bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The reporting of pilot and feasibility studies in the top dental specialty journals is suboptimal
Authors: Khan Mohammed I. U. , Brar Hartirath K. , Sun Cynthia Y. , He Rebecca , El-Khechen Hussein A. , Mellor Katie , Thabane Lehana , Quiñonez Carlos 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Pilot and feasibility studies (PAFS) are smaller investigations seeking to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger more definitive study. In late 2016, the CONSORT statement was extended to disseminate good practices for reporting of randomized pilot and feasibility trials. In this quality assurance review, we assessed whether PAFS in the top dental speciality journals adhere to good practices of conduct and reporting, by prioritizing assessment of feasibility and stating pre-defined progression criteria to inform the decision to pursue funding for a larger trial.

Methods
With the help of a librarian, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from 2017 to 2020, inclusive, for PAFS in the top 3 journals from each of the 10 dental specialties. We collected data on methodological and general characteristics of the studies, their objectives, and reporting of items recommended in the CONSORT extension.

Results
Of the 111 trials included, 51.4% (95% CI 41.7–61.0%) stated some indication of intent to assess feasibility while zero reported progression criteria; 74.8% (95% CI 65.6–82.5%) of trials used the terms “pilot” or “feasibility” in their titles and 82.9% (95% CI 74.6–89.4%) of studies stated there is a need for a future trial, but only 9.0% (95% CI 4.4–15.9%) stated intent to proceed to one. Most of the studies, 53.2% (95% CI 43.4–62.7%), reported hypothesis testing without cautioning readers on the generalizability of the results. Studies that used the terms “pilot” or “feasibility” in their title were less likely to have feasibility objectives, compared to trials that did not, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.310 (95% CI 0.103–0.930; p = 0.037). Compared to trials that did not conduct hypothesis testing, trials that conducted hypothesis testing were significantly less likely to assess feasibility, among them, trials that cautioned readers on the generalizability of their results had an OR of 0.038 (95% CI 0.005–0.264; p < 0.001) and trials that did not caution readers on the generalizability of their results had an OR of 0.043 (95% CI 0.008–0.238; p = 0.001).

Conclusion
Many PAFS in dentistry are not conducted with the intent of assessing feasibility, nor do they state progression criteria, and few report intent to proceed to a future trial. Misconceptions about PAFS can lead to them being poorly conducted and reported, which has economic and ethical implications. Research ethics boards, funding agencies, and journals need to raise their standards for the conduct and reporting of PAFS, and resources should be developed to address misconceptions and help guide researchers on the best practices for their conduct and reporting.
The perception of intonational and emotional speech prosody produced with and without a face mask: an exploratory individual differences study
Authors: Sinagra Chloe , Wiener Seth 
Published: October 2022

AbstractFace masks affect the transmission of speech and obscure facial cues. Here, we examine how this reduction in acoustic and facial information affects a listener’s understanding of speech prosody. English sentence pairs that differed in their intonational (statement/question) and emotional (happy/sad) prosody were created. These pairs were recorded by a masked and unmasked speaker and manipulated to contain audio or not. This resulted in a continuum from typical unmasked speech with audio (easiest) to masked speech without audio (hardest). English listeners (N = 129) were tested on their discrimination of these statement/question and happy/sad pairs. We also collected six individual difference measures previously reported to affect various linguistic processes: Autism Spectrum Quotient, musical background, phonological short-term memory (digit span, 2-back), and congruence task (flanker, Simon) behavior. The results indicated that masked statement/question and happy/sad prosodies were harder to discriminate than unmasked prosodies. Masks can therefore make it more difficult to understand a speaker’s intended intonation or emotion. Importantly, listeners differed considerably in their ability to understand prosody. When wearing a mask, speakers should try to speak clearer and louder, if possible, and make intentions and emotions explicit to the listener.
A multicentric study to correlate severity of disease and vaccine in COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Patel Ankita Rushik , Solanki Rekha Nilesh , Channwal Heena Sunil , Dave Viral Rajanikant , Prajapati Arpit Chelabhai , Patel Mansi Maulik 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
The purpose of the study was to find out correlation between severity of disease and vaccine in COVID-19 pandemic. Primary objective was to know occurrence of post-vaccination breakthrough infections in hospitalized patients and secondary objective was to know of COVID-19 vaccine to prevent severe infection, morbidity, and mortality of patients. This retrospective observational multicentric study included 325 confirmed COVID-19 patients on NRBM/BIPAP/ventilator admitted in high dependency unit (HDU)/intensive care unit (ICU) were divided into based on severity of symptoms and vaccination status. We included adult patients having positive RTPCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) COVID-19 test/high-resolution computed tomography scan (HRCT) thorax suggestive of COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients who developed adverse reaction post-vaccination, pregnant patient, and lactating mother were excluded from the study.

Results
Total 325 confirmed COVID-19-positive patients were studied. Statistical analysis with SPSS version 26 and data were analyzed by chi-square test and P value < 0.05 were considered as significant. Total duration of hospital stay was less in vaccinated patients compared to non-vaccinated patients. Oxygen requirement was also less in vaccinated patients. Vaccinated patients developed less severe infection than non-vaccinated patients.

Conclusions
COVID-19 vaccination is very effective against severity of disease. It reduces hospitalization, oxygen requirement, and mortality.
Pulque and pulquerías of Mexico City: a traditional fermented beverage and spaces of biocultural conservation
Authors: Álvarez-Ríos Gonzalo D. , Casas Alejandro , Pérez-Volkow Lucía , Figueredo-Urbina Carmen J. , de Dios Páramo-Gómez Juan , Vallejo Mariana 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPulque is a fermented beverage prepared with the sap of agave species, consumed since pre-Hispanic times in Mexico. In the sixteenth century, spaces called pulquerías were established for the sale and consumption of pulque. The demand for pulque became so high that there were more than 1500 pulquerías in Mexico City early twentieth century, but due to socio-cultural factors, the popularity of pulque plummeted. Currently, there are few pulquerías in Mexico City, and these are the main spaces for the consumption of this beverage in the metropolis. The pulque sold in pulquerías comes from eight localities, largely from Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala. People working in pulquerías have deep knowledge and specific practices to keep pulque in good conditions and to prepare it in a wide spectrum of flavors by mixing the fermented beverage with fruits, vegetables or seeds. We recorded 69 types of pulque mixtures. Pulquerías allow the economic maintenance of working families in urban and rural contexts, are spaces of socialization, and identity and help the conservation of an ancient traditional beverage.
Clinical, hematological and some biochemical alterations during diarrhea in Friesian calves naturally infected with E. coli and Salmonella
Authors: Shehta Ahmed , El-Zahar Heba , Mansour AbdelKereem , Mustafa Basma , Shety Tarek 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to assess the clinical and hemato-biochemical changes associated with diarrhea in E. coli and Salmonella pathogens in Friesian bovine calves less than one month old as well as to examine the relationship between Vit D3 and cardiac biomarkers.

Results
The study was carried out on 43 Friesian calves from a private farm in Ash Sharqia Governorate, 33 diarrheic calves aged 1–14 days with an average body weight 43.7 ± 1.2 kg, and 10 apparently healthy calves were kept as a control group to investigate the clinical and hemato-biochemical profiles. E. coli and Salmonella pathogens were isolated from the diarrheic calves where 76% were E. coli and 24% were Salmonella. Diarrheic calves showed signs of anorexia, weakness, dullness, staggering gait, pale mucous membranes with sunken eyes and dehydration. Analysis of clinical and hemato-biochemical profile of the diarrheic calves revealed significant increase in body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, white blood cells, neutrophils, serum potassium, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, cardiac NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin I with significant decrease in hemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, serum Vit D3, sodium, glucose, total protein and albumin concentrations.

Conclusions
It could be concluded that bacterial diarrhea has a severe negative impact on the clinical and hemato-biochemical profile of the neonatal calves with diarrhea. Serum cardiac biomarkers such as cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in neonatal calves with diarrhea, and there is an important relationship between cardiac biomarkers and vitamin D levels.
Brain activity changes with emotional words in different stages of psychosis
Authors: Soldevila-Matías Pau , García-Martí Gracián , Fuentes-Durá Inmaculada , Ruiz Juan Carlos , González-Navarro Laura , González-Vivas Carlos , Radua Joaquim , Sanjuán Julio 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
To date, a large number of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been conducted on psychosis. However, little is known about changes in brain functioning in psychotic patients using an emotional auditory paradigm at different stages of the disease. Such knowledge is important for advancing our understanding of the disorder and thus creating more targeted interventions. This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and chronic schizophrenia show abnormal brain responses to emotional auditory processing and to compare the responses between FEP and chronic schizophrenia.

Methods
Patients with FEP (n = 31) or chronic schizophrenia (n = 23) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 31) underwent an fMRI scan while presented with both emotional and nonemotional words.

Results
Using HC as a reference, patients with FEP showed decreased right temporal activation, while patients with chronic schizophrenia showed increased bilateral temporal activation. When comparing the patient groups, individuals with FEP showed lower frontal lobe activation.

Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study with an emotional auditory paradigm used in psychotic patients at different stages of the disease. Our results suggested that the temporal lobe might be a key issue in the physiopathology of psychosis, although abnormal activation could also be derived from a connectivity problem. There is lower activation in the early stage and evolution to greater activation when patients become chronic. This study highlights the relevance of using emotional paradigms to better understand brain activation at different stages of psychosis.
Machine Learning–Based Exploratory Clinical Decision Support for Newly Diagnosed Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With 7 + 3 Type Chemotherapy or Venetoclax/Azacitidine
Authors: Islam Nazmul , Reuben Jamie S. , Dale Justin , Gutman Jon , McMahon Christine M. , Amaya Maria , Goodman Bruce , Toninato Joseph , Gasparetto Maura , Stevens Brett , Pei Shanshan , Gillen Austin , Staggs Sarah , Engel Krysta , Davis Sarah , Hull Madelyne , Burke Elizabeth , Larchick Lenny , Zane Richard , Weller Grant , Jordan Craig , Smith Clay 
Published: October 2022

PURPOSEThere are currently limited objective criteria to help assist physicians in determining whether an individual patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is likely to do better with induction with either standard 7 + 3 chemotherapy or targeted therapy with venetoclax plus azacitidine. The study goal was to address this need by developing exploratory clinical decision support methods.PATIENTS AND METHODSUnivariable and multivariable analysis as well as comparison of a range of machine learning (ML) predictors were performed using cohorts of 120 newly diagnosed 7 + 3-treated AML patients compared with 101 venetoclax plus azacitidine–treated patients.RESULTSA variety of features in the two patient cohorts were identified that may potentially correlate with short- and long-term outcomes, toxicities, and other considerations. A subset of these diagnostic features was then used to develop ML-based predictors with relatively high areas under the curve of short- and long-term outcomes, hospital stays, transfusion requirements, and toxicities for individual patients treated with either venetoclax/azacitidine or 7 + 3.CONCLUSIONPotential ML-based approaches to clinical decision support to help guide individual patients with newly diagnosed AML to either 7 + 3 or venetoclax plus azacitidine induction therapy were identified. Larger cohorts with separate test and validation studies are necessary to confirm these initial findings.
Evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from contaminated areas of Majengo slum in Meru County, Kenya
Authors: Ombuya Jared , Gachoka Kennedy , Mutea Naomi 
Published: October 2022

Background: Antimicrobial drug resistance is of great concern today. Infections by the antimicrobial resistant strains of Escherichia coli, including enteropathogenic as well as enterotoxigenic strains have been reported as a major cause of deaths, especially among young children in low- and middle-income countries. This has been augmented by antimicrobial misuse, over the counter availability and poor sanitation especially in low income areas. This study aimed at characterizing antimicrobial resistant strains of Escherichia coli isolated from sanitation environments of the Majengo slum in Meru County, Kenya Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 samples from soil, water and drains swabs. These were tested against five antimicrobial drugs by the Kirby disk diffusion method. Results: A total of 42 (69%) of the samples had Escherichia coli. These recorded antimicrobial drug susceptibility as follows: Out of the five antimicrobial agents used, ceftazidime 28 (66.67%) showed the highest sensitivity followed by ciprofloxacin 26 (61.90%) and imepenem 25 (59.52%) respectively. cefotaxime and cefoxitin showed least sensitivity at 14 (33.33%) and 13 (30.95%) respectively. In intermediate imepenem and ciprofloxacin were the highest with 12 (28.57%) followed by cefotaxime 10 (23.81%). The least intermediate was observed in ceftazidime and cefoxitin both at 7 (16.67%). The highest resistance was observed in cefoxitin 22 (52.38%), followed by cefotaxime at 18 (42.86%). Ciprofloxacin, imepenem and ceftazidime had the lowest resistance 4 (9.52%), 5 (11.91%) and 7 (16.67%) respectively. The p-value <0.05 was considered significant to the study. Conclusions: This study showed that Escherichia coli isolated from Majengo is pathogenic and resistant to antibiotics. Detection of Escherichia coli poses a great risk in the spread of resistant strains in human. Proper sanitation and hygiene awareness practices should be provided through education to the residents of this area.
Health care users’ acceptance of broad consent for storage of biological materials and associated data for research purposes in Uganda
Authors: Nansumba Hellen , Flaviano Mugalula , Patrick Semanda , Isaac Ssewanyana , Wassenaar Douglas 
Published: October 2022

Background: Implementation of appropriate informed consent has become a cornerstone for the use of biological materials and data from clinical care to use in research. During 2017-2018, the Ugandan National Biorepository has since sought prior informed consent for long-term storage and use of remnant clinical human biological materials, where a shortened informed consent form (ICF) was incorporated on the laboratory investigation form. This project aimed at determining the acceptability rate of broad consent from health care users (HCUs) for storage of biological materials and data for research purposes in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at three Primary Health Care Facilities. 500 HCUs above 18 years of age seeking health care at outpatient departments between March to December 2020 were invited to enrol. A shortened experimental ICF for this study was developed and attached to the Laboratory investigation form. Results: Overall the acceptability of broad consent for storage of biological materials and data was 86.2% [95% CI: 82.9%-88.9%]. Compared to participants who perceived that the informed consent information is understandable (OR=0.10, CI [0.03-0.32], participants who either partly or totally disagreed were significantly less likely to perceive information as understandable (OR=0.27, CI [0.15-0.46]. 226 out of 431 respondents that accepted storage of biological materials and data, majority (61.7%) preferred to receive feedback on results of relevance to their health. Conclusion: Acceptance of broad consent for storage of biological materials and data for future research purposes was high among HCUs. A shortened and simplified ICF may trigger discussions between participants and health care workers hence increase research participant understanding of study related materials in biobanking. This in turn could enrich ethically collected biobank resources for future research of public health relevance.
Medical debt during epidemics: A case for resolving the situation in low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya
Authors: Obengo Tom 
Published: October 2022

This paper evaluates the problem of medical debt in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical debt problem is compounded during pandemics such as COVID-19 when patients seek treatment and end up in insurmountable debt because illnesses related to the pandemic are not covered by the Kenyan National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the public health coverage body under government control. As a result, discharged patients may be detained in hospitals and dead bodies are locked away in mortuaries, until relatives and friends fundraise and clear the bills. Apart from causing vulnerability, fear, and emotional stress among the poor, this practice leads to a growing lack of trust in the healthcare system, with patients deliberately avoiding hospitals whenever they suspect they have COVID-19. The resulting vicious cycle makes healthcare more inaccessible by limiting the choices that people may have. User fees, which were introduced in all public health facilities by the Kenyan government as part of a World Bank prescription for cost-sharing, normally affect more women than men. Although Kenya has implemented a general waiver system in public hospitals for those who cannot pay their medical bills, the process of obtaining this waiver can be burdensome, demeaning, and dangerous for the health of the patients. This undermines the government’s commitment to the provision of equitable and affordable health care for the citizens. In this article, the problem of medical debt in Kenya is addressed as a multi-faceted problem drawing on issues of justice and fairness, human dignity, good governance, the interplay between global and local policies, as well as politics and law. It argues that it is in the best interest of Kenya and other African countries to ensure that public health coverage covers pandemics so that the majority poor can afford and access healthcare.
Moving with technological advancements: blood glucose monitoring from a district nurse's perspective
Authors: Bailey Lianne 
Published: October 2022

Capillary blood glucose monitoring is a standard safety protocol before administering insulin. Over the past 12 months, there has been a notable increase in patients under the district nursing service using a flash glucose sensor (FGS), which is a portable technological device inserted into the skin via a stamp-like mechanism. The device sits in the interstitial fluid under the skin; the device can be scanned using a sensor to obtain glucose readings, which can eliminate the need for capillary finger pricking. From experience, some people opt for this device, considering the pain and inconvenience associated with capillary finger pricking. Despite some patients already utilising FGS, some community teams may still have to take a capillary finger prick before insulin administration, depending on local trust policy. Interestingly, while looking into the reasons for this, one discovered some contradictory concerns over the safety of FGS due to a difference in time lag, where interstitial fluid readings differ from blood glucose readings. However, new national guidelines reflect the push towards this technological innovation that could revolutionise patient care in glucose monitoring and diabetes management.
The challenges homeless people face when accessing end-of-life care: what district nurses need to know
Authors: Barnes Helen 
Published: October 2022

People experiencing homelessness have poorer physical and mental health compared with the rest of the population. Mortality rates are significantly higher, yet there is a dearth in suitable places for the delivery of palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. Homeless people are being failed by the current healthcare system. The stigma associated with being homeless negatively impacts these marginalised people, affecting care given from healthcare professionals (HCP). Services are often inflexible and have little tolerance for substance misuse. District Nurses (DN) are often experienced EOL care practitioners and well-placed to give person-centred care with a focus on collaborative decision-making. However, many homeless people die without input from DNs or specialist palliative support. It is important to understand why this is happening to address what can be done to help.