and social service provision for refugees living in the most deprived regions. Further efforts should be made to support integration of refugees into health and social systems in resource-poor regions, including improved interpreting services, specifically trained social workers and diversity-sensitive information offerings. Further research using longer timeframes and larger sample sizes are required to confirm results.FundingGerman Science Foundation (FOR: 2928/ GZ: BO5233/1-1).