bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Time trends in social contacts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: the CONNECT study
Authors: Drolet Mélanie , Godbout Aurélie , Mondor Myrto , Béraud Guillaume , Drolet-Roy Léa , Lemieux-Mellouki Philippe , Bureau Alexandre , Demers Éric , Boily Marie-Claude , Sauvageau Chantal , De Serres Gaston , Hens Niel , Beutels Philippe , Dervaux Benoit , Brisson Marc 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries, including Canada, have adopted unprecedented physical distancing measures such as closure of schools and non-essential businesses, and restrictions on gatherings and household visits. We described time trends in social contacts for the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in Quebec, Canada.

Methods
CONNECT is a population-based study of social contacts conducted shortly before (2018/2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 – February 2021), using the same methodology for both periods. We recruited participants by random digit dialing and collected data by self-administered web-based questionnaires. Questionnaires documented socio-demographic characteristics and social contacts for two assigned days. A contact was defined as a two-way conversation at a distance ≤ 2 m or as a physical contact, irrespective of masking. We used weighted generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution and robust variance (taking possible overdispersion into account) to compare the mean number of social contacts over time and by socio-demographic characteristics.

Results
A total of 1291 and 5516 Quebecers completed the study before and during the pandemic, respectively. Contacts significantly decreased from a mean of 8 contacts/day prior to the pandemic to 3 contacts/day during the spring 2020 lockdown. Contacts remained lower than the pre-COVID period thereafter (lowest = 3 contacts/day during the Christmas 2020/2021 holidays, highest = 5 in September 2020). Contacts at work, during leisure activities/in other locations, and at home with visitors showed the greatest decreases since the beginning of the pandemic. All sociodemographic subgroups showed significant decreases of contacts since the beginning of the pandemic. The mixing matrices illustrated the impact of public health measures (e.g. school closure, gathering restrictions) with fewer contacts between children/teenagers and fewer contacts outside of the three main diagonals of contacts between same-age partners/siblings and between children and their parents.

Conclusion
Physical distancing measures in Quebec significantly decreased social contacts, which most likely mitigated the spread of COVID-19.
Empathy and burnout in medical staff: mediating role of job satisfaction and job commitment
Authors: Yue Zongpu , Qin Yang , Li Ying , Wang Jian , Nicholas Stephen , Maitland Elizabeth , Liu Cai 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Burnout is a growing problem among medical staff worldwide and empathy has been described as an essential competence to attenuate burnout. Previous studies found job satisfaction and job commitment were affected by the empathy and associated with burnout. This study explores the effect and mechanism of empathy on burnout on medical staff and investigates the mediating role of job satisfaction and job commitment in the relationship between empathy and burnout among medical staff.

Methods
Based on a self-administered questionnaire which included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure burnout, 335 responses from medical staff in Tianjin City, China, yielded data on socio-demographic characteristics, empathy, burnout, job satisfaction and job commitment. Bivariate correlation and structured equation modeling (SEM) analyzed the relationships between empathy, job satisfaction, job commitment and burnout multi-group invariant analysis was used to evaluate whether the model was consistent across different type and level of hospitals and different job and employment type subgroups.

Results
A total of 202 (60.3%) medical staff had low level burnout, 115 (34.3%) staff had the moderate level and 18 (5.4%) staff had the high level burnout. The results of the SEM showed that empathy not only had a direct negative effect on burnout ($$\beta =-0.401, P<0.001)$$

β
=
-
0.401
,
P
<
0.001
)

, but also had an indirect impact through job satisfaction ($$\beta =-0.373, P<0.001)$$

β
=
-
0.373
,
P
<
0.001
)

and job commitment ($$\beta =0.489, P<0.001)$$

β
=
0.489
,
P
<
0.001
)

. Job commitment was negatively associated burnout ($$\beta =-0.513, P<0.001),$$

β
=
-
0.513
,
P
<
0.001
)
,

but, unexpectedly, job satisfaction was positively associated with burnout ($$\beta =0.177, P<0.001)$$

β
=
0.177
,
P
<
0.001
)

. The results also indicated the model was consistent across employment type ($$\Delta {\chi }^{2}$$

Δ

χ

2

= 5.904, p > 0.05) and hospital type ($$\Delta {\chi }^{2}$$

Δ

χ

2

= 7.748, p > 0.05), but was inconsistent across hospital level ($$\Delta {\chi }^{2}$$

Δ

χ

2

= 42.930, p < 0.05) and job type ($$\Delta {\chi }^{2}$$

Δ

χ

2

= 52.912, p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Our results pointed out the important role that empathy plays in addressing burnout and revealed that managing job satisfaction and increasing the job commitment attenuated burnout. We recommend that the government should accelerate the reform of the resourcing of different hospital levels; facilitate hospital managers to implement additional training; and support hospitals to strengthen psychological testing and counseling to reduce medical staff burnout.
Serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio is a surrogate marker for sarcopenia in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Fujita Kohei , Ohkubo Hirotsugu , Nakano Akiko , Takeda Norihisa , Fukumitsu Kensuke , Fukuda Satoshi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiro , Uemura Takehiro , Tajiri Tomoko , Maeno Ken , Ito Yutaka , Oguri Tetsuya , Ozawa Yoshiyuki , Murase Takayuki , Niimi Akio 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The serum creatinine/cystatin C (Cr/CysC) ratio has attracted attention as a marker for sarcopenia, but has not been studied in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to confirm the utility of the serum Cr/CysC ratio in predicting sarcopenia and investigate its clinical relevance.

Methods
This cross-sectional pilot study prospectively enrolled patients with stable IPF. IPF was diagnosed through multidisciplinary discussions according to the 2018 international guidelines, and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 consensus report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were evaluated using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT), and King’s Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (K-BILD) questionnaire. The associations between serum Cr/CysC ratio and the presence of sarcopenia and other clinical parameters, including PROs scores, were examined.

Results
The study enrolled 49 Japanese patients with IPF with a mean age of 73.0 ± 7.7 years and a mean percentage of predicted forced vital capacity of 80.4 ± 15.5%. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 18 patients (36.7%), and the serum Cr/CysC ratio was 0.86 [0.76–0.94] (median [interquartile range]). The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for the detection of sarcopenia according to the serum Cr/CysC showed that the area under the curve, optimal cutoff value, specificity, and sensitivity were 0.85, 0.88, 0.65, and 0.94, respectively. Sarcopenia was identified in 13% of patients with a high serum Cr/CysC ratio (≥ 0.88) and 60% of patients with a low serum Cr/CysC ratio (< 0.88) (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the serum Cr/CysC ratio was an independent predictive marker of worse PROs evaluated using mMRC (P < 0.05), CAT (P < 0.05), and K-BILD (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
This study showed that the serum Cr/CysC ratio may be a surrogate marker of sarcopenia in patients with IPF. Furthermore, it is important to pay attention to the serum Cr/CysC ratio because a lower serum Cr/CysC ratio is associated with worse PROs. Further studies are required to validate these observations to determine whether the Cr/CysC ratio can be used to detect sarcopenia in patients with IPF.
The effectiveness of weight loss programs for low back pain: a systematic review
Authors: Chen Lu Hsi , Weber Kirsten , Mehrabkhani Saba , Baskaran Sarmina , Abbass Thomas , Macedo Luciana Gazzi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Low back pain has been associated with obesity or with being overweight. However, there are no high-quality systematic reviews that have been conducted on the effect of all types of weight loss programs focused on individuals with low back pain. Therefore, the present systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of weight loss programs in reducing back pain and disability or increasing quality of life for individuals experiencing low back pain.

Materials and methods
Searches for relevant studies were conducted on CINAHL, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase and AMED. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials, non-randomized studies of intervention or quasi-experimental designs evaluating a weight loss program for persons with low back pain aimed at decreasing back pain and disability. The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool was used to evaluate individual studies and GRADE was used to summarize the quality of the evidence. The review was prospectively registered; PROSPERO#: CRD42020196099.

Results
Eleven studies (n = 689 participants) including one randomized controlled trial, two non-randomized studies of intervention and eight single-arm studies were included (seven of which evaluated bariatric surgery). There was low-quality evidence that a lifestyle intervention was no better than waitlist for improving back pain and very low-quality evidence from single-arm studies that back pain improved from baseline after bariatric surgery. Most studies included were of poor quality, primarily due to selection bias, uncontrolled confounders, and lack of blinding, limiting the quality of evidence.

Conclusion
There is very low-quality evidence that weight loss programs may improve back pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with LBP, although adherence and maintenance are potential barriers to implementation.
Effects of an integrated supportive program on xerostomia and saliva characteristics in patients with head and neck cancer radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jiang Nan , Zhao Yue , Stensson Malin , Mårtensson Jan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Xerostomia and changes in saliva characteristics are common side-effects in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy, which negatively impact their oral health. However, there are no consensus standards for intervention to manage these problems. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an integrated supportive program on xerostomia and saliva characteristics at a 1-year follow-up of patients with HNC radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands.

Methods
The CONSORT guidelines for a randomized controlled trial were used. Participants with a low overall dose to major salivary glands were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 47) or a control group (n = 45). The intervention group received usual care and an integrated supportive program, which included three steps: face-to-face education; face-to-face coaching at 1 month post-radiotherapy; and four telephone coaching sessions at 2, 3, 6, and 9 months post-radiotherapy. The face-to-face education consisted of oral hygiene instruction, oral self-care strategies, facial and tongue muscle exercises, and salivary gland massage. Adherence to the intervention was evaluated using a questionnaire completed during the 9 months follow-up. The control group received usual care. The unstimulated saliva flow rate and xerostomia were assessed in both groups.

Results
A total of 79 participants (40 in the intervention group and 39 in the control group) completed the 12 months follow-up. The intervention group achieved significantly greater relief from xerostomia than the control group after 3 months (intervention group: 35.1 ± 5.9 versus control group: 38.0 ± 5.9, P = 0.027) and 12 months follow-up (intervention group: 18.5 ± 4.1 versus control group: 22.8 ± 4.3, P < 0.001). A higher unstimulated saliva flow rate was observed in the intervention group than the control group at 12 months follow-up (intervention group: 0.16 ± 0.08 versus control group: 0.12 ± 0.07, P = 0.035). Adherence to the intervention was generally good.

Conclusion
This integrated supportive program with good adherence relieved xerostomia and had a positive effect on unstimulated saliva flow rate among patients with HNC radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands during the 12 months of follow-up.
Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100051876 (08/10/2021), retrospectively registered.
Success and patient satisfaction of immediately loaded zirconia implants with fixed restorations one year after loading
Authors: Rutkowski Rico , Smeets Ralf , Neuhöffer Leon , Stolzer Carolin , Strick Kilian , Gosau Martin , Sehner Susanne , Volz Karl Ulrich , Henningsen Anders 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
There is limited evidence for the use of zirconium dioxide implants in immediate implant placement as well as for related immediate loading protocols. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the survival rate, success and patient satisfaction of immediately placed zirconia implants compared to delayed placed implants.

Methods
The study included 58 partially edentulous patients who were treated between 2013 and 2015 with immediate and delayed transgingival healing zirconium dioxide implants (SDS, Kreuzlingen/ Switzerland). In addition to survival and success rate, marginal bone loss was assessed using radiographs and soft tissue was evaluated using Pink Esthetic Score. Oral health-related quality of life was investigated prospectively using a modified OHIP questionnaire.

Results
The cumulative survival rate of all implants included was 92% with 88% classified as full success. No significant difference was found between the bone levels of immediately and delayed placed and immediately and delayed loaded implants. The mean Pink Esthetic Score after final prosthetic rehabilitation was 12.2/14 points indicating excellent esthetic clinical results. Analysis of the OHIP questionnaire showed a mean value of 0.54/100 points reflecting a high patient satisfaction.

Conclusions
Immediate and delayed placed as well as loaded zirconium dioxide implants showed excellent results regarding implant success and survival in this study. Zirconium dioxide implants may ensure excellent esthetic results and high patient satisfaction.
Effects of mouth breathing on maxillofacial and airway development in children and adolescents with different cervical vertebral maturation stages: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Jiahua , Zhao Ziyi , Zheng Leilei , Daraqel Baraa , Liu Jing , Hu Yun 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
To examine the influence of mouth breathing on maxillofacial and airway development in children and adolescents with different cervical vertebral maturation stages.

Methods
Lateral cephalometric radiograph of a total of 120 children and adolescents, 64 girls and 56 boys (7–15 years old), diagnosed with mouth breathing were examined. Maxillofacial hard tissue, soft tissue and airway measurements were obtained using both manual and digital techniques. Independent samples t-test was performed to compare the difference between the measured indexes and the standard values.

Results
As for maxillofacial hard tissue, SNB (CS1–CS5), GoGn (CS1–CS5), ArGoNa (CS1–CS5), ArGo (CS1–CS2) and SNA (CS1–CS2) in mouth breathing children and adolescents were below the standard values (P < 0.05). NGoMe (CS1–CS5), SN-MP (CS1–CS4), SN-PP (CS1–CS4), PP-MP (CS1–CS3) and SN-GoGn (CS1–CS2) in mouth breathing children and adolescents were above the standard values (P < 0.05). As for maxillofacial soft tissue measurements, H angle (CS1–CS5), lower lip length (CS1–CS5), upper lip protrusion (CS1–CS5), upper lip length (CS1–CS4), lower lip protrusion (CS1–CS3), surface Angle (CS2–CS3) and nasolabial angle (CS2) in mouth breathing children and adolescents were above the standard values with statistically significance (P < 0.05). As for airway measurements, PAS (CS1, CS2, CS5) in mouth breathing children and adolescents was above the standard value with statistical significance (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Mouth breathing had a real effect on maxillofacial and airway development, which differed among mouth breathing children and adolescents with different cervical vertebral maturation.
What is the effectiveness and safety of mirtazapine versus escitalopram in alleviating cancer-associated poly-symptomatology (the MIR-P study)? A mixed-method randomized controlled trial protocol
Authors: Economos Guillaume , Alexandre Marine , Perceau-Chambard Elise , Villeneuve Laurent , Subtil Fabien , Haesebaert Julie , Glehen Olivier 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Advanced cancer patients often experience multiple symptoms at a same time. This might lead to polypharmacy and increase adverse events representing major threats to the quality of health care, especially in palliative care situations. Mirtazapine, an antidepressant agent, has been suggested as a potential relevant drug to alleviate multiple cancer-related symptoms at a same time.
Therefore, the present study aims to assess the effectiveness of mirtazapine in alleviating multiple symptoms at a same time in advanced cancer patients suffering from a major depressive episode compared to a group receiving escitalopram, another antidepressant agent.

Methods
Multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled trial in 12 palliative care services in France.
The study will be based on a mixed-method methodology using parallel groups, of oral mirtazapine compared with oral escitalopram, with a 56 day follow-up. The primary outcome will be an improvement of the Global health Status (issued from the EORTC-QLQ-C30) on day 56. 418 participants will be clinically followed-up on day 7 and 56 and will have a telephonic assessment on days 14 and 28. A sub-sample of participants will be invited to take part in semi-structured qualitative interviews at baseline and day 56. For the qualitative part, purposeful sampling will be used.

Discussion
This study will provide evidence for the pharmaceutics management of poly-symptomatology in advanced cancer patients. This could lead to important changes in the management of those patients by using a single molecule to alleviate multiple symptoms at a same time, potentially improving medication adherence, symptoms’ control, and reducing the risk of medications adverse events.

Trial registration
Trial registration: NCT04763135. Registered 18 March 2021.
Determinants of good academic performance among university students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tadese Mesfin , Yeshaneh Alex , Mulu Getaneh Baye 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundEducation plays a pivotal role in producing qualified human power that accelerates economic development and solves the real problems of a community. Students are also expected to spend much of their time on their education and need to graduate with good academic results. However, the trend of graduating students is not proportional to the trend of enrolled students and an increasing number of students commit readmission, suggesting that they did not perform well in their academics. Thus, the study aimed to identify the determinants of academic performance among university students in Southern Ethiopia.MethodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1 to 28, 2020. A total of 659 students were enrolled and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was applied to select study participants. Data were cleaned and entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable data analysis were computed and ap-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Smoking, age, and field of study were significantly associated with academic performance.ResultFour hundred six (66%) of students had a good academic performance. Students aged between 20 and 24 years (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.22-0.91), and medical/ health faculty (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.45-4.20) were significant associates of good academic performance. Students who didn’t smoke cigarettes were three times more likely to score good academic grades compared to those who smoke (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.21-7.30).ConclusionIn this study, increased odds of good academic performance were observed among students reported to be non-smokers, adults, and medical/health science students. Reduction or discontinuation of smoking is of high importance for good academic achievement among these target groups. The academic environment in the class may be improved if older students are invited to share their views and particularly their ways of reasoning.
Preparedness for practice of newly qualified dental professionals in Australia - educator, employer, and consumer perspectives
Authors: Mariño Rodrigo , Delany Clare , Manton David , Reid Kate , Satur Julie , Crombie Felicity , Wong Rebecca , McNally Clare , Lopez Diego , Celentano Antonio , Lim Mathew , Morgan Michael 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Limited data regarding the perspectives of other observers (i.e. those who educate, employ or receive care from) of new graduates’ preparedness to practice is available. The present study aimed to explore perceptions of different observers regarding the preparedness to practice and work readiness of newly qualified dental professionals. This broader range of perspectives is crucial to inform the development of educational programs, including continuing professional development, for newly qualified dental professionals, by clarifying the skills, knowledge and behaviours expected by the dental profession and wider public.

Results
Nineteen individual qualitative interviews were undertaken. Interview participants included clinical demonstrators (n = 9; 2 Oral Health Therapists; 5 Dentists; and 2 Prosthetists), dental course convenors (n = 4), representatives of large employers (n = 2), and consumers (n = 4). According to this diverse group of respondents, dental students receive adequate theoretical and evidence-based information in their formal learning and teaching activities, which prepares them for practice as dental professionals.
There were no specific clinical areas or procedures where preparedness was highlighted as a major concern. Notwithstanding this, specific graduate skills which would benefit from further training and consolidation were identified, including areas where higher levels of experience would be beneficial. Nonetheless, respondents indicated that new graduates were aware of their limitations and had developed self-discipline and ethics that would allow them to identify conditions/situations where they would not have the experience or expertise to provide care safely.

Conclusions
From an observer perspective, dental students appeared to have gained adequate theoretical and evidence-based information in their formal learning and teaching activities to prepared them to commence practicing safely as dental professionals. Areas were identified in which new graduates were underprepared and when transitional support may be required.