bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of open dialogue about complementary and alternative medicine compared with standard care in improving quality of life in patients undergoing conventional oncology treatment (CAMONCO 2): protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Stie Mette , Delmar Charlotte , Nørgaard Birgitte , Jensen Lars Henrik 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been shown to reduce symptoms and adverse effects and improve quality of life of patients undergoing conventional oncology treatment, but CAM might also cause symptoms and adverse effects such as headache and fatigue. Thus, patients need guidance towards safe and healthy use of CAM. According to published results, open dialogue about CAM (OD-CAM) between health professionals and patients as an integral part of anticancer treatment may improve patients’ quality of life and well-being. Since the literature on the issue is sparse, the aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of OD-CAM integrated early in conventional oncology treatment versus standard care (SC) in patients undergoing standard anticancer treatment.Methods and analysisThe study is a randomised controlled trial, being conducted at an oncology outpatient clinic in Denmark. 207 patients undergoing curative or palliative oncology treatment for breast, gynaecological, prostate, pulmonary, colorectal, anal or pancreatic cancer will be randomly assigned to SC with or without OD-CAM. A nurse specialist will facilitate the OD-CAM in one or two sessions. The primary endpoint is patient reported quality of life in relation to psychological well-being 8 weeks after enrollment. Secondary endpoints are patient reported level of depression and anxiety, top concerns, and decision regret 8, 12 and 24 weeks after enrolment, and overall survival.Ethics and disseminationAccording to the Committee on Health Research Ethics for Southern Denmark, ethics approval of this study is not required (S-20202000-5, 20/1019). The Region of Southern Denmark (Journal no. 20/11100) approved the storing and handling of data. Participants’ informed consent will be obtained before inclusion and randomisation. The results of the study, whether positive, negative or inconclusive, will be disseminated through open-access, peer-reviewed publications, stake-holder-reporting and presentations at relevant conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04299451.
Experiences of physiotherapists involved in front-line management of patients with COVID-19 in Nigeria: a qualitative study
Authors: Igwesi-Chidobe Chinonso N , Anyaene Chiamaka , Akinfeleye Adegoke , Anikwe Ernest , Gosselink Rik 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesEvidence-based guidelines recommend physiotherapy for respiratory treatment and physical rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19. It is unclear to what extent physiotherapy services are used in the front-line management of COVID-19 in Nigeria. This study aimed to explore the experiences of front-line physiotherapists managing patients with COVID-19 in Nigeria.DesignQualitative interview-based study.SettingICU and hospital COVID-19 wards, COVID-isolation and treatment centres in Nigeria, between August 2020 and January 2021.ParticipantsEight out of 20 physiotherapists managing patients with COVID-19 in the front line were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling.MethodsQualitative in-depth semistructured telephone interviews of all consenting physiotherapists managing patients with COVID-19 in the front line in Nigeria were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were thematically analysed.ResultsEight front-line physiotherapists (three neurological physiotherapists, two orthopaedic physiotherapists, one cardiopulmonary physiotherapist, one sports physiotherapist and one rotational physiotherapist) provided consent and data for this study. Four themes and 13 subthemes were generated illustrating discriminatory experiences of front-line physiotherapists, particularly from COVID-19 team leads; lack of multidisciplinary teamwork within COVID-19 teams; wide ranging stigmatisation from extended family members, colleagues, friends and the general public; material and psychosocial personal losses; lack of system support and suboptimal utilisation of physiotherapy in the management of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Personal agency, sense of professionalism, previous experience managing highly infectious diseases and being a cardiopulmonary physiotherapist were the factors that made the front-line physiotherapists to become involved in managing patients with COVID-19. However, discriminatory experiences made some of these physiotherapists to stop being involved in the management of patients with COVID-19 in the front line. Most front-line physiotherapists were not cardiopulmonary physiotherapists which may have influenced their level of expertise, multidisciplinary involvement and patient outcomes.ConclusionsThere is suboptimal involvement and support for physiotherapists, particularly cardiopulmonary physiotherapists treating patients with COVID-19 in the front line in Nigeria.
Engaging Canadians in evidence-based communication about vaccines: a scoping review protocol of immunisation support programs in Canada
Authors: Kelly Katherine Jennifer , Mears Kim , Burns Margie , Montelpare William 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveTo identify, characterise and map the existing knowledge about (1) immunisation programmes that provide evidence-based support about vaccines to Canadians and reduce barriers to vaccination; and (2) barriers and facilitators to the delivery of immunisation support programmes.IntroductionVaccine hesitancy is a complex issue that has significant repercussions for the health and safety of Canadians. Engaging in evidence-based communication about vaccines can reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase participation in immunisation programmes.MethodsThe Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews will be used for this scoping review. A comprehensive keyword search strategy was developed and translated for six electronic databases on 19 November 2021: CINAHL via EBSCOhost, APA PsycINFO via EBSCOhost, Academic Search Complete via EBSCOhost, Scopus, Medline via EBSCOhost and EmCare via Ovid. We will identify unpublished literature by searching websites listed in CADTH’s Grey Matters checklist and other relevant sources in January 2022. Two independent raters will screen and extract data from identified material. Data will be presented in a tabular form.Inclusion criteriaWe will consider Canadian programmes that target the general public and exclude papers targeting health professionals. Our review will not limit by vaccine type and will consider any intervention that aims to inform individuals about immunisation. Our primary concept involves mapping the characteristics of programmes (eg, programme description, delivery format) and our secondary concept will examine barriers and facilitators to programme delivery.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required as this study is a review of the published and publicly reported literature. Findings from this review will be disseminated to academic and health system stakeholders to inform immunisation programmes across a wide range of vaccine types and settings. We intend to use the results of this review to develop an immunisation support programme in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Beyond HIV outbreaks: protocol, rationale and implementation of a prospective study quantifying the benefit of incorporating viral sequence clustering analysis into routine public health interventions
Authors: Steingrimsson Jon A , Fulton John , Howison Mark , Novitsky Vlad , Gillani Fizza S , Bertrand Thomas , Civitarese Anna , Howe Katharine , Ronquillo Guillermo , Lafazia Benjamin , Parillo Zoanne , Marak Theodore , Chan Philip A , Bhattarai Lila , Dunn Casey , Bandy Utpala , Scott Nicole Alexander , Hogan Joseph W , Kantor Rami 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionHIV continues to have great impact on millions of lives. Novel methods are needed to disrupt HIV transmission networks. In the USA, public health departments routinely conduct contact tracing and partner services and interview newly HIV-diagnosed index cases to obtain information on social networks and guide prevention interventions. Sequence clustering methods able to infer HIV networks have been used to investigate and halt outbreaks. Incorporation of such methods into routine, not only outbreak-driven, contact tracing and partner services holds promise for further disruption of HIV transmissions.Methods and analysisBuilding on a strong academic–public health collaboration in Rhode Island, we designed and have implemented a state-wide prospective study to evaluate an intervention that incorporates real-time HIV molecular clustering information with routine contact tracing and partner services. We present the rationale and study design of our approach to integrate sequence clustering methods into routine public health interventions as well as related important ethical considerations. This prospective study addresses key questions about the benefit of incorporating a clustering analysis triggered intervention into the routine workflow of public health departments, going beyond outbreak-only circumstances. By developing an intervention triggered by, and incorporating information from, viral sequence clustering analysis, and evaluating it with a novel design that avoids randomisation while allowing for methods comparison, we are confident that this study will inform how viral sequence clustering analysis can be routinely integrated into public health to support the ending of the HIV pandemic in the USA and beyond.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by both the Lifespan and Rhode Island Department of Health Human Subjects Research Institutional Review Boards and study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
Characteristics of registered and published systematic reviews focusing on the prevention of COVID-19: a meta-research study
Authors: Nothacker Julia , Stadelmaier Julia , Siemens Waldemar , Meerpohl Joerg J , Schmucker Christine 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveWe investigated characteristics of systematic reviews (SRs) assessing measures to prevent COVID-19 by (1) identifying SR registrations in Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), (2) identifying published SRs in COVID-19 Living Overview of the Evidence (L-OVE) and (3) estimating the proportion of PROSPERO registrations published as full SR between 8 and 16 months after registration.Study designThis meta-research study is part of the German CEOsys project, www.covid-evidenz.de. We searched PROSPERO entries registered between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2020, and we searched COVID-19 L-OVE for published SRs (search date: 5 May 2021) focusing on measures to prevent COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The two samples were screened for eligibility and key characteristics were extracted and summarised.ResultsOf 612 PROSPERO registrations, 47 focused on prevention and were included. The preventive measures included public health interventions (20), followed by personal protective equipment (10), vaccinations (9) and others (8). In total, 13 of 47 (28%) PROSPERO registrations had been published as full SR (as preprint only (6), as peer-reviewed article only (6), as preprint and peer-reviewed article (1)). Median time between PROSPERO registration and publication was 5 months for peer-reviewed SRs and 2 months for preprints.Of the 2182 entries identified in COVID-19 L-OVE, 51 published SRs focused on prevention and were included. Similar to the PROSPERO sample, most published SRs focused on public health interventions (21). The number of included primary studies ranged between 0 and 64 (median: 7). Nine published SRs did not include any studies because of a lack of primary studies.ConclusionConsidering the urgent information needs of policymakers and the public, our findings reveal the high-speed publication of preprints and lack of primary studies in the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Further meta-research on COVID-19 SRs is important to improve research efficiency among researchers across the world.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021240423.
Reasons for acceptance and refusal of early palliative care in patients included in early-phase clinical trials in a regional comprehensive cancer centre in France: protocol for a qualitative study
Authors: Chvetzoff Gisele , Girodet Magali , Despax Johanna , Baudry Valentine , Duranti Julie , Mastroianni Bénédicte , Vanacker Hélène , Vinceneux Armelle , Brahmi Mehdi , Renard Olivier , Gautier Julien , Britel Manon , Ducimetière Françoise , Anota Amélie , Cassier Philippe , Christophe Véronique 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionA few studies have highlighted the potential synergy between early palliative care and inclusion in an early-phase clinical trial that may improve quality of life, reduce symptoms of exhaustion related to the side effects of treatment and allow patients to complete their treatment protocol. The primary objective of this qualitative study is to evaluate the reasons for acceptance or refusal of early palliative care in patients included in early-phase clinical trials.Method and analysisAll patients from the Centre Léon Bérard (Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Lyon, France) who consent to one of the early-phase clinical trials proposed at the centre will be invited to participate in this study. The cohort will consist of a subgroup (n=20) of patients who accept palliative care together with their clinical trial, and a second subgroup (n=20) of patients who decline it. Patients will be interviewed in exploratory interviews conducted by a psychology researcher before the start of their clinical trial. The interviews will be audio-recorded. Patients will also be asked to complete quality of life and anxiety/depression questionnaires both before the beginning of the treatment and at the end of their clinical trial. The content of the interviews will be analysed thematically. Descriptive and comparative statistical analysis of both cohorts will also be conducted.Ethics and disseminationPersonal data will be collected and processed in accordance with the laws and regulations in force. All patients will give informed consent to participate. This study complies with reference methodology MR004 of the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés. The protocol has received the validation of an ethics committee (Groupe de Réflexion Ethique du CLB, number: 2020-006). The results will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberNCT04717440.
Demographic characteristics and ocular needs of children attending child eye clinics in Cross River State, Nigeria: a retrospective analysis of clinical records
Authors: Yong Ai Chee , Ebri Anne Effiom , O’Connor Sara E , O’Donovan Diarmuid , Congdon Nathan , Graham Christine , Lohfeld Lynne , O'Neill Ciaran , Chan Ving Fai 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesTo describe the demographic characteristics and ocular needs of children attending four child eye clinics in Cross River State, Nigeria, to inform the development of a sustainable spectacle cross-subsidisation scheme.DesignRetrospective analysis of clinic records.SettingFour child eye clinics in Calabar, Ogoja, Ikom and Ugep, Cross River State, Nigeria, from 1 May 2017 to 30 June 2019.ParticipantsChildren who failed the vision screening in schools and visited assigned child eye clinics, and self-referred children from the community.Main outcome measuresChildren’s age, sex, residence, diagnosis, disease management, presenting and corrected visual acuity, history of spectacle wear and magnitude of refractive errors in spherical equivalent in the worse eye.ResultsOf all the 3799 records reviewed, data were available for 3774 children (mean age 10.6±4.35 years; 61.6% girls; 69.1% from urban settings); 30.8% (n=1162) of them had vision impairment. Of those children, 71.2% (n=827) were diagnosed with refractive error. For management, 48.6% (n=1833) were prescribed spectacles and 40.5% (n=1527) were prescribed ocular medications. Children prescribed spectacles were significantly more likely to be girls (68.0%, p<0.001), and older than 13 years of age (53.6%, p<0.001). The most common range of spherical equivalent (in the worse eye) was <−0.50 DS to +1.75 DS (51.6%, n=945), followed by >−0.25 DS to −3.00DS (39.7%, n=727). Non-refractive eye conditions such as cataract (33.3%) and corneal disorders (14.1%) contributed to almost half of the total blindness.ConclusionThe findings show that spectacles provisions and ocular medications are the primary and secondary needs for children who attended child eye clinics seeking eye care services. Further research is needed to understand parents’ willingness to pay for spectacles to set strategic multitier pricing for a sustainable cross-subsidisation scheme.
Negotiating agency and belonging during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic: an interview study among older adults in England, UK
Authors: Wenning Brianne , Polidano Kay , Mallen Christian , Dikomitis Lisa 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the agency of older adults and their strategies to restructure ways of being and belonging in a rapidly and radically changed social environment during the UK’s first COVID-19 lockdown in Spring 2020.DesignQualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews. Findings were derived from a thematic analysis of interview transcripts. We also established a patient and public involvement and engagement group who advised on study design, interview topic guide and interpretation of findings.SettingInterviews were conducted online with older adults in the UK through their platform of choice in Spring 2020 in England, UK.ParticipantsWe conducted 28 interviews (16 women, 12 men) with older adults over the age of 70 years. Our participants were mostly white, middle class adults.ResultsFrom the data, we constructed three strategies that older adults used to employ agency and create spaces of belonging in their social networks despite lockdown restrictions. First, participants created a sense of belonging by being ‘good’ members of society who were knowledgeable about COVID-19. Second, older adults created new ways to socially engage with the wider community. Finally, older adults actively restructured social networks to preserve a sense of belonging.ConclusionsOlder adults are actively and creatively carving a space of belonging during the societal upheaval in response to the COVID-19 lockdown and public health restrictions. Rather than internalising potential exclusionary messages based on their age, older adults instead used their agency to reimagine and transform spheres of belonging.
Personalised immunotherapy in sepsis: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Slim Marleen A , van Mourik Niels , Dionne Joanna C , Oczkowski Simon J W , Netea M G , Pickkers Peter , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J , Müller Marcella C A , van der Poll Tom , Wiersinga W Joost , Vlaar Alexander P J , van Vught Lonneke A 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionSepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction syndrome occurring in the context of severe infections, remains a major burden on global health with high morbidity and high mortality rates. Despite recent advances in the understanding of its pathophysiology, the treatment of sepsis remains supportive of nature with few interventions specifically designed for treating this complex syndrome. The focus of sepsis trials has increasingly shifted towards targeting excessive inflammation and immunosuppression using immunomodulatory agents. However, it remains uncertain how to identify patients that could benefit from such treatment, whether treatments can be tailored to an individual’s immune profile, or at which stage of the disease the intervention should be initiated. In this scoping review, we provide a comprehensive overview of current available literature on immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive therapies against sepsis.Methods and analysisThe aim of this scoping review is to describe and summarise current literature evaluating immunotherapy in adult patients with sepsis. The review will be performed using the framework formulated by Arksey and O’Malley. A comprehensive literature and study collection will be executed by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify clinical trials and cohort studies concerning immunotherapy in adult patients with sepsis. Screening will be performed independently and in duplicate by two reviewers who will also independently extract data into prespecified spreadsheets. We will summarise evidence in tabular format with descriptive statistics. The reported evidence will convey knowledge on the types of immunotherapies studied, and currently being studied, in adult patients with sepsis.Ethics and disseminationApproval from a medical ethics committee is not required. Once completed, the review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. These results will be of value to clinicians and researchers with an interest in advancing sepsis care.
Therapies for Long COVID in non-hospitalised individuals: from symptoms, patient-reported outcomes and immunology to targeted therapies (The TLC Study)
Authors: Haroon Shamil , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Hughes Sarah E , Subramanian Anuradhaa , Aiyegbusi Olalekan Lee , Davies Elin Haf , Myles Puja , Williams Tim , Turner Grace , Chandan Joht Singh , McMullan Christel , Lord Janet , Wraith David C , McGee Kirsty , Denniston Alastair K , Taverner Thomas , Jackson Louise J , Sapey Elizabeth , Gkoutos George , Gokhale Krishna , Leggett Edward , Iles Clare , Frost Christopher , McNamara Gary , Bamford Amy , Marshall Tom , Zemedikun Dawit T , Price Gary , Marwaha Steven , Simms-Williams Nikita , Brown Kirsty , Walker Anita , Jones Karen , Matthews Karen , Camaradou Jennifer , Saint-Cricq Michael , Kumar Sumita , Alder Yvonne , Stanton David E , Agyen Lisa , Baber Megan , Blaize Hannah , Calvert Melanie 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionIndividuals with COVID-19 frequently experience symptoms and impaired quality of life beyond 4–12 weeks, commonly referred to as Long COVID. Whether Long COVID is one or several distinct syndromes is unknown. Establishing the evidence base for appropriate therapies is needed. We aim to evaluate the symptom burden and underlying pathophysiology of Long COVID syndromes in non-hospitalised individuals and evaluate potential therapies.Methods and analysisA cohort of 4000 non-hospitalised individuals with a past COVID-19 diagnosis and 1000 matched controls will be selected from anonymised primary care records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, and invited by their general practitioners to participate on a digital platform (Atom5). Individuals will report symptoms, quality of life, work capability and patient-reported outcome measures. Data will be collected monthly for 1 year.Statistical clustering methods will be used to identify distinct Long COVID-19 symptom clusters. Individuals from the four most prevalent clusters and two control groups will be invited to participate in the BioWear substudy which will further phenotype Long COVID symptom clusters by measurement of immunological parameters and actigraphy.We will review existing evidence on interventions for postviral syndromes and Long COVID to map and prioritise interventions for each newly characterised Long COVID syndrome. Recommendations will be made using the cumulative evidence in an expert consensus workshop. A virtual supportive intervention will be coproduced with patients and health service providers for future evaluation.Individuals with lived experience of Long COVID will be involved throughout this programme through a patient and public involvement group.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the Solihull Research Ethics Committee, West Midlands (21/WM/0203). Research findings will be presented at international conferences, in peer-reviewed journals, to Long COVID patient support groups and to policymakers.Trial registration number1567490.