bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Referral patterns, disease progression and impact of the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) in a Queensland Chronic Kidney Disease Registry (CKD.QLD) cohort: a study protocol
Authors: Mutatiri Clyson , Ratsch Angela , McGrail Matthew R , Venuthurupalli Sree , Kondalsamy Chennakesavan Srinivas 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a rapidly increasing and global phenomenon which carries high morbidity and mortality. Although timely referral from primary care to secondary care confers favourable outcomes, it is not possible for every patient with CKD to be managed at secondary care. With 1 in 10 Australians currently living with markers of CKD against a workforce of about 600 nephrology specialists, a risk stratification strategy is required that will reliably identify individuals whose kidney disease is likely to progress.Methods and analysisThis study will undertake a retrospective secondary analysis of the Chronic Kidney Disease Queensland Registry (CKD.QLD) data of consented adults to examine the referral patterns to specialist nephrology services from primary care providers and map the patient trajectory and outcomes to inform the optimal referral timing for disease mitigation. Patient data over a 5-year period will be examined to determine the impact of the kidney failure risk equation-based risk stratification on the referral patterns, disease progression and patient outcomes. The results will inform considerations of a risk stratification strategy that will ensure adequate predialysis management and add to the discussion of the time interval between referral and initiation of kidney replacement therapy or development of cardiovascular events.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in January 2021 (LNR/2020/QRBW/69707 14/01/2021). The HREC waived the requirement for patient consent as all patients had consented for the use of their data for the purpose of research on recruitment into CKD.QLD Registry. The results will be presented as a component of a PhD study with The University of Queensland. It is anticipated that the results will be presented at health-related conferences (local, national and possibly international) and via publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Cohort profile: the vitamin A and D and nitric oxide (AD-ON) observational cohort on lung development and symptoms in premature and mature children in North Zealand, Denmark
Authors: Goth Fanny Edit Maria , Schmidt Birgitte Johanne , Juul Klaus , Albertsen Per , Agertoft Lone , Jørgensen Inger Merete 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe risk of developing asthma-like symptoms and asthma in childhood is influenced by genetics, environmental exposures, prenatal and early postnatal events, and their interactions. The cohort name refers to vitamins A and D, and nitric oxide (NO) spelt backwards and this cohort profile paper aims to present the data collection and aim of the cohort.The overall aim when establishing this cohort was to investigate if childhood lung function can be traced back to early neonatal lung function and fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) and investigate prenatal and postnatal risk factors including maternal and neonatal vitamin A and D levels in preterm and term born children.ParticipantsOne thousand five hundred women and their babies born at Nordsjaellands Hospital in Denmark from 2013 to 2014 were included in the AD-ON research biobank prior to birth.Neonates from the AD-ON research biobank, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nordsjaellands Hospital, were included in the AD-ON neonatal cohort. The neonatal cohort consisted of 149 neonates hereof 63 preterm and 86 term born. The children in the cohort have been invited to follow-up visits at age 1 and 6 years.Findings to datePublished data from this cohort includes a validated and clinically applicable method to measure FeNO in neonates. We found an age-specific pattern of association between respiratory symptoms at age 1 and neonatal FeNO in preterm children. Moreover, we found that the respiratory symptoms risk was associated with postnatal factors (Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection and parental smoking) in preterm infants and prenatal factors (parental asthma and maternal infection during pregnancy) in term born infants.Future plansIn the future, the children will be examined continuously with 3-year to 5-year intervals until the age of 18. Lung function, allergy tests, environmental exposure measurements and questionnaires will be collected at each follow-up visit.
Hypertension in the South African public healthcare system: a cost-of-illness and burden of disease study
Authors: Kohli-Lynch Ciaran N , Erzse Agnes , Rayner Brian L , Hofman Karen J 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesTo quantify the health and economic burden of hypertension in the South African public healthcare system.SettingAll inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitative care received in the national public healthcare system.ParticipantsAdults, aged ≥20 years, who receive care in the public healthcare system.OutcomesWorksheet-based models synthesised data from multiple sources to estimate the burden of disease, direct healthcare costs, and societal costs associated with hypertension. Results were disaggregated by sex.ResultsApproximately 8.22 million (30.8%, 95% CI 29.5% to 32.1%) South African adults with no private health insurance have hypertension. Hypertension was estimated to cause 14 000 (95% CI 11 100 to 17 200) ischaemic heart disease events, 13 300 (95% CI 10 600 to 16 300) strokes and 6100 (95% CI 4970 to 7460) cases of chronic kidney disease annually. Rates of hypertension, hypertension-related stroke and hypertension-related chronic kidney disease were greater for women compared with men.The direct healthcare costs associated with hypertension were estimated to be ZAR 10.1 billion (95% CI 8.98 to 11.3 billion) or US$0.711 billion (95% CI 0.633 to 0.793 billion). Societal costs were estimated to be ZAR 29.4 billion (95% CI 26.0 to 33.2 billion) or US$2.08 billion (95% CI 1.83 to 2.34 billion). Direct healthcare costs were greater for women (ZAR 6.11 billion or US$0.431 billion) compared with men (ZAR 3.97 billion or US$0.280 billion). Conversely, societal costs were lower for women (ZAR 10.5 billion or US$0.743 billion) compared with men (ZAR 18.9 billion or US$1.33 billion).ConclusionHypertension exerts a heavy health and economic burden on South Africa. Establishing cost-effective best practice guidelines for hypertension treatment requires further research. Such research will be essential if South Africa is to make progress in its efforts to implement universal healthcare.
Use of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in urban Ethiopia: evidence from retrospective health facility survey data
Authors: Shuka Zemzem , Mebratie Anagaw , Alemu Getnet , Rieger Matthias , Bedi Arjun S 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesIn recent years, Ethiopia has made enormous strides in enhancing access to healthcare, especially, maternal and child healthcare. With the onset and spread of COVID-19, the attention of the healthcare system has pivoted to handling the disease, potentially at the cost of other healthcare needs. This paper explores whether this shift has come at the cost of non-Covid related healthcare, especially the use of maternal and child health (MCH) services.SettingData covering a 24-month period are drawn from 59 health centres and 29 public hospitals located in urban Ethiopia.Primary and secondary outcomes measuresThe primary outcome measures are the use of MCH services including family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, abortion care, delivery and immunisation. The secondary outcome measures are the use of health services by adults including antiretroviral therapy (ART), tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy and dental servicesResultsThere is a sharp reduction in the use of both inpatient (20%–27%, p<0.001) and outpatient (27%–34%, p<0.001) care, particularly in Addis Ababa, which has been most acutely affected by the virus. This decline does not come at the cost of MCH services. The use of several MCH components (skilled birth attendant deliveries, immunisation, postnatal care) remains unaffected throughout the period while others (family planning services, antenatal care) experience a decline (8%–17%) in the immediate aftermath but recover soon after.ConclusionConcerns about the crowding out of MCH services due to the focus on COVID-19 are unfounded. Proactive measures taken by the government and healthcare facilities to ring-fence the use of essential healthcare services have mitigated service disruptions. The results underline the resilience and agility displayed by one of the world’s most resource-constrained healthcare systems. Further research on the approaches used to mitigate disruptions is needed.
Mapping precision public health definitions, terminology and applications: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Bosward Rebecca , Braunack-Mayer Annette , Frost Emma , Carter Stacy 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPrecision public health is an emerging and evolving field. Academic communities are divided regarding terminology and definitions, and what the scope, parameters and goals of precision public health should include. This protocol summarises the procedure for a scoping review which aims to identify and describe definitions, terminology, uses of the term and concepts in current literature.Methods and analysisA scoping review will be undertaken to gather existing literature on precision public health. We will search CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, and include all documents published in English that mention precision public health. A critical discourse analysis of the resulting papers will generate an account of precision public health terminology, definitions and uses of the term and the use and meaning of language. The analysis will occur in stages: first, descriptive information will be extracted and descriptive statistics will be calculated in order to characterise the literature. Second, occurrences of the phrase ‘precision public health’ and alternative terms in documents will be enumerated and mapped, and definitions collected. The third stage of discourse analysis will involve analysis and interpretation of the meaning of precision public health, including the composition, organisation and function of discourses. Finally, discourse analysis of alternative phrases to precision public health will be undertaken. This will include analysis and interpretation of what alternative phrases to precision public health are used to mean, how the phrases relate to each other and how they are compared or contrasted to precision public health. Results will be grouped under headings according to how they answer the research questions.Ethics and disseminationNo ethical approval will be required for the scoping review. Results of the scoping review will be used as part of a doctoral thesis, and may be published in journals, conference proceedings or elsewhere.
Purchasing of tobacco-related and e-cigarette-related products within prisons before and after implementation of smoke-free prison policy: analysis of prisoner spend data across Scotland, UK
Authors: Best Catherine Susan , Brown Ashley , Hunt Kate 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesTo examine the effect of smoke-free prison policy implementation in November 2018 on purchasing patterns in the prison canteen (shop).DesignInterrupted time series.SettingAll 12 closed, publicly run prisons in Scotland, UK.ParticipantsPeople in custody (PiC) between August 2018 and end of March 2019 (n=11 944).InterventionsImplementation of smoke-free prisons policy.Outcome measuresTotal spent on all products, nicotine-related products, and food and beverage products per week.MethodsCanteen data were provided for the period July 2018–September 2019 by the Scottish Prison Service. In a series of generalised linear mixed effects models, the amount spent before and after implementation of smoke-free prison policy was compared for all purchases in the time period, and for PiC identified as ‘smokers’ and ‘non-smokers’ from their pre-implementation tobacco purchasing patterns.ResultsThe amount spent on nicotine-related products significantly decreased from pre-implementation to post implementation (incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.40; 99% CI 0.33 to 0.51, p<0.001). However, total canteen spend did not change over the study period (IRR 0.92; 99% CI 0.84 to 1.00). Post implementation about 25% of previous ‘smokers’ total canteen spend was on nicotine-related products. The amount spent by previous ‘smokers’ on food and beverages increased from £8.67 (99% CI 8.23 to 9.13) pre-implementation to £10.24 in the post implementation period (99% CI 9.58 to 10.90).ConclusionAlthough the amount of money previous ‘smokers’ in prison spent on nicotine-related products decreased after smoke-free policy, nicotine products still account for a large proportion of canteen spend among PiC in smoke-free prisons in Scotland. Results indicate that many PiC may continue to use nicotine in smoke-free prisons where e-cigarettes are permitted.
Semi-rigid knee splints for injury and risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolism: an exploratory retrospective analysis
Authors: Hunter Ross , Cooper Jamie Gray , Philips Asleigh 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPatients with lower limb injuries are commonly discharged from the ED with the affected area immobilised. Rigid casting of the lower limb is known to be a risk factor for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), making thromboprophylaxis in this population an important consideration for clinicians in the ED. The use of structured risk assessment methods (RAMs) to evaluate VTE risk and recommend thromboprophylaxis to those at higher risk is widespread in the UK. However, the evidence informing this practice is nearly exclusively based on studies of patients with rigid lower limb casts but many patients with knee injuries, including some with significant thrombotic risk factors, are managed in semi-rigid (‘cricket’) knee splints. These are both removable and allow free movement of the ankle, but the baseline risk of VTE and the performance of different RAMs in this population are not known.MethodsConsecutive patients (≥14 years) discharged from the ED at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2021, in a semi-rigid knee splint were identified retrospectively and followed up to 3 months after splint removal for the development of symptomatic VTE. Secondarily, data permitting the assessment of five different RAMs (NICE, GEMNet, an Aberdeen tool, the Plymouth score (V.2) and the L-TRiP(cast) score) were extracted systematically and compared.ResultsIn 510 patients (mean age 32 (SD 16) years, 62% male) none received thromboprophylaxis and all completed follow-up. Two patients developed symptomatic VTE (0.4%, 95% CI 0.1% to 1.4%). The different RAMs varied considerably in the proportions identified for thromboprophylaxis from GEMNet (47%) to the L-TRiP(cast) score (2%), but no RAM was able to identify the two patients who progressed to VTE.ConclusionsIn our cohort of patients managed in semi-rigid removable knee splints, the risk of symptomatic VTE was low, about 1 in 250, and current methods of VTE risk assessment did not prove clinically useful.
Loss of YTHDF1 in gastric tumors restores sensitivity to antitumor immunity by recruiting mature dendritic cells
Authors: Bai Xiaowu , Wong Chi Chun , Pan Yasi , Chen Huarong , Liu Weixin , Zhai Jianning , Kang Wei , Shi Yu , Yamamoto Masami , Tsukamoto Tetsuya , Nomura Sachiyo , Chiu Philip , Yu Jun , Kwok-wai Ng Enders 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancer worldwide. We analyzed the expression of m6A regulatory genes in GC cohorts and revealed that YTHDF1 was uniquely upregulated in GC as compared with adjacent normal tissues. In this study, we analyzed the role of YTHDF1 in GC cells and modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment.MethodsThree GC cohorts (cohort 1, n=101; cohort 2, n=278, and the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort, n=375) were analyzed for YTHDF1 expression. Function of YTHDF1 in GC was determined in GC cell lines. Role of YTHDF1 in antitumor immunity was investigated in allograft models.ResultsYTHDF1 is upregulated in GC compared with adjacent normal tissues, and high YTHDF1 expression was correlated with poor survival of patients with GC at mRNA (p=0.016) and protein levels (p=0.039). Loss of YTHDF1 in human (AGS, BGC823, MKN74) or mouse (YTN16) GC cell lines inhibited cell growth and colony formation in vitro. Strikingly, syngeneic YTN16 tumors with loss of YTHDF1 underwent complete remission in immunocompetent mice, while a lesser effect was found in immunodeficient mice. Consistently, YTHDF1 loss in GC tumors led to recruitment of mature dendritic cells (DCs) with increased MHCII expression and interleukin-12 (IL-12) secretion, which in turn, promoted CD4+and CD8+T cells infiltration with increased interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion. Loss of YTHDF1 mediated the overexpression of IFN-γ receptor 1 and JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway in tumor cells, which might contribute to restored sensitivity to antitumor immunity. In addition, pre-emptive exposure of YTN16 tumors with YTHDF1 loss triggered a potent antitumor immune response on rechallenge with wild-type YTN16 cells, implying that YTHDF1 loss induced a lasting systemic antitumor immunity.ConclusionsYTHDF1 is overexpressed in GC and promotes GC by inducing cell proliferation and repression of DCs-mediated antitumor immune response. YTHDF1 is a promising therapeutic target for GC treatment.
LLDAS (lupus low disease activity state) and/or remission are associated with less damage accrual in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a primarily Mestizo population: data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort
Authors: Ugarte-Gil Manuel Francisco , Gamboa-Cardenas Rocio Violeta , Reátegui-Sokolova Cristina , Pimentel-Quiroz Victor Román , Medina Mariela , Elera-Fitzcarrald Claudia , Zevallos Francisco , Pastor-Asurza Cesar Augusto , Lofland Jeniffer , Zazzetti Federico , Karyekar Chetan S , Alarcón Graciela S , Perich-Campos Risto Alfredo 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo determine if achieving lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) or remission prevents damage accrual in a primarily Mestizo population.MethodsPatients with SLE from a single-centre cohort with at least two visits occurring every 6 months were included. The definitions used were the following: for remission, the 2021 Definition Of Remission In SLE; and for LLDAS, the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration. Damage accrual was ascertained with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Univariable and three multivariable interval-censored survival regression models were done: (1) remission versus not on remission; (2) LLDAS/remission versus active; and (3) remission and LLDAS (not on remission) versus active. Three similar multivariable models were also examined considering the duration on each state. Possible confounders included in these analyses were gender, age at diagnosis, socioeconomic status, educational level, disease duration, antimalarial use and SDI at baseline.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty-one patients were included. Eighty-three patients (29.5%) showed increased SDI during the follow-up. In the analyses of remission, being on remission predicted a lower probability of damage (HR=0.456; 95% CI 0.256 to 0.826; p=0.010). In the analyses of LLDAS/remission, being on LLDAS/remission predicted a lower damage (HR=0.503; 95% CI 0.260 to 0.975; p=0.042). When both states were considered, remission but not LLDAS (not on remission) predicted a lower probability of damage (HR=0.423; 95% CI 0.212 to 0.846; p=0.015 and HR=0.878; 95% CI 0.369 to 2.087; p=0.768, respectively). When the duration of these states was taken into account, remission, LLDAS/remission and LLDAS not on remission were associated with a lower probability of damage accrual.ConclusionsLLDAS and/or remission were associated with a lower probability of damage accrual.
Social-emotional functioning and dietary intake among children born with a very low birth weight
Authors: Walton Kathryn , McGee Meghan , Sato Julie , Law Nicole , Hopperton Kathryn E. , Bando Nicole , Kiss Alex , Unger Sharon L. , O’Connor Deborah L. 
Published: February 2022

Very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants are at an elevated risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, later obesity and cardiometabolic disease; if and how neurodevelopmental disorders impact chronic disease risk is poorly understood. The most common neurodevelopmental disorders experienced by VLBW children are those of social-emotional functioning. We compared dietary patterns and body composition between VLBW children with poor vs. typical social-emotional functioning using linear mixed models adjusted for sex, gestational age, cognitive impairment, parental education, and body mass index (BMI). VLBW children ( n=158) attending the Donor Milk for Improved Neurodevelopmental Outcomes trial with 5.5-year follow-up participated. Poor social-emotional functioning was based on standardized parent-rated questionnaires and/or parent-reported physician diagnosis of autism spectrum or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Most children had diets categorized as “needs improvement” (67%) or “poor” (27%) and 29% of children exhibited poor social-emotional functioning. Poor social-emotional functioning was positively associated with 100% fruit juice (β=0.3 cup equivalents/day; 95% CI 0.1, 0.5) and energy intake (β=118.1 kcal/day; 95% CI 0.9, 235.2). Children with poor social-emotional functioning were more likely to have a limited food repertoire ( p=0.02), but less likely to exceed dietary fat recommendations ( p=0.04). No differences in overall diet quality or body composition were observed. Diet counselling and research are essential to improving the nutrition of VLBW children to mitigate chronic disease risk. Trial registration — Optimizing Mothers’ Milk for Preterm Infants Program of Research: Study 1 – Impact of Donor Milk at Kindergarten, NCT02759809, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02759809 . Novelty: Overall diet quality and body composition did not differ between VLBW children with poor vs. typical social-emotional functioning. Most had diets “needing improvement” or “poor” according to the Healthy Eating Index-2010. Diet counselling may help mitigate chronic disease risk in this vulnerable population.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY, GEOPOLITICAL RISK AND STOCK MARKET RETURNS IN SOUTH KOREA: A QUANTILE CAUSALITY ANALYSIS
Authors: ADEBAYO TOMIWA SUNDAY , AKADIRI SEYI SAINT , RJOUB HUSAM 
Published: February 2022

In this research, we assess the influence of geopolitical risk (GPR), exchange rate (EXCH) and economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on South Korea stock market. Using monthly dataset covering the period from 1997 to 2021, we utilized the novel non-parametric causality-in-quantiles test initiated by Balcilar et al. (2017) to assess these associations. This study discovered that the effect of macroeconomic shocks in South Korea is diverse across the stock market, implying that the influence of these shocks is not consistent across the stock market in South Korea. Furthermore, this study revealed that the causal influence of EPU, GPR on the stock market is visible in mean and variance. Nonetheless, the causal influence of EXCH on the stock market can only be seen in the mean, with no indication of causation in the variance. We consider that these results are significant to South Korean stock market investors for the purposes of foreign portfolio diversification and establishing investing strategies during times of economic uncertainty.