bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the effectiveness of vitamin B12 complex and alpha-lipoic acid as a treatment for diabetes mellitus/neuropathy: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Lekhanya Portia Keabetswe , Mokgalaboni Kabelo 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionDiabetic neuropathy (DN) is common in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. This often causes peripheral nerve damage. For many years vitamin B12 and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) have been regarded as components that can be used in reducing markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. In this study, we will explore the effectiveness of vitamin B12 and ALA as a possible treatment for diabetic mellitus/neuropathy, emphasising markers of inflammation, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocol (PRISMA-P). The search strategies and information sources for the literature will be PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Science direct. The literature search will include studies published from inception until 30 June 2022. All included studies will be evaluated for quality and risk of bias according to the Cochrane guidelines. To investigate the stability of the results, we will conduct a sensitivity analysis of the outcomes. All data analysis will be performed using Review Manager V.5. 4.Ethical and disseminationThis systematic review and meta-analysis will not require ethical approval from an institution committee as it does not have direct participants. We will obtain all our data from previous studies. The findings will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local and international seminars and conferences.
Quality and performance indicators in Portuguese anatomical pathology laboratories: a panel validation by qualitative Delphi technique
Authors: Paulino Ana , Pedro Ana Rita , Roque Ruben , Dias Sónia 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundIn laboratory medicine, quality and performance indicators (QPIs) are essential tools to ensure the quality of healthcare services and patient safety. QPIs allow comparison of outcomes, favouring accountability and transparency. Internationally, there are some QPI evaluation models, but the fact that they are paid limits their dissemination in smaller/poorer laboratories. In Portugal, each laboratory defines its own QPIs, with no uniformity between institutions. The development of a free QPI panel suitable for anatomical pathology laboratories (APLs) would allow for quality assessment and improvement.ObjectiveTo develop a consensual and validated QPI panel suitable for Portuguese APLs.MethodsThe study was developed in two stages. First, a bibliographic review was carried out, selecting the adequate QPIs. Afterwards, these QPIs were evaluated by experts through the Delphi method, where they could also suggest other pertinent QPIs.ResultsBy the end of the Delphi method, there was a consensus on 64 QPIs (31 for ‘structure’, 30 for ‘process’ and 3 for ‘result’). The consensual QPIs covered all phases of the total test cycle. The lack of specific anatomical pathology QPIs in the bibliography was noticeable. There was greater consensus on ‘process’ and ‘result’ QPIs than on ‘structure’. This was supported by the bibliography, where the first ones were more valued. Nevertheless, it is important to monitor all the main laboratory processes, prioritising the evaluation of QPIs with greater impact on healthcare quality and patient safety. These results should allow APLs to identify the causes behind poor performance and improve their services.ConclusionsThis panel is a valuable tool for APLs, contributing to quality awareness. It can be the first step towards the development of a free benchmarking quality programme in Portugal, encouraging competitiveness and cost-efficiency.
Clinical incidents in the emergency department: is there an association with emergency nursing shift patterns? A retrospective observational study
Authors: Roberts Kym , Thom Ogilvie , Hocking Julia , Bernard Anne , Doyle Tammy 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionClinical incident (CI) management within healthcare settings is a crucial component of patient safety and quality improvement. The complex environment in the emergency department (ED) and nursing work schedules are important aspects of human factor ergonomic (HFE) systems that requires closer examination. Nursing shifts are closely related to fatigue, including the late/early shift pattern and night shift. All nursing shifts were examined over a 1-year period when a CI occurred to a patient in the ED to identify if there was an association.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study, conducted and reported using the Strengthening of the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement. All CIs reported in the ED over a 1-year period were reviewed by accessing the CI database, emergency department information system and patient health records. The nursing roster database was accessed to record nursing shifts and were de-identified.ResultsA total of n=244 CIs were eligible for inclusion into the study. ED nursing shift analysis included n=1095 nursing shifts. An analysis of early, late and night shifts, including days not worked by the ED nurse was conducted over a 48-hour and 96-hour period. There was no significant relationship identified between the CI and nursing shift patterns. ED length of stay (LOS) was significantly higher for a patient presentation when a CI occurred.ConclusionThis study focused on the HFE system of nursing work schedules and CI events that occurred in the ED. This study found there was no relationship between emergency nursing shift patterns and an increased risk for the occurrence of a CI in the ED. Although a strong link was found between patients experiencing a CI in the ED and an extended LOS. This demonstrates the need for studies to investigate the interrelationships of multiple HFE systems in the ED, including the environment, patient, clinical team and organisational factors.
Development and assessment of an educational intervention to improve the recognition of frailty on an acute care respiratory ward
Authors: Leblanc Aaron , Diab Nermin , Backman Chantal , Huang Shirley , Pulfer Tammy , Chin Melanie , Kobewka Daniel M , McIsaac Daniel I , Lawson Julie , Forster Alan J , Mulpuru Sunita 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundFrailty is a robust predictor of poor outcomes among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease yet is not measured in routine practice. We determined barriers and facilitators to measuring frailty in a hospital setting, designed and implemented a frailty-focused education intervention, and measured accuracy of frailty screening before and after education.MethodsWe conducted a pilot cross-sectional mixed-methods study on an inpatient respiratory ward over 6 months. We recruited registered nurses (RNs) with experience using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). RNs evaluated 10 clinical vignettes and assigned a frailty score using the CFS. A structured frailty-focused education intervention was delivered to small groups. RNs reassigned frailty scores to vignettes 1 week after education. Outcomes included barriers and facilitators to assessing frailty in hospital, and percent agreement of CFS scores between RNs and a gold standard (determined by geriatricians) before and after education.ResultsAmong 26 RNs, the median (IQR) duration of experience using the CFS was 1.5 (1–4) months. Barriers to assessing frailty included the lack of clinical directives to measure frailty and large acute workloads. Having collateral history from family members was the strongest perceived facilitator for frailty assessment. The median (IQR) percent agreement with the gold-standard frailty score across all cases was 55.8% (47.2%–60.6%) prior to the educational intervention, and 57.2% (44.1%–70.2%) afterwards. The largest increase in agreement occurred in the ‘mildly frail’ category, 65.4%–81% agreement.ConclusionsBarriers to assessing frailty in the hospital setting are external to the measurement tool itself. Accuracy of frailty assessment among acute care RNs was low, and frailty-focused rater training may improve accuracy. Subsequent work should focus on health system approaches to empower health providers to assess frailty, and on testing the effectiveness of frailty-focused education in large real-world settings.
The ‘miracle cure’: how do primary care physicians prescribe physical activity with the aim of improving clinical outcomes of chronic disease? A scoping review
Authors: Thornton Jane , Nagpal Taniya , Reilly Kristen , Stewart Moira , Petrella Robert 
Published: August 2022

ObjectivesTo identify how primary care physicians (PCPs) prescribe physical activity for patients with chronic disease, and to determine characteristics of physical activity interventions with improved clinical outcomes of chronic disease.DesignA scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews 2018 was completed.Data sourcesFour bibliographic databases (Medline, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL) and four grey literature/unpublished databases (Proquest, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Canadian Health Research Collections, Clinical Trials) were searched from inception to 7 March 2022.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies involving PCP-delivered physical activity prescriptions or counselling for participants with a chronic disease or mental health condition, which reported clinical outcomes were included. Opinion papers, news and magazine articles and case reports were excluded, as were studies in which a physical activity intervention was provided for primary prevention of chronic disease, prescribed by healthcare providers or researchers other than PCPs, or for healthy participants without chronic disease.ResultsAn initial search identified 4992 records. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Characteristics of physical activity prescriptions that improved clinical outcomes included: personalised advice; brief intervention; behavioural supports (handouts and/or referrals) and physician follow-up. Reported adverse events were rare. Research gaps include optimal timing and length of follow-up, and the long-term and cost-effectiveness of interventions.Summary/ConclusionSeveral characteristics of physical activity counselling by PCPs for patients with chronic disease may improve clinical outcomes, although research gaps remain. Studies exploring the effectiveness of physical activity prescription for individuals with chronic conditions are urgently needed.
Efficacy of comprehensive cognitive health management for Shanghai community older adults with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Qiu Jiayuan , Zhao Lu , Xiao Shifu , Zhang Shaowei , Li Ling , Nie Jing , Bai Li , Qian Shixing , Yang Yang , Phillips Michael , Sheng Meiqing , Fang Yuan , Li Xia 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundThe management of modifiable risk factors and comorbidities may impact the future trajectory of cognitive impairment, but easy-to-implement management methods are lacking.AimsThis study investigated the effects of simple but comprehensive cognitive health management practices on the cognitive function of older adults in the community with normal cognition (NC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsThe comprehensive cognitive health management programme included a psychiatric assessment of the cognitive risk factors for those in the intervention groups and individualised recommendations for reducing the risks through self-management supported by regular medical professional follow-up. The intervention groups for this study included 84 elderly participants with NC and 43 elderly participants with MCI who received comprehensive cognitive health management. The control groups included 84 elderly participants with NC and 43 elderly participants with MCI who matched the intervention group’s general characteristics and scale scores using the propensity matching score analysis. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores were compared after a 1-year follow-up.ResultsFor older adults with MCI in the intervention group, MoCA scores were higher at the 1-year follow-up than at baseline (24.07 (3.674) vs 22.21 (3.052), p=0.002). For the MoCA subscales, the intervention group’s abstract and delayed memory scores had significantly increased during the 1-year follow-up. Furthermore, in a generalised linear mixed model analysis, the interaction effect of group×follow-up was statistically significant for the MCI group (F=6.61, p=0.011; coefficients=5.83).ConclusionsAfter the comprehensive cognitive health management intervention, the older adults with MCI in the community showed improvement at the 1-year follow-up. This preliminary study was the first to demonstrate an easy-to-implement strategy for modifying the cognitive risk factors of elderly individuals with MCI in the community, providing new insight into early-stage intervention for dementia.
Generation of evidence supporting the content validity of SF-36, FACIT-F, and LupusQoL, and novel patient-reported symptom items for use in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and SLE with lupus nephritis (LN)
Authors: Williams-Hall Rebecca , Berry Pamela , Williamson Nicola , Barclay Melissa , Roberts Anna , Gater Adam , Tolley Chloe , Bradley Helena , Ward Amy , Hsia Elizabeth , Zuraw Qing , DeLong Patricia , Touma Zahi , Strand Vibeke 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveSLE and lupus nephritis (LN) have significant impacts on the health-related quality of life of patients living with the condition, which are important to capture from the patient’s perspective using patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the content validity of PROs commonly used in SLE and LN (36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F) and Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), as well as novel PRO symptom severity items measuring skin rash, joint pain, joint stiffness and swelling of the legs and/or feet, in both populations.MethodsQualitative, semi-structured, cognitive interviews were conducted with 48 participants (SLE=28, LN=20). Understanding and relevance of symptom and impact PRO concepts from existing PROs were assessed, alongside novel PRO symptom severity items with different recall periods (24 hours vs 7 days) and response scales (Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) vs Verbal Rating Scale). Interviews were conducted in multiple rounds to allow for modifications to the novel PRO items. Analysis of verbatim interview transcripts was performed.ResultsSymptom and impact concepts assessed by the SF-36, FACIT-F, and LupusQoL were well understood by both participants with SLE and LN (≥90.0%), with most considered relevant by over half of the participants asked (≥51.9%). All participants asked (100%) understood the novel PRO symptom severity items, and the majority (≥90.0%) considered the symptoms relevant. Minor modifications to the novel PRO items were made between rounds to improve clarity based on participant feedback. The selected 7-day recall period and NRS in the final iteration of the PRO items were understood and relevant. No differences in interview findings between the SLE and LN samples were identified.ConclusionsFindings provide evidence of content validity for concepts assessed by the SF-36, FACIT-F, LupusQoL and the novel PRO symptom severity items, supporting use of these PROs to comprehensively assess disease impact in future SLE and LN clinical trials.
SIGLOG monthly 227
Authors: Purser David 
Published: August 2022

This event will be conducted in hybrid mode: in person in Paris (organizers' preferred choice) and virtually. Registration is mandatory for both modes (please find the corresponding links here: https://learnaut22.github.io/registration.html)
It is our pleasure to inform you about LearnAut 2022, the fourth edition of the workshop, this time co-located with ICALP.
Long-run Trends in the U.S. SES—Achievement
Gap
Authors: Hanushek Eric A. , Light Jacob D. , Peterson Paul E. , Talpey Laura M. , Woessmann Ludger 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Rising inequality in the United States has raised concerns about potentially widening gaps in educational achievement by socioeconomic status (SES). Using assessments from LTT-NAEP, Main-NAEP, TIMSS, and PISA that are psychometrically linked over time, we trace trends in SES gaps in achievement for U.S. student cohorts born between 1961 and 2001. Gaps in math, reading, and science achievement between the top and bottom quartiles of the SES distribution have closed by 0.05 standard deviation per decade over this period. The findings are consistent across alternative measures of SES and subsets of available tests and hold in more recent periods. At the current pace of closure, the achievement gap would not be eliminated until the second half of the 22nd century.
Visualizing academic descendants using modified Pavlo diagrams: Results based on five researchers in biomechanics and biomedicine
Authors: Lievers W. Brent 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Visualizing the academic descendants of prolific researchers is a challenging problem. To this end, a modified Pavlo algorithm is presented and its utility is demonstrated based on manually collected academic genealogies of five researchers in biomechanics and biomedicine. The researchers have 15–32 children each and between 93 and 384 total descendants. The graphs generated by the modified algorithm were over 97% smaller than the original. Mentorship metrics were also calculated; their hm-indices are 5–7 and the gm-indices are in the range 7–13. Of the 1,096 unique researchers across the five family trees, 153 (14%) had graduated their own PhD students by the end of 2021. It took an average of 9.6 years after their own graduation for an advisor to graduate their first PhD student, which suggests that an academic generation in this field is approximately one decade. The manually collected data sets used were also compared against the crowd-sourced academic genealogy data from the AcademicTree.org website. The latter included only 45% of the people and 34% of the connections, so this limitation must be considered when using it for analyses where completeness is required. The data sets and an implementation of the algorithm are available for reuse.
Predatory Politics and the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Policy in Zimbabwe’s Mining Sector
Authors: Nkala Sizo 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This paper explores the unfolding of Zimbabwe’s indigenisation policy in the country’s mining sector from the early 1990s to 2018. Informed by interviews, government reports, newspaper articles and online material, the article examines the attempts to indigenise some of the country’s biggest mining concerns, like the platinum giants Mimosa, Zimplats and Unki platinum, which are all owned by multinationals. It also delves deeper into the indigenisation efforts by other mining giants, like Metallon Gold, Duration Gold, Freda Rebecca and RioZim. In the chrome sector it recounts the experiences of ZimAlloys and Zimasco. An examination of the indigenisation process in these mining concerns revealed how the policy was turned into a political elite accumulation spree. The ruling party heavyweights, members of the military and politically connected individuals frequently turned up as part of various indigenous consortia assembled to acquire shares in the mining companies as part of the indigenisation policy.
Non-Indigenous privilege in health, justice and social services preceding first episode psychosis: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Manuel Jenni , Cunningham Ruth , Gibb Sheree , Petrović-van der Deen Frederieke S , Porter Richard J , Pitama Suzanne , Crowe Marie , Crengle Sue , Carr Gawen , Lacey Cameron 
Published: August 2022

Background: There is evidence of disparities between non-Indigenous and Indigenous incidence of psychotic disorders. Despite these disparities being a clear signpost of the impact of structural racism, there remains a lack of evidence to target institutional factors. We aimed to investigate non-Indigenous and Indigenous differences in government service use prior to first episode diagnosis as a means of identifying points of intervention to improve institutional responses. Methods: We used a previously established national New Zealand cohort of 2385 13 to 25-year-old youth diagnosed with psychosis between 2009 and 2012 and a linked database of individual-level multiple government agency administration data, to investigate the differences in health, education, employment, child protection and criminal-justice service use between non-Indigenous (60%) and Indigenous youth (40%) in the year preceding first episode diagnosis. Further comparisons were made with the general population. Results: A high rate of health service contact did not differ between non-Indigenous and Indigenous youth (adjusted rate ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval [0.9, 1.1]). Non-Indigenous youth had higher rates of educational enrolment (adjusted rate ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval [1.1, 1.3]) and employment (adjusted rate ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval [1.1, 1.3]) and were 40% less likely to have contact with child protection services (adjusted rate ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval [0.5, 0.8]) and the criminal-justice system (adjusted rate ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval [0.5, 0.7]). Both first episode cohorts had a higher risk of criminal justice contact compared to the general population, but the difference was greater for non-Indigenous youth (risk ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval [2.7, 3.4] vs risk ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval [1.8, 2.2]), explained by the lower background risk. Interpretation: The results indicate non-Indigenous privilege in multiple sectors prior to first episode diagnosis. Indigenous-based social disparities prior to first episode psychosis are likely to cause further inequities in recovery and will require a response of health, education, employment, justice and political systems.