bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How deep is your involvement? Caregiver Contribution to self-care in heart failure: A content qualitative analysis with magnitude coding
Authors: Cuoco A C , Durante A D , Alvaro R A , Vellone E V 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction
People with heart failure (HF) often rely on the support of informal caregivers to perform self-care. While caregiver contributions (CC) to HF self-care have been described, little is kwon how deeply caregivers are involved in supporting HF patient to perform self-care.

Purpose
This study aimed to describe with which actions informal caregivers contributed to the self-care of people with HF and with what intensity these actions are acted upon.

Method
We used a qualitative-descriptive design. We enrolled a convenience sample of HF caregivers who were aged &gt; 18 and cared for their patients for at least six months. Interviews were conducted from August 2020 to February 2021, via telephone. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis with a deductive and inductive approach. Two investigators independently performed a two-round coding of the transcriptions using NVIVO: firstly, we used "Verbal Exchange coding", to identify the verbs of the actions performed by caregivers; secondly, we used "Magnitude Coding" to qualify the intensity caregiver involvement in HF care from M1 = low level of contribution (i.e., passive occasionally observation), to M2 = medium level of contribution (i.e., active regularly observation and contribution) and M3 = high level of contribution (i.e., daily contribution as recommended by guidelines). Categories, sub-categories, and codes were grouped in the three theoretical dimensions of CC to self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring and self-care management.

Results
The mean age of the 22 enrolled caregivers was 53.45 years (range 30-78). Most of the participants were female (n=17), married (n=11) adult children (n=14) and in cohabitation with the patients (n=13) caring for them for an average of 9.32 hours per day (range 2-24 hours/day). 32 different actions were identified as played by caregivers: 9 in self-care maintenance, 14 in self-care monitoring, and 9 in self-care management. Among the 9 self-care maintenance actions, the contribution in M1 was "Physical activity" which was coded 1 time; the action in M3 was "Ensuring that the person consumes low-salt foods" coded 12 times. Among the 14 self-care monitoring actions, the contribution in M1 was "Noting health changes", coded 11 times, while the contribution in M3 was "Understanding the origin of symptoms" coded 20 times. with (M3). Among self-care management actions, the contribution in M1 was "Seeking advice from family or friends about symptom management", coded 4 times; the highest contribution with M3 was "Knowing how to manage decompensation flare-ups" which was coded 13 times. Conclusion(s): How caregivers are involved in the process of their contribution to HF self-care is important to tailor future interventions.
A demographic study to profile non-attenders at a single centre heart failure outpatient clinic
Authors: Mannion T 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Nonattendance is a source of inefficiency increasing waiting lists with potential secondary effects on the health status of non-attenders. This is true for patients in heart failure (HF) management programmes with nonattendance reducing the opportunity for prevention intervention &potentially increasing the risk of HF re-hospitalisation.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of trends of non-attendance of appointments to a single centre HF disease management programme over 36 months. Variables which influence missed appointments such as day of week & comparison between the first & second 6 months of the year were analysed. Patients who did not attend (DNA) their HF appointments (index cases) over 12 months (January–December 2021) were compared with a sample of patients who attended the same clinics (using a computer-generated randomisation technique). Variables which influence missed appointments were compared (age, gender, new/return status, history of cognitive impairment, non-English speaker, HF type, aetiology of cardiomyopathy, recent HF hospitalisation/need for IV diuretics & disease burden measured by NYHA Classification, NTproBNP & No. of comorbid conditions).

Results
In the 36 months studied there were 460 non-attenders (DNA rate 7.9%) out of 5,823 appointments. The DNA rate did not differ based on day of appointment (p=0.091)/ between the first & second halves of the year (p=0.059). 138 DNA's were compared with 138 controls who attended the same HF service over a 12-month period in 2021. Mean LVEF was similar between index (35.2%) &control cases (35.2%), NTproBNP did not differ significantly (2306 vs 2365) & no. of comborbid conditions did not differ significantly between groups (7 +/- 2.7 vs 6.8 +/-2.6). DNA's had a higher NYHA class than attenders (p=0.02). Measures of disease burden-recent HF hospitalisation/need for IV diuretics, NTproBNP & no. of comorbid conditions did not show statistical difference between index &control groups. There was a trend towards non-English-speaking patients & new referrals not attending appointments compared to the control group, however this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.06). Comparison of other variables such as gender, history of cognitive impairment/dementia, HF type, aetiology of cardiomyopathy did not influence attendance. (Table 1).

Conclusion(s)
Nonattendance to a HF management programme remained static annually with a mean DNA rate of 7.9% over the 3-year period studied. The present study did not identify any statistically significant clinical factors that influenced nonattendance, though there was a trend towards higher default rate for new patients & non-English speaking patients. NYHA class was higher in non-attenders than attenders though other indirect measures of disease burden did not influence attendance. Non clinical factors should be further studied to identify factors which influence nonattendance in order to develop strategies to minimise non-attendance
The Greek version of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) scale version 5
Authors: Lakatamitou I , Middleton N , Paikousis L , Kouta C , Lambrinou E 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
The Professional Quality of Life (ProQοL) scale is one of the most widely measures of compassion satisfaction and fatigue used, despite there is not much of published evidence to support its validity. The ProQoL scale assesses multiple domains of work experiences; compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Our aim was to examine the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the ProQoL scale version 5 (Gr-ProQoL-5).

Method
A methodological study was contacted in order to assess the construct validity and reliability of the Gr-ProQoL-5. For that reason, 264 questionnaires were administrated by Greek-Cypriot healthcare professionals (HPs). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were conducted to examine the relationship between the three Gr-ProQoL-5 dimensions (compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress). Cronbach’s a was calculated as well.

Results
CFA for Gr-ProQOL-5, did not confirm the initial scale’s dimensions. In EFA five models were emerged. The models were then tested with CFA and after a panel discussion, the research team decided to keep one final model for the Gr-ProQoL-5. Items 1, 2, 4, 10, 15, 17 and 29 were eliminated from the analysis due to low communalities and multiple components loading. Three components were found representing compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

Conclusions
The Gr-ProQoL-5 is an adequate instrument to assess ProQoL in Greek-Cypriot HPs and may be valuable for designing effective interventions to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue, and promote compassion satisfaction of HPs. More than ever and in the era of the pandemic the ProQοL seems to be a necessary quality indicator for health care systems.
Caught between competing emotions and tensions - a focus group study exploring experiences of family caregivers of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors
Authors: Rosenkilde S , Missel M , Wagner M , Dichmann C , Hermansen A S , Larsen M K , Joshi V L , Olsen A D Z , Borregaard B 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction
Being a family member caring for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivor may impact family caregivers’ lives due to the sudden onset of the illness and possible secondary cognitive, emotional and physical challenges. However, experiences of caring for an OHCA survivor are sparsely described.

Purpose
This purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experiences of family caregivers of OHCA survivors as a means of understanding the potential burden they face.

Methods
Using an explorative qualitative approach, six focus group interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 family caregivers of OHCA survivors and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach inspired by the philosophy of Ricoeur. OHCA survivors and their family caregivers were attenting at a residential rehabilitation course, where the caregivers were interviewed as part of the course.

Results
Three themes emerged: i) Feeling unexpectedly alone and invisible; the family caregivers felt an emotional burden that could not be shared – leading to caregiving being a lonely and anxious experience. The family caregiver felt alone with the responsibility of the shared life, ii) Fear of loss; the fear of losing a loved one was a constant companion contributing to the burden of caregiving, and iii) Adjusting to a new everyday life; the family caregivers had difficulties adjusting to living their lives on the basis of the survivors’ needs. This often resulted in an existential crisis trying to adapt (Figure 1).

Conclusion
The findings of this study illuminate and emphasise the burden experienced by family caregivers and how they can be caught between competing emotions and tensions. The possible caregiver burden following OHCA should be acknowledged.
Systematic screening is needed to identify those at risk of high caregiver burden. Further, collaboration with family care givers should be an essential part of post-cardiac arrest care, and interventions to reduce the burden should be tested and implemented as part of the clinical care of OHCA survivors and their families.
Effects of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease and depression on quality of life. A sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Westas M , Mourad G , Andersson G , Lundgren J , Johansson P 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swedish Research Council (2015-02600), ALF grants Region Östergötland (LIO-600321 and LIO-687531)

Background
In patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), depression can cause poorer Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). However, less is known about whether changes in depression over time are associated with changes in HRQoL. We have recently shown that a 9-week internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program had a significant positive treatment effect on depression in CVD patients and that this effect was maintained at 12-month follow-up. If long-term improvements in depression corresponded to improvements in HRQoL was however not investigated.

Purpose
To explore if changes in depression after 9 weeks of iCBT are associated with changes in HRQoL at 12 months follow-up.

Methods
This study is a sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a nine-week iCBT program for depression in CVD patients. Data from patients who had performed iCBT were analyzed (n=72). Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to measure depression. The 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF12) including the Mental Component Score (MCS) and the Physical Component Score (PCS), and the EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) were used to measure HRQoL. Data was collected at baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Linear mixed model was used to explore long-term treatment effects on HRQoL. Pearson correlation was used to explore the association between changes in depression and HRQoL at 12-month follow-up.

Results
There was a significant improved treatment effect of iCBT on HRQoL after 12-months (MCS p&lt;.001, PCS p&lt;.032, and EQ-VAS p&lt;.001). Decreased depression was correlated with improved HRQoL after 12-months. The correlation scores between changes in depression and HRQoL were: MCS p&lt;.001, r=-0.62; PCS p&lt;.001, r=-.34; and EQ-VAS r=-.57, p&lt;.001respectively.

Conclusion
Long term improvement in depression was associated with improvement in HRQoL (Figure 1). Interventions that improve depression in CVD patients are also likely to have sustained positive effect on HRQoL.
Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for one or three montsh after surgical aortic valve replacement, a feasibility study of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schlyter M 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common disease. Many patients on the waiting list for surgery cut down on their physical activity resulting in anxiety and reduced physical function. It is important to offer this group exercise-based training in the shape of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after surgery.

Aim
The primary aim was to study the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial studying if there was any differences in change of level of physical activity and functional exercise capacity after one month of training compared to three months of training.
Method
A feasibility study of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with one group receiving one month of CR (group A) versus one group receiving three months of CR (group B). Feasibility was measured in terms of recruitment rate, adherence rate, retention rate, adverse events and the ability to collect primary and secondary outcome measurements. Primary outcome measure was 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and secondary outcome measures were heel-lift, 30-second chair stand test (CST), self-perceived physical activity, level of physical activity, factors limiting functional exercise capacity in daily life and current state of self-perceived health. Thirty patients were included in the result.

Result
Regarding feasibility in this study the recruitment rate was low, but the adherence and retention rates were good. The ability to collect outcome assessment was good and there was only one adverse event. Significant differences were found regarding physical activity and self-perceived health in favor of the three-months training group (group B). There were no differences in 6MWT, heel-lift, CST or physical capacity between the two groups.

Conclusion
This feasibility study showed that recruitment rate was low but other measures of feasibility was satisfactory. Results indicate that a shorter supervised program may be sufficient and may facilitate effective use of resouces.
Effects of remote patient management on self-care behaviour in heart failure patients: results from the TIM-HF2 trial
Authors: Deckwart O , Koehler K , Lezius S , Prescher S , Koehler F , Winkler S 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Background
Remote patient management (RPM) in heart failure (HF) patients is a rapidly developing field of digital cardiology with beneficial clinical effects. RPM might affect HF specific self-care behaviour, which represents an important patient-reported outcome.

Purpose
To investigate the effects of RPM used in the Telemedical Interventional Management in Heart Failure II (TIM-HF2) trial on HF-specific self-care as a prespecified secondary endpoint analysis.

Methods and Results
HF patients who were recently hospitalized and do not suffer from major depression were randomized to either RPM plus Usual Care (UC) or UC only, with a 12-month follow-up. Self-reported self-care behaviour at baseline and study-end were assessed by mean differences of the 9-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS-9). 1,538 HF patients (mean age 70.3±10.5 years, 70% men, 52% NYHA class II and 47% NYHA class III, 65% LVEF ≤45%) were included, obtaining 1,321 patients with valid baseline and follow-up questionnaires.
Self-care behaviour sum scores increased in the RPM group (n=667) from 78.7±17 to 84.5±14 and in the UC group (n=654) from 79.0±17 to 80.0±16 from baseline to 12 months (mean difference 4.58 95% CI 3.02, 6.14; p&lt;0.001). The subgroup of patients living alone and having an inadequate (&lt;70) baseline self-care behaviour score showed the highest improvement (8.66[3.52; 13.81]). There were significant changes between both groups in item "I weight myself every day" (MD -1.13; 95% CI -1.24, -1.02; p&lt;0.001), and item "I take my medication as prescribed" (MD -0.06; 95% CI -0.10, -0.01; p=0.014). No relation was found between the self-care behaviour score and the efficacy of RPM on the primary and main secondary endpoints of the TIM-HF2 study.

Conclusions
RPM improves HF-specific self-care behaviour by achieving a better adherence to recommended HF regimen. Clinical endpoints were not affected by the level of self-care behaviour.
Evaluating the usability of a co-designed interactive web application for cardiac rehabilitation.
Authors: Nesbitt K , Beleigoli A , Champion S , Gebremichael L , Jacob A , Du H , Hendriks J , Tirimacco R , Clark R A 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Novartis

Background/significance
The rapid development of information technology is driving the evolution of choices of modes of delivery of healthcare services. The internet is an extremely powerful tool for accessing information, and communication. However, involvement of patients in the assessment of such an intervention is crucial, and can be achieved through a person-centred approach, utilising a co-design process with the aim to increase intervention usability.

Purpose
To assess the usability of the Country Access to Cardiac Health (CATCH) Web, an interactive web application for cardiac rehabilitation (CR), co-designed with rural and remote Australians, following the co-design development phase.

Methods
The User Experience (UX) Design framework was used to co-design the web portal with CR patients through two rounds of six co-design workshops pre (n=39), and post (n=35). Participants and family members living in rural and remote areas of Australia were invited to participate based on their eligibility for CR as outlined by the National Heart Foundation of Australia. As part of the UX Design Framework the System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to measure objective feedback from participants on the website design. The SUS assesses the three core components of a products usability: effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction using a 10 question Likert scale. Mean scores were compared between the two rounds of workshops using an independent T-Test. The mean SUS score is categorised into poor to moderate (&lt;68), good (68-80.3) and excellent (&gt;=80.3) and categories were compared between the two rounds of workshops through Chi-Square tests.

Results
The 35 participants in the usability workshops had a mean age of 68.6 (SD 11.2) years and 16 (47%) were female (Table 1). The majority had experienced a myocardial infarction (15, 42.8%) and had hyperlipidemia (17, 50%), heart failure (15, 44%), hypertension (14, 41%), and Type II diabetes (7, 21%). Of these participants 20 (59%) used a smart phone, 18 (58%) had access to the National Broadband Network and 20 (59%) engaged with Facebook. From the first to the second round of workshops, there was an improvement in the mean SUS scores from 66.7 (SD16.8) to 73.6 (SD 21.0); p=0.26. The proportion of participants rating it as good or excellent increased from 48.7 to 65.8%; p=0.11 (Figure1).

Conclusion
The usability testing of the interactive CATCH web application showed an improvement in the SUS rating from poor to moderate in the co-design development phase to good or excellent by most of the participants in the usability testing phase. Usability is closely related to engagement with a digital health intervention. Upcoming evaluation of this intervention will report on clinical outcomes.
De Novo-Whole Genome Assembly of the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) Genome: An Animal Model for Severe/Critical COVID-19
Authors: Andreotti Sandro , Altmüller Janine , Quedenau Claudia , Borodina Tatiana , Nouailles Geraldine , Teixeira Alves Luiz Gustavo , Landthaler Markus , Bieniara Maximilian , Trimpert Jakob , Wyler Emanuel 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The Roborovski dwarf hamster Phodopus roborovskii belongs to the Phodopus genus, one of the seven within Cricetinae subfamily. Like other rodents such as mice, rats, or ferrets, hamsters can be important animal models for a range of diseases. Whereas the Syrian hamster from the genus Mesocricetus is now widely used as a model for mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019, Roborovski dwarf hamster shows a severe-to-lethal course of disease upon infection with the novel human coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
Reduction of Excitatory Synaptic Transmission Efficacy in the Infralimbic Prefrontal Cortex Potentially Contributes to Impairment of Contextual Fear Memory Extinction in Aged Mice
Authors: Shan Qiang , Yu Xiaoxuan , Tian Yao 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Human beings are living longer than ever before and the cognitive decline experienced by aged adults, such as compromise in cognitive flexibility, has been attracting more and more attention. One such example is the aging-related impairment of memory extinction. However, its underlying neural basis, especially its functional basis at the synapse level, is largely unknown. This study verifies that Pavlovian contextual fear memory extinction is impaired in aged mice. A large body of previous studies has shown that the infralimbic prefrontal cortex (ilPFC) plays a pivotal role in memory extinction. Correspondingly, this study reveals an aging-related reduction in the efficacy of excitatory synaptic transmission onto the ilPFC pyramidal neurons via electrophysiology recordings. This study further suggests that this reduced excitation potentially contributes to the aging-related impairment of contextual fear memory extinction: chemogenetically suppressing the activity of the ilPFC pyramidal neurons in young mice impairs contextual fear memory extinction, whereas chemogenetically compensating for the reduced excitation of the ilPFC pyramidal neurons in aged mice restores contextual fear memory extinction. This study identifies a functional synaptic plasticity in the ilPFC pyramidal neurons that potentially contributes to the aging-related impairment of contextual fear memory extinction, which would potentially help to develop a therapy to treat related cognitive decline in aged human adults.