bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of psychosocial and economic factors on the quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease and their caregivers in Klang Valley, Malaysia: protocol for a mixed-methods study
Authors: Ibrahim Norhayati , Chu Sin Yee , Siau Ching Sin , Amit Noh , Ismail Rozmi , Abdul Gafor Abdul Halim 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionThe number of patients in Malaysia requiring dialysis is expected to rise substantially in the future due to the ageing population and increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Hence, more individuals will be expected to adopt the role of caregivers in the future. The upward trend of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and caregiving for dialysis patients has detrimental consequences for both patients and caregivers in terms of their psychological well-being and quality of life. Despite the current circumstances, there are very few studies in Malaysia that have explored the psychosocial factors, specifically on the economic impact of the management of ESRD.Methods and analysisThis two-phase sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, incorporating a quantitative design (phase I) and a qualitative study (phase II), is to be conducted in 4 government hospitals and 10 other non-governmental organisations or private dialysis centres within Klang Valley, Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey (phase I) will include 236 patient-caregiver dyads, while focus group discussions (phase II) will include 30 participants. The participants for both phases will be recruited purposively. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and multiple regression analysis will be used for analyses in phase I, and thematic analysis will be used in phase II.Ethics and disseminationApproval for the study has been obtained from the National Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC) (NMRR-21-1012-59714) and the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM (UKM PPI/111/8/JEP-2021–078) and University of Malaya Medical Centre (MREC ID NO: 2 02 178–10346). Informed consent of the participants will be obtained beforehand, and no personal identifiers will be obtained from the participants to protect their anonymity. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at national or international conferences with minimal anonymised data.
What are the expectations and experiences of a GMH research programme delivered in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Colombia and Uganda? A prospective longitudinal qualitative study
Authors: Rajabzadeh Vian , McGrath Michael , van Loggerenberg Francois , Bird Victoria Jane , Priebe Stefan 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesGlobal health research collaborations between partners in high-income countries and low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) aim to generate new evidence, strengthen research capacity, tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes. Previous evaluations of such programmes have identified areas for improvement but consisted only of retrospective experiences. We conducted the first prospective study to assess the initial expectations as well as the final experiences of participants of a global health research programme.Design, settings and participantsThis study adopted a prospective longitudinal qualitative study, 38 participants of a global mental health research programme with partners in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Colombia, Uganda and the (UK). The interviewees included senior investigators, coordinators and researchers. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.Outcome measuresParticipants were interviewed about their initial expectations at the inception of the research programme and their final experiences at the end.ResultsMany of the original expectations were later reported as met or even exceeded. They included experiences of communication, relationships, developed research expertise, further research opportunities and extending networks. However, other expectations were not met or only partially met, mainly on developing local leadership, strengthening institutional research capacity and opportunities for innovation and for mutual learning. Around equity of partnership and ownership of research the views of participants in the UK tended to be more critical than those of partners in LMICs.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that global health research programmes can achieve several of their aims, and that partners in LMICs feel equity has been established in the partnership despite the imbalance of the funding arrangement. Aims of global health research projects should have a realistic focus and be proportionate to the parameters of the funding arrangement. More resources and longer time scales may be required to address sustainable structural capacity and long-standing local leadership sufficiently.
Study protocol: an observational study of distress, immune function and persistent pain in HIV
Authors: Madden Victoria J , Msolo Ncumisa , Mqadi Luyanduthando , Lesosky Maia , Bedwell Gillian J , Hutchinson Mark R , Peter Jonathan Grant , Parker Romy , Schrepf Andrew , Edwards Robert R , Joska John A 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionMany people with HIV report both distress and pain. The relationship between distress and pain is bidirectional, but the mechanisms by which distress exacerbates pain are unclear. The inflammatory response to challenge (inflammatory reactivity, IR) may be a partial mediator, given that neuroimmune interactions provide a substrate for IR to also influence neurological reactivity and, thus, pain-related neural signalling. This prospective, observational, case–control study will characterise the relationships between distress, IR, pain-related signalling as captured by induced secondary hyperalgesia (SH), and pain, in people with HIV who report persistent pain (PP) (cases) or no pain (controls).Methods and analysisOne hundred people with suppressed HIV, reporting either PP or no pain, will be assessed two or four times over 6 months. The primary outcomes are distress (Hopkins 25-item symptom checklist), IR (multiplex assay after LPS challenge), and PP (Brief Pain Inventory), assessed at the baseline timepoint, although each will also be assessed at follow-up time points. Induced SH will be assessed in a subsample of 60 participants (baseline timepoint only). To test the hypothesis that IR partly mediates the relationship between distress and pain, mediation analysis will use the baseline data from the PP group to estimate direct and indirect contributions of distress and IR to pain. To test the hypothesis that IR is positively associated with SH, data from the subsample will be analysed with generalised mixed effects models to estimate the association between IR and group membership, with SH as the dependent variable.Ethics and disseminationInformation obtained from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings. The study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Cape Town (approval number: 764/2019) and the City of Cape Town (ref: 24699).Trial registration numberNCT04757987.
Development and validation of a social vulnerabilities survey for medical inpatients
Authors: Tang Karen L , Sajobi Tolulope , Santana Maria-Jose , Lawal Oluwaseyi , Tesorero Leonie , Ghali William A 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesOur objective was to validate a Social Vulnerabilities Survey that was developed to identify patient barriers in the following domains: (1) salience or priority of health; (2) social support; (3) transportation; and (4) finances.DesignCross-sectional psychometric study.Questions for one domain (health salience) were developed de novo while questions for the other domains were derived from national surveys and/or previously validated questionnaires. We tested construct (ie, convergent and discriminative) validity for these new questions through hypothesis testing of correlations between question responses and patient characteristics. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine structural validity of the survey as a whole.SettingPatients admitted to the inpatient internal medicine service at a tertiary care hospital in Calgary, Canada.ParticipantsA total of 406 patients were included in the study.ResultsThe mean age of respondents was 55.5 (SD 18.6) years, with the majority being men (55.4%). In feasibility testing of the first 107 patients, the Social Vulnerabilities Survey was felt to be acceptable, comprehensive and met face validity. Hypothesis testing of the health salience questions revealed that the majority of observed correlations were exactly as predicted. Exploratory factor analysis of the global survey revealed the presence of five factors (eigenvalue >1): social support, health salience, drug insurance, transportation barriers and drug costs. All but four questions loaded to these five factors.ConclusionsThe Social Vulnerabilities Survey has face, construct and structural validity. It can be used to measure modifiable social vulnerabilities, such that their effects on health outcomes can be explored and understood.
Body composition, mitochondrial oxygen metabolism and metabolome of patients with obesity before and after bariatric surgery (COMMITMENT): protocol for a monocentric prospective cohort study
Authors: Neu Charles , Skitek Kornel , Kissler Hermann , Baumbach Philipp , Settmacher Utz , Esper Treml Ricardo , Coldewey Sina M 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionObesity, defined as a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, is one of the most prevalent health conditions worldwide. It is part of the metabolic syndrome, which encompasses arterial hypertension, dyslipoproteinaemia and diabetes. Obesity is viewed as a systemic disease with pathophysiological mechanisms on the molecular level. Dysfunction of the mitochondrion and systemic low-grade inflammation are among the proposed causes for the metabolic changes. In severe cases of obesity, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a bariatric operation, can achieve the desired weight loss and has been associated with clinical outcome improvement. Hitherto, the influence of patients’ body composition on mitochondrial function and concomitant metabolic changes has not been fully understood. This study aims to quantify the patient’s body composition before and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and to correlate these findings with changes in mitochondrial oxygen metabolism, metabolome and immune status.Methods and analysisIn this prospective monocentric cohort study, patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (n=30) at Jena University Hospital (Germany) will be assessed before surgery and at four time points during a 1-year follow-up. Body composition will be measured by bioimpedance analysis. Non-invasive assessment of mitochondrial oxygen metabolism using protoporphyrin IX-triplet state lifetime technique (PPIX-TSLT) and blood sampling for, among other, metabolomic and immunological analysis, will be performed. The primary outcome is the difference in relative fat mass between the preoperative time point and 6 months postoperatively. Further outcomes comprise longitudinal changes of PPIX-TSLT and metabolic and immunological variables. Outcomes will be assessed using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and regression analyses.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2018-1192-BO). Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients prior to enrolment in the study. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at appropriate conferences.Trial registration numberDRKS00015891.
Home symptom management training programme: carer evaluation
Authors: Parker Deborah , Reymond Liz , Cooper Karen , Tieman Jennifer , Ivynian Serra 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesMost people say if they had a terminal illness, they would prefer to be cared for at home and, if possible, to die there. Often this is not possible without a carer to assist with on-going practical care and symptom management. If breakthrough symptoms are not treated in a timely manner, symptoms can escalate quickly causing increased suffering resulting in unwanted hospital transfers. Many carers report feeling motivated but uneducated for the task of medicine management, especially if it involves preparation and/or administration of subcutaneous medicines This study assesses the impact of an education and resource package, caring@home, on carers’ confidence, knowledge, and skills in managing palliative symptoms at home using subcutaneous medicines.MethodsNurses trained volunteer carers on the use of the package. Carers were invited to complete a 10 min written evaluation survey and to consider consenting to a 30 min semistructure phone interview.ResultsFifty carers returned surveys and 12 were interviewed. Most carers agreed or strongly agreed that the package provided them with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to safely and confidently manage breakthrough symptoms using subcutaneous medicines, further, they would recommend the package to others. Interview analysis revealed three main themes: (1) hesitation and motivation to adopt expanded carer role; (2) the importance of a layered approach to support; and (3) avoiding perceived unnecessary contact with nurses.ConclusionThe programme can be used by clinical services to empower carers to help enable a person to be cared for, and to die at home.
Population-basedBRCA1/2testing programmes are highly acceptable in the Jewish community: results of the JeneScreen Study
Authors: Tiller Jane M , Cousens Nicole E , Kaur Rajneesh , Rowley Simone , Ko Yi-An , Mahale Sakshi , Bankier Agnes , Meiser Bettina , Barlow-Stewart Kristine , Burnett Leslie , Jacobs Chris , James Paul , Trainer Alison , Neil Suzanne , Campbell Ian G , Andrews Lesley , Delatycki Martin 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundAshkenazi Jewish (AJ) people have a higher incidence ofBRCA1/2pathogenic variants (PVs) than unselected populations. ThreeBRCA-Jewish founder mutations (B-JFMs) comprise >90% ofBRCA1/2PVs in AJ people. Personal/family cancer history-based testing misses ≥50% of people with B-JFM.MethodsWe compared two population-based B-JFM screening programmes in Australia—using (1) an online tool (Sydney) and (2) in-person group sessions (Melbourne).ResultsOf 2167 Jewish people tested (Sydney n=594; Melbourne n=1573), 1.3% (n=28) have a B-JFM, only 2 of whom had a significant cancer family history (Manchester score ≥12). Pretest anxiety scores were normal (mean 9.9±3.5 (6–24)), with no significant post-result change (9.5±3.3). Decisional regret (mean 7.4±13.0 (0–100)), test-related distress (mean 0.8+/2.2 (0–30)) and positive experiences (reverse-scored) (mean 3.4±4.5 (1–20)) scores were low, with no significant differences between Sydney and Melbourne participants. Post-education knowledge was good overall (mean 11.8/15 (±2.9)) and significantly higher in Melbourne than Sydney. Post-result knowledge was the same (mean 11.7 (±2.4) vs 11.2 (±2.4)). Participants with a B-JFM had higher post-result anxiety and test-related distress and lower positive experiences, than those without a B-JFM, but scores were within the normal range. Family cancer history did not significantly affect knowledge or anxiety, or pretest perception of B-JFM or cancer risks. Most participants (93%) were satisfied/very satisfied with the programme.ConclusionBoth B-JFM screening programmes are highly acceptable to Australian Jewish communities. The programme enabled identification of several individuals who were previously unaware they have a B-JFM, many of whom would have been ineligible for current criteria-based testing in Australia.
The construction of a high-density consensus genetic map for soybean based on SNP markers derived from genotyping-by-sequencing
Authors: Fallah Manel , Jean Martine , Boucher St-Amour Vincent-Thomas , O'Donoughue Louise , Belzile François 
Published: June 2022

Genetic linkage maps are used to localize markers on the genome based on the recombination frequency. Most often, these maps are based on the segregation observed within a single biparental population of limited size ( n < 300) where relatively few recombination events are sampled and in which some genomic regions are monomorphic because both parents carry the same alleles. Together, these two limitations affect both the resolution and extent of genome coverage of such maps. Consensus genetic maps overcome the limitations of individual genetic maps by merging the information from multiple segregating populations derived from a greater diversity of parental combinations, thus increasing the number of recombination events and reducing the number of monomorphic regions. The aim of this study was to construct a high-density consensus genetic map for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers obtained through a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach. Individual genetic maps were generated from six F4:5 mapping populations ( n = 278–365), totaling 1857 individuals. The six linkage maps were then merged to produce a consensus map comprising a total of 16 311 mapped SNPs that jointly cover 99.5% of the soybean genome with only two gaps larger than 10 cM. Compared to previous soybean consensus maps, it offers a more extensive and uniform coverage.
Non-minimal coupled warm inflation with quantum-corrected self-interacting inflaton potential
Authors: Samart Daris , Ma-adlerd Patinya , Koad Peeravit , Channuie Phongpichit 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this work, we investigate the non-minimally coupled scenario in the context of warm inflation with quantum-corrected self-interacting potential. We transform the potential in the Jordan frame to the Einstein frame and consider a dissipation parameter of the form $$\Gamma = C_{T}T$$

Γ
=

C
T

T

with $$C_T$$

C
T

being a coupling parameter. We focus on the strong regime of which the interaction between inflaton and radiation fluid has been taken into account. We compute inflationary observables and constrain the parameters of our model using current Planck 2018 data. With the sizeable number of e-folds and proper choices of parameters, we discover that allowed values of $$C_T$$

C
T

lie in the range $$0.014\lesssim C_{T}\lesssim 0.020$$

0.014
≲

C
T

≲
0.020

in which the predictions are in good agreement with the latest Planck 2018 results at the $$2\,\sigma $$

2

σ

confident level.
Observational constraints on Starobinsky f(R) cosmology from cosmic expansion and structure growth data
Authors: Bessa P. , Campista M. , Bernui A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe unknown physical nature of the Dark Energy motivates in cosmology the study of modifications of the gravity theory at large distances. One of these types of modifications is to consider gravity theories, generally termed as f(R). In this paper we use observational data to both constrain and test the Starobinsky f(R) model (Starobinsky in JETP Lett 86(3):157–163, 2007), using updated measurements from the dynamics of the expansion of the universe, H(z); and the growth rate of cosmic structures, $$[f\sigma _8](z)$$

[
f

σ
8

]

(
z
)

, where the distinction between the concordance $$\varLambda $$
Λ
CDM model and modified gravity models f(R) becomes clearer. We use MCMC likelihood analyses to explore the parameters space of the f(R) model using H(z) and $$[f\sigma _8](z)$$

[
f

σ
8

]

(
z
)

data, both individually and jointly, and further, examine which of the models best fits the joint data. To further test the Starobinsky model, we use a method proposed by Linder (Astropart Phys 86:41–45, 2017), where the data from the observables is jointly binned in redshift space. This allows one to further explore the model’s parameter that better fits the data in comparison to the $$\varLambda $$
Λ
CDM model. The joint analysis of H(z) and $$[f\sigma _8](z)$$

[
f

σ
8

]

(
z
)

show that the $$n=2$$

n
=
2

–Starobinsky f(R) model fits well the observational data. In the end, we confirm that this joint analysis is able to break the degenerescence between modified gravity models as proposed in the original work (Starobinsky 2007). Our results indicate that the f(R) Starobinsky model provides a good fit to the currently available data for a set of values of its parameters, being, therefore, a possible alternative to the $$\varLambda $$
Λ
CDM model.
The generalized holographic c-function for regular AdS black holes
Authors: Li Yang , Miao Yan-Gang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe use the causal horizon entropy to study the asymptotic behaviors of regular AdS black holes. In some literature, the causal horizon entropy is regarded as a generalized holographic c-function. In this paper, we apply this idea to the case of regular AdS black holes. We show that the causal horizon entropy decreases to zero at the center of regular AdS black holes and in particular it is stationary because its derivative with respect to the affine parameter approaches zero asymptotically. Meanwhile, the asymptotic behavior of the metric of regular AdS black holes implies that the black hole center corresponds to an IR fixed point. Therefore, we conclude that the causal horizon entropy is a valid candidate for the holographic c-function of these regular AdS black holes.
Predictive Value of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in the Development of Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Bursać Iva Uravić , Kehler Tatjana , Drvar Vedrana , Babarović Emina , Pejčinović Vesna Pehar , Baršić Antonija Ružić , Peršić Viktor , Laskarin Gordana 
Published: June 2022

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the proinflammatory monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the diagnosis of asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction (DD) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA) was determined using clinical and laboratory parameters, and echocardiography was performed to estimate DD. Serum MCP-1 concentrations were elevated in PsA patients with DD diagnosed with ultrasound (median (25th percentile, 75th percentile): 366.6 pg/mL (283, 407.1 pg/mL) vs. 277.5 pg/mL (223.5, 319.1 pg/mL) in controls;

P
<
0.0017

). PsA patients with serum MCP-1 concentration higher than the cut-off value of 347.6 pg/mL had a 7.74-fold higher chance of developing DD than PsA patients with lower serum MCP-1 concentrations (controls), with a specificity of 86.36% and sensitivity of 55%, as verified using ultrasound. The group with MCP-1 concentrations above the cut-off value also showed a higher late peak diastolic mitral inflow velocity, A-wave value (

P
=
0.000005

), E/E

′

ratio (

P
=
0.00005

), and a lower E/A ratio (

P
=
0.000002

), peak systolic left atrial reservoir strain, SA value (

P
=
0.0066

), early peak diastolic displacement of the mitral septal annulus, E

′

wave value (

P
=
0.003

), than controls. Systolic blood pressure (

P
=
0.01

), LDL cholesterol concentration (

P
=
0.012

), glucose concentration (

P
=
0.011

), and DAPSA (

P
=
0.0000

) increased in the PsA group with higher MCP-1 concentrations, although there were no differences in comorbidities and therapy between the groups compared. Thus, the serum MCP-1 concentration was a significant and independent prognostic indicator for asymptomatic DD in PsA patients (

area

under

the

curve
=
0.730

,

P
=
0.001

). The DAPSA score in PsA patients might indicate the need for echocardiography and adjustment of anti-inflammatory treatment in terms of DD prevention.