bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cohort profile of the Sloane Project: methodology for a prospective UK cohort study of >15 000 women with screen-detected non-invasive breast neoplasia
Authors: Clements Karen , Dodwell David , Hilton Bridget , Stevens-Harris Isabella , Pinder Sarah , Wallis Matthew G , Maxwell Anthony J , Kearins Olive , Sibbering Mark , Shaaban Abeer M , Kirwan Cliona , Sharma Nisha , Stobart Hilary , Dulson-Cox Joanne , Litherland Janet , Mylvaganam Senthurun , Provenzano Elena , Sawyer Elinor , Thompson Alastair M 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe introduction of breast screening in the UK led to an increase in the detection of non-invasive breast neoplasia, predominantly ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-obligatory precursor of invasive breast cancer. The Sloane Project, a UK prospective cohort study of screen-detected non-invasive breast neoplasia, commenced in 2003 to evaluate the radiological assessment, surgical management, pathology, adjuvant therapy and outcomes for non-invasive breast neoplasia. Long-term follow-up and accurate data collection are essential to examine the clinical impact. Here, we describe the establishment, development and analytical processes for this large UK cohort study.ParticipantsWomen diagnosed with non-invasive breast neoplasia via the UK National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) from 01 April 2003 are eligible, with a minimum age of 46 years. Diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up data collected via proformas, complement date and cause of death from national data sources. Accrual for patients with DCIS ceased in 2012 but is ongoing for patients with epithelial atypia/in situ neoplasia, while follow-up for all continues long term.Findings to dateTo date, patients within the Sloane cohort comprise one-third of those diagnosed with DCIS within the NHSBSP and are representative of UK practice. DCIS has a variable outcome and confirms the need for longer-term follow-up for screen-detected DCIS. However, the radiology and pathology features of DCIS can be used to inform patient management. We demonstrate validation of follow-up information collected from national datasets against traditional, manual methods.Future plansConclusions derived from the Sloane Project are generalisable to women in the UK with screen-detected DCIS. The follow-up methodology may be extended to other UK cohort studies and routine clinical follow-up. Data from English patients entered into the Sloane Project are available on request to researchers under data sharing agreement. Annual follow-up data collection will continue for a minimum of 20 years.
Outcome Monitoring After Cardiac Surgery (OMACS): a single-centre prospective cohort study of cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Walker-Smith Terrie , Joyce Katherine , Maishman Rachel , Smartt Helena , Hopkins Emma , Brierley Rachel , Reeves Barnaby C , Rogers Chris A , Angelini Gianni D , Culliford Lucy 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionMore than 30 000 cardiac surgery procedures are performed in the UK each year, however, postoperative complications and long-term failure of interventions are common, leading to repeated surgeries. This represents a significant burden on the patient and health service.Routinely, patients are discharged to their general practitioner 6 weeks postoperatively and research studies typically only report short-term outcomes up to 1 year after surgery, together this makes long-term outcomes of cardiac surgery difficult to monitor. Further, traditional research methods have yet to advance understanding of what causes early complications and why surgical interventions fail.Methods and analysisThis prospective cohort study will characterise participants undergoing cardiac surgery at baseline, describe short-term, medium-term and long-term health outcomes postoperatively and collect tissue samples.All eligible adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the Bristol Heart Institute, UK will be approached for consent. Recruitment is expected to continue for up to 10 years resulting in the largest cohort of cardiac patients reported to date. Blood, urine and waste tissue samples will be collected during admission. Samples, along with anonymised data, will be used to investigate outcomes and inform predictive models of complications associated with cardiac surgery.Data about the surgical admission will be obtained from hospital databases and medical notes. Participants may be monitored up to 5 years postoperatively using data obtained from NHS digital. Participants will complete health questionnaires 3 months and 12 months postoperatively.The analysis of data and tissue samples to address specific research questions will require separate research protocols and ethical approval.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the East Midlands Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee.Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentation at national and international meetings. Participants will be informed of results in annual newsletters.Trial registration numberISRCTN90204321.
Study protocol: ‘a large cohort study of postnatal events in a not-for-profit referral centre in Vellore, South India’
Authors: R Grace Mano , Pricilla Ruby Angeline , Kurian Suja , Benjamin Santosh Joseph , Rathore Swati , Yenuberi Hilda , Minz Shanti dani , Kumar Manish , Ross Benjamin Jeyanth , Vijayaselvi Reeta , Abraham Anuja , Prasanthi Annie , Mani Thenmozhi , Abraham Sunil George , Ebenezer Emily Divya , George Anne , Mittal Rohin , Jeyaseelan Lakshmanan , Mathews Jiji Elizabeth 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionIn a large developing country, with diverse population characteristics and differential access to healthcare, it is important to identify factors that influence postnatal health. This knowledge will help frame recommendations to enhance universal postnatal care.Methods and analysisA prospective cohort study will be conducted by recruiting all participants who deliver in a referral centre in South India during a 1-year period after written consent is obtained from them. In addition to clinical information pertaining to their delivery and demographics, details of physical health, mental health socioeconomic status and emotional support will also be collected. Every participant will be followed up physically and/or by telephonic consultation at 3, 9 and 18 months of their postnatal period to reassess their status and that of their babies. As there are several independent and dependent variables requiring multivariate analysis, a sample size of 10 000 is considered adequate. Any unplanned visits to a health facility will be enquired into and documented for analysis.During data analysis, the effect of Caesarean section, high-risk characteristics and gestational age of the baby at delivery on various outcome measures and postnatal status will be evaluated. Interpretation of the large volume of collected data will help frame recommendations to improve postnatal careEthics and disseminationThe study is approved by the Institutional Review Boards (Research and Ethics Committees) of Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India (IRB 12178 date 24 June 2020).Women are provided with a detailed information sheet and written consent is obtained. They are reassured that their care will not be compromised if they do not consent to the study. Data will be available on the clinical trial portal to assist in the dissemination of results after the project is published.Trial registration numberCTRI/2022/03/041343.
Effects of housing environments on COVID-19 transmission and mental health revealed by COVID-19 Participant Experience data from the All of Us Research Program in the USA: a case–control study
Authors: Luo Wenting , Baldwin Edwin , Jiang Anna Yi , Li Shujuan , Yang Bo , Li Haiquan 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesTo examine the association between housing types and COVID-19 infection (or mental health) during the early stages of the pandemic by using the large-scale individual-levelAll of UsResearch Program COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) survey data. We hypothesise that housing types with a shared component are associated with elevated COVID-19 infection and subsequent mental health conditions.DesignA retrospective case–control study.SettingSecondary analysis of online surveys conducted in the USA.Participants62 664 participant responses to COPE from May to July 2020.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measure is the self-reported COVID-19 status, and the secondary outcome measures are anxiety or stress. Both measures were applied for matched cases and controls of the same race, sex, age group and survey version.ResultsA multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that housing types with a shared component are significantly associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.19, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3; p=2×10−4), anxiety (OR=1.26, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4; p=1.1×10−6) and stress (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4; p=4.3×10−10) as compared with free-standing houses, after adjusting for confounding factors. Further, frequent optional shopping or outing trips, another indicator of the built environment, are also associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.36, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8; p=0.02), but not associated with elevated mental health conditions. Confounding factors are controlled in the analysis such as ethnicity, age, social distancing behaviour and house occupancy.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that houses with a shared component tend to have an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, which consequently leads to high levels of anxiety and stress for their dwellers. The study also suggests the necessity to improve the quality of the built environment such as residential housing and its surroundings through planning, design and management, ensuring a more resilient society that can cope with future pandemics.
Opportunities and challenges to non-communicable disease (NCD) research and training in Pakistan: a qualitative study from Pakistan
Authors: Almas Aysha , Awan Safia , Bloomfield Gerald , Nisar Muhammad Imran , Siddiqi Sameen , Ahmed Asma , Ali Asad , Shafqat Saad Hameed , Bhutta Zulfiqar Ahmed , Mark Daniel Benjamin , Douglas Pamela , Bartlett John , Jafar Tazeen H , Samad Zainab 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionMost of the global non-communicable disease (NCD)-related death burden is borne by low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In LMICs like Pakistan, however, a major gap in responding to NCDs is a lack of high-quality research leading to policy development and implementation of NCDs. To assess institutional opportunities and constraints to NCD research and training we conducted a situational analysis for NCD research and training at Aga Khan University Pakistan.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive exploratory study using grounded theory as a qualitative approach: semistructured interviews of 16 NCD stakeholders (three excluded) and two focus group discussions with postgraduate and undergraduate trainees were conducted. A simple thematic analysis was done where themes were identified, and then recurring ideas were critically placed in their specific themes and refined based on the consensus of the investigators.ResultsThe major themes derived were priority research areas in NCDs; methods to improve NCD research integration; barriers to NCD research in LMICs like Pakistan; design of NCD research programme and career paths; and NCD prevention at mass level, policy and link to the government. In general, participants opined that while there was an appetite for NCD research and training, but few high-quality research training programmes in NCDs existed, such programmes needed to be established. The ideal NCD research and training programmes would have in-built protected time, career guidance and dedicated mentorship. Most participants identified cardiovascular diseases as a priority thematic area and health information technology and data science as key methodological approaches to be introduced into research training.ConclusionWe conclude from this qualitative study on NCD research and training that high-quality research training programmes for NCDs are rare. Such programmes need to be established with in-built protected time, career guidance and mentorship for the trainees to improve their research capacity in Pakistan.
Relationship between serum chloride and prognosis in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy: a large retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Xinyi , Zhang Xiaonan , Liu Yaoxin , Shu Fen , Shao Sisi , Tan Ning , Jiang Lei 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesSerum chloride has a unique homeostatic role in modulating neurohormonal pathways. Some studies have reported that hypochloremia has potential prognostic value in cardiovascular diseases; thus, we aimed to investigate the association of baseline serum chloride with clinical outcomes in elderly patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM).DesignRetrospective study.Setting and participantA total of 1088 patients (age ≥60 years) diagnosed with NIDCM were enrolled from January 2010 to December 2019.ResultsLogistic regression analyses showed that serum chloride was significantly associated with in-hospital death. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses showed that serum chloride had excellent prognostic ability for in-hospital and long-term death (area under the curve (AUC)=0.690 and AUC=0.710, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the patients with hypochloremia had worse prognoses than those without hypochloremia (log-rank χ2=56.69, p<0.001). After adjusting for age, serum calcium, serum sodium, left ventricular ejection fraction, lg NT-proBNP and use of diuretics, serum chloride remained an independent predictor of long-term death (HR 0.934, 95% CI 0.913 to 0.954, p<0.001).ConclusionsSerum chloride concentration was a prognostic indicator in elderly patients with NIDCM, and hypochloremia was significantly associated with both in-hospital and long-term poor outcomes.
Understanding the roles and work of paramedics in primary care: a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Eaton Georgette , Tierney Stephanie , Wong Geoff , Oke Jason , Williams Veronika , Mahtani Kamal Ram 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesThis research aimed to fill a current knowledge gap, namely the current scope of clinical role of paramedics in primary care, in relation to specific constructs such a level of education and clinical experience.SettingThe survey was distributed to paramedics in primary care across the UK through the College of Paramedics.ParticipantsA total of 341 surveys were returned (male=215). 90% of responses were from paramedics in England, 1.7% from paramedics in Northern Ireland, 4.6% from paramedics in Scotland and 2.9% from paramedics in Wales. This represents approximately 33% of the primary care paramedic workforce in England and Wales. Estimates for percentages in Northern Ireland and Scotland are unavailable due to the lack of workforce datasets capturing paramedics in primary care.ResultsConsiderable variation was found in job titles, level of education and provision of clinical supervision of paramedics in primary care. Differing levels of practice were noted, despite guidance documents that attempt to standardise the role. Statistical analysis of quantitative data highlighted that relationships exist between paramedic clinical exposure in primary care, level of education, and ability of independently prescribe medicines and the extent to which clinical presentations are seen and examinations performed. However, free-text responses indicated that challenges in relation to access to further education and clinical supervision to support clinical development resulted in frustration for paramedics who work in this setting.ConclusionsAs well as offering an insight into the demographics of the primary care paramedic work force, there is indication of the clinical scope of role undertaken in this setting. Based on our findings, we recommend changes to education and support, governance and legislation to ensure paramedics employed in primary care can work to achieve the full extent of their professional capability.
Investigating the need and structure for a comprehensive eye care competency framework
Authors: Yu Mitasha , Keel Stuart , Mills Jody-Anne , Müller Andreas 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to establish whether existing eye care competency frameworks (ECCF) are fit for purpose, and set out a comprehensive ECCF that better meets the needs of the eye care workforce and broader population.Methods and analysisWe carried out a two-stage process. The first was to conduct a desk review of existing frameworks and models relevant to eye care competencies. The second was to conduct a broad stakeholder consultation of global eye care experts to affirm the gaps found in the first stage, and to inform the development of a comprehensive ECCF.ResultsWe reviewed 52 competency frameworks, competency standards and models related to eye care (including 11 from the UK) and found that there were three types of gaps, such as: (1) narrow in focus on specific occupational groups; (2) limitations in the competencies expected from an eye care worker and (3) limitations in regional focus, such that they could not easily be applied in a global context.Having affirmed these gaps during the stakeholder consultation stage, we developed a more comprehensive ECCF structure, which composed of six domains: practice, professionalism, learning and development, management and leadership, community and advocacy, and evidence. This broader structure seeks to address the gaps found in the desk review.ConclusionThe review showed that there was a need to develop a comprehensive ECCF that can be easily contextualised, encapsulate the roles of the diverse eye care workforce, and be a tool for eye care workforce planning and development to meet the needs of a global population.
Maximally entangled proton and charged hadron multiplicity in Deep Inelastic Scattering
Authors: Hentschinski Martin , Kutak Krzysztof , Straka Robert 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWe study the proposal by Kharzeev–Levin to determine entanglement entropy in Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS) from parton distribution functions (PDFs) and to relate the former to the entropy of final state hadrons. We find several uncertainties in the current comparison to data, in particular the overall normalization, the relation between charged versus total hadron multiplicity in the comparison to experimental results as well as different methods to determine the number of partons in Deep Inelastic Scattering. We further provide a comparison to data based on leading order HERA PDF as well as PDFs obtained from an unintegrated gluon distribution subject to next-to-leading order Balitsky–Fadin–Kuraev–Lipatov and Balitsky–Kovchegov evolution. Within uncertainties we find good agreement with H1 data. We provide also predictions for entropy at lower photon virtualities, where non-linear QCD dynamics is expected to become relevant.
Field and intensity correlations: the Siegert relation from stars to quantum emitters
Authors: Lassègues Pierre , Biscassi Mateus Antônio Fernandes , Morisse Martial , Cidrim André , Matthews Nolan , Labeyrie Guillaume , Rivet Jean-Pierre , Vakili Farrokh , Kaiser Robin , Guerin William , Bachelard Romain , Hugbart Mathilde 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe Siegert relation relates field and intensity temporal correlations. After a historical review of the Siegert relation and the Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect, we discuss the validity of this relation in two different domains. We first show that this relation can be used in astrophysics to determine the fundamental parameters of stars, and that it is especially important for the observation with stellar emission lines. Second, we check the validity of this relation for moving quantum scatterers illuminated by a strong driving field.
Modelling photoevaporation in planet forming discs
Authors: Ercolano Barbara , Picogna Giovanni 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPlanets are born from the gas and dust discs surrounding young stars. Energetic radiation from the central star can drive thermal outflows from the discs atmospheres, strongly affecting the evolution of the discs and the nascent planetary system. In this context, several numerical models of varying complexity have been developed to study the process of disc photoevaporation from their central stars. We describe the numerical techniques, the results and the predictivity of current models and identify observational tests to constrain them.
Spectral entropy provides separation between Alzheimer’s disease patients and controls: a study of fNIRS
Authors: Ferdinando H. , Moradi S. , Korhonen V. , Helakari H. , Kiviniemi V. , Myllylä T. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is commonly used as a non-invasive tool to measure cerebral neurovascular dynamics. Its potential for diagnostics of various brain disorders has been already demonstrated in many recent studies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). fNIRS studies are usually based on comparing hemoglobin measurements at baseline and during a specific task. At present, many proposed methods using fNIRS to diagnose AD involve certain tasks, which may be challenging for the elderly and patients with cognitive decline. Here, we propose a method to characterize AD patients and control in resting state, by applying spectral entropy (SE) analysis on oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, HbO and HbR, respectively, and total hemoglobin (HbT) based on fNIRS signals measured from the left and right sides of the forehead. We applied SE to very low frequency (VLF) (0.008–0.1 Hz), respiratory (0.1–0.6 Hz), and cardiac (0.6–5 Hz) bands to find out which band delivered the optimum result. Next, a t test with 0.05 significant level was performed to compare SE values of AD patients and controls. Results from the VLF band looked promising as SE values from AD patients were always significantly higher than those from controls. In addition, this phenomenon was consistent for both sides of the forehead. However, significant differences in SE values in the respiratory band were found from the left hemisphere only, and in the cardiac band from the right hemisphere only. SE value from the VLF band supports a strong argument that it provides good predictability related to the development of AD. We demonstrated that SE of brain fNIRS signal can be an useful biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease pathology.