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SCALE-UP II: protocol for a pragmatic randomised trial examining population health management interventions to increase the uptake of at-home COVID-19 testing in community health centres

Por: Del Fiol · G. · Orleans · B. · Kuzmenko · T. V. · Chipman · J. · Greene · T. · Martinez · A. · Wirth · J. · Meads · R. · Kaphingst · K. K. · Gibson · B. · Kawamoto · K. · King · A. J. · Siaperas · T. · Hughes · S. · Pruhs · A. · Pariera Dinkins · C. · Lam · C. Y. · Pierce · J. H. · Benson
Introduction

SCALE-UP II aims to investigate the effectiveness of population health management interventions using text messaging (TM), chatbots and patient navigation (PN) in increasing the uptake of at-home COVID-19 testing among patients in historically marginalised communities, specifically, those receiving care at community health centres (CHCs).

Methods and analysis

The trial is a multisite, randomised pragmatic clinical trial. Eligible patients are >18 years old with a primary care visit in the last 3 years at one of the participating CHCs. Demographic data will be obtained from CHC electronic health records. Patients will be randomised to one of two factorial designs based on smartphone ownership. Patients who self-report replying to a text message that they have a smartphone will be randomised in a 2x2x2 factorial fashion to receive (1) chatbot or TM; (2) PN (yes or no); and (3) repeated offers to interact with the interventions every 10 or 30 days. Participants who do not self-report as having a smartphone will be randomised in a 2x2 factorial fashion to receive (1) TM with or without PN; and (2) repeated offers every 10 or 30 days. The interventions will be sent in English or Spanish, with an option to request at-home COVID-19 test kits. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants using at-home COVID-19 tests during a 90-day follow-up. The study will evaluate the main effects and interactions among interventions, implementation outcomes and predictors and moderators of study outcomes. Statistical analyses will include logistic regression, stratified subgroup analyses and adjustment for stratification factors.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board. On completion, study data will be made available in compliance with National Institutes of Health data sharing policies. Results will be disseminated through study partners and peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05533918 and NCT05533359.

IMproving psYchosocial adjustment to Traumatic Brain Injury from acute to chronic injury through development and evaluation of the myTBI online psychoeducation platform: protocol for a mixed-methods study

Por: Troeung · L. · Sarunga Raja · T. L. · Mann · G. · Wagland · J. · MacLeod · C. · Martini · A.
Introduction

This protocol describes the myTBI study which aims to: (1) develop an online psychoeducation platform for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI), their family members/caregivers, and healthcare staff to improve psychosocial adjustment to TBI across different phases of injury (acute, postacute, and chronic), and (2) undertake an evaluation of efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility.

Methods and analysis

A three-stage mixed-methods research design will be used. The study will be undertaken across four postacute community-based neurorehabilitation and disability support services in Western Australia. Stage 1 (interviews and surveys) will use consumer-driven qualitative methodology to: (1) understand the recovery experiences and psychosocial challenges of people with TBI over key stages (acute, postacute, and chronic), and (2) identify required areas of psychosocial support to inform the psychoeducation platform development. Stage 2 (development) will use a Delphi expert consensus method to: (1) determine the final psychoeducation modules, and (2) perform acceptance testing of the myTBI platform. Finally, stage 3 (evaluation) will be a randomised stepped-wedge trial to evaluate efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, postintervention, follow-up, and at final discharge from services. Change in outcomes will be analysed using multilevel mixed-effects modelling. Follow-up surveys will be conducted to evaluate acceptability and feasibility.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was granted by North Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health Research Ethics and Governance Office (RGS0000005877). Study findings will be relevant to clinicians, researchers, and organisations who are seeking a cost-effective solution to deliver ongoing psychoeducation and support to individuals with TBI across the recovery journey.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12623000990628.

The impact of electronic and self‐rostering systems on healthcare organisations and healthcare workers: A mixed‐method systematic review

Abstract

Aim

To synthesise evidence from studies that explored the impact of electronic and self-rostering systems to schedule staff on healthcare organisations and healthcare workers.

Design

Mixed-method systematic review.

Methods

Studies were screened by two independent reviewers and data were extracted using standardised data extraction tables. The quality of studies was assessed, and parallel-results convergent synthesis was conducted.

Data Sources

Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES were searched on January 3, 2023.

Results

Eighteen studies were included (10 quantitative descriptive studies, seven non-randomised studies and one qualitative study). Studies examined two rostering interventions including self-rostering (n = 12) and electronic rostering (n = 6). It was found that the implementation of electronic and self-rostering systems for staff scheduling impacted positively on both, healthcare workers and healthcare organisations. Benefits included enhanced roster efficiency, staff satisfaction, greater control and empowerment, improved work-life balance, higher staff retention and reduced turnover, decreased absence rates and enhanced healthcare efficiency. However, self-rostering was found to be less equitable than fixed rostering, was associated with increased overtime, and correlated with a higher frequency of staff requests for shift changes.

Conclusion

The impact of electronic and self-rostering systems to schedule staff on healthcare organisations and healthcare workers’ outcomes was predominantly positive. Further randomised controlled trials and longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term impact of various rostering systems, including electronic and self-rostering systems.

Implications for Healthcare

Rostering is a multifaceted responsibility for healthcare administrators, impacting patient care quality, workforce planning and healthcare expenditure.

Impact

Given that healthcare staffing costs constitute a substantial portion of global healthcare expenditure, efficient and strategic resource management, inclusive of healthcare staff rostering, is imperative.

Reporting Method

The 27-item Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Impact of the COVID‐19‐pandemic and perception of self‐efficacy on the mental health of out‐of‐hospital emergency healthcare professionals by modality of care

Abstract

Objective

To analyse the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the perception of self-efficacy on the health professionals of the Spanish out-of-hospital emergency services.

Design

Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive with a survey methodology of 1710 participants from Spain (1 February–30 April, 2021).

Methods

The mental health of healthcare workers was assesed in terms of stress, anxiety and depression, as well as their self-efficacy. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to predict these variables. A moderation analysis was conducted to determine the effect of self-efficacy on mental health.

Results

The means of the sample for stress, anxiety, depression and self-efficacy were 20.60, 15.74, 13.07 and 70.87, respectively. In the regression models, being a woman was the most significant factor for severe mental health impairment. Female gender was also a relevant factor for self-efficacy. Self-efficacy had a direct effect on the mental health for working in patient care.

Conclusions

Healthcare workers showed moderate stress, severe anxiety, mild depression and good self-efficacy. Direct patient care was associated with more stress and severe anxiety. Age, female gender, job changes and job adjustment were associated with levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Self-efficacy is a determining factor of mental health in the direct care modality.

Implications

The mental health of healthcare workers has been of great importance in the aftermath of the pandemic, but out-of-hospital emergency workers have been neglected in research. The levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic justify the creation of prevention and early diagnosis programmes, as they are essential in a health disaster. Surprisingly, their high level of perceived self-efficacy directly impact on the mental health of patient helthcare workers, so improving it will reduce the psychological risk.

Reporting Method

We have followed the STROBE guidelines. It has been partially funded by the Asistencia Sanitanitaria Interprovincial de Seguros - ASISA Foundation (Spain).

Patient or Public Contribution

‘No patient or public involvement’.

National cross-sectional cluster survey of tuberculosis prevalence in Timor-Leste: a study protocol

Por: Lopes · C. · Joao · J. C. · Lowbridge · C. · Martins · N. · dos Santos · R. I. G. · da Silva · E. · Dias · J. · Ramalingam · S. · Amaral · S. · Oakley · T. · Ico · L. d. C. · Sarmento · N. · Yan · J. · Francis · J. R.
Introduction

Timor-Leste has one of the world’s highest estimated tuberculosis (TB) incidences, yet the data which informs this estimate is limited and the true burden of TB disease is not known. TB prevalence surveys offer the best means of determining robust estimates of disease burden. This study aims to provide an estimate of the prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB in Timor-Leste and provide additional insights into diagnostic coverage and health-seeking behaviour of persons with symptoms suggestive of TB.

Methods and analysis

A national population-based cross-sectional cluster survey will be conducted in which participants aged 15 years and older will be screened for pulmonary TB using an algorithm consisting of symptom screening and digital X-ray of the chest with computer-aided detection software for X-ray interpretation. Xpert Ultra and liquid culture methods will be used to confirm survey TB cases. Additional data will be collected from persons reporting symptoms suggestive of TB to assess health-seeking behaviour and access to TB diagnosis and care. The survey aims to screen a target sample population of 20 068 people, living within 50 clusters, representing every municipality of Timor-Leste. Bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB prevalence will be estimated using WHO-recommended methods.

Ethics and dissemination

Research ethics approval has been granted by the human research ethics committee of the Northern Territory, Australia, and the Instituto Nacional da Saúde, Timor-Leste. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and disseminated with relevant stakeholders.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12623000718640.

Multicentre randomised trial of screening with sFlt1/PlGF and planned delivery to prevent pre-eclampsia at term: protocol of the PE37 study

Por: Llurba · E. · Crispi · F. · Crovetto · F. · Youssef · L. · Delgado · J. L. · Puig · I. · Mora · J. · Krofta · L. · Mackova · K. · Martinez-Varea · A. · Tubau · A. · Ruiz · A. · Paya · A. · Prat · M. · Chantraine · F. · Comas · C. · Kajdy · A. · Lopez-Tinajero · M. F. · Figueras · F. · Gratac
Introduction

Pre-eclampsia affects ~5%–7% of pregnancies. Although improved obstetric care has significantly diminished its associated maternal mortality, it remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the world. Term pre-eclampsia accounts for 70% of all cases and a large proportion of maternal–fetal morbidity related to this condition. Unlike in preterm pre-eclampsia, the prediction and prevention of term pre-eclampsia remain unsolved. Previously proposed approaches are based on combined third-trimester screening and/or prophylactic drugs, but these policies are unlikely to be widely implementable in many world settings. Recent evidence shows that the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (s-Flt-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio measured at 35–37 weeks’ gestation predicts term pre-eclampsia with an 80% detection rate. Likewise, recent studies demonstrate that induction of labour beyond 37 weeks is safe and well accepted by women. We hypothesise that a single-step universal screening for term pre-eclampsia based on sFlt1/PlGF ratio at 35–37 weeks followed by planned delivery beyond 37 weeks reduces the prevalence of term pre-eclampsia without increasing the caesarean section rates or worsening the neonatal outcomes.

Methods and analysis

We propose an open-label randomised clinical trial to evaluate the impact of a screening of term pre-eclampsia with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio followed by planned delivery in asymptomatic nulliparous women at 35–37 weeks. Women will be assigned 1:1 to revealed (sFlt-1/PlGF known to clinicians) versus concealed (unknown) arms. A cut-off of >90th centile is used to define the high risk of subsequent pre-eclampsia and offer planned delivery from 37 weeks. The efficacy variables will be analysed and compared between groups primarily following an intention-to-treat approach, by ORs and their 95% CI. This value will be computed using a Generalised Linear Mixed Model for binary response (study group as fixed effect and the centre as intercept random effect).

Ethics and dissemination

The study is conducted under the principles of Good Clinical Practice. This study was accepted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Clinic Barcelona on 20 November 2020. Subsequent approval by individual ethical committees and competent authorities was granted. The study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04766866.

Institutional capacity assessment in the lens of implementation research: Capacity of the local institutions in delivering WASH services at Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh

by Mahbubur Rahman, Mahbub-Ul Alam, Sharmin Khan Luies, Sharika Ferdous, Zahidul Mamun, Musarrat Jabeen Rahman, Debashish Biswas, Tazrina Ananya, Asadullah, Abul Kamal, Ritthick Chowdhury, Eheteshamul Russel Khan, Dara Johnston, Martin Worth, Umme Farwa Daisy, Tanvir Ahmed

Background

The influx of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) has left the Southwest coastal district of Cox’s Bazar with one of the greatest contemporary humanitarian crises, stressing the existing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources and services. This study aimed to assess the existing capacity of local institutions involved in delivering WASH services and identify relevant recommendations for intervention strategies.

Methods

We used a qualitative approach, including interviews and capacity assessment workshops with institutions engaged in WASH service delivery. We conducted five key informant interviews (KII) with sub-district level officials of the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) and Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) to have a general idea of WASH service mechanisms. Seven capacity assessment workshops were organized with the relevant district and sub-district level stakeholders from August 2019 to September 2019. These workshops followed three key areas: i) knowledge of policy, organizational strategy, guidelines, and framework; ii) institutional arrangements for service delivery such as planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and reporting; and iii) availability and management of human, financial and infrastructural resources. Data were categorized using thematic content analysis.

Results

The majority of stakeholders lacked awareness of national WASH policies. Furthermore, the top-down planning approaches resulted in activities that were not context-specific, and lack of coordination between multiple institutions compromised the optimal WASH service delivery at the local level. Shortage of human resources in delivering sustainable WASH services, inadequate supervision, and inadequate evaluation of activities also required further improvement, as identified by WASH stakeholders.

Conclusion

Research evidence suggests that decision-makers, donors, and development partners should consider learning from the WASH implementers and stakeholders about their existing capacity, gaps, and opportunities before planning for any WASH intervention in any particular area.

Design and content validation of a checklist about infection‐prevention performance of intensive care nurses in simulation‐based scenarios

Abstract

Objective

To design, develop and validate a new tool, called NEUMOBACT, to evaluate critical care nurses' knowledge and skills in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-related bacteraemia (CRB) prevention through simulation scenarios involving central venous catheter (CVC), endotracheal suctioning (ETS) and mechanically ventilated patient care (PC) stations.

Background

Simulation-based training is an excellent way for nurses to learn prevention measures in VAP and CRB.

Design

Descriptive metric study to develop NEUMOBACT and analyse its content and face validity that followed the COSMIN Study Design checklist for patient-reported outcome measurement instruments.

Methods

The first version was developed with the content of training modules in use at the time (NEUMOBACT-1). Delphi rounds were used to assess item relevance with experts in VAP and CRB prevention measures, resulting in NEUMOBACT-2. Experts in simulation methods then assessed feasibility, resulting in NEUMOBACT-3. Finally, a pilot test was conducted among 30 intensive care unit (ICU) nurses to assess the applicability of the evaluation tool in clinical practice.

Results

Seven national experts in VAP and CRB prevention and seven national simulation experts participated in the analysis to assess the relevance and feasibility of each item, respectively. After two Delphi rounds with infection experts, four Delphi rounds with simulation experts, and pilot testing with 30 ICU nurses, the NEUMOBACT-FINAL tool consisted of 17, 26 and 21 items, respectively, for CVC, ETS and PC.

Conclusion

NEUMOBACT-FINAL is useful and valid for assessing ICU nurses' knowledge and skills in VAP and CRB prevention, acquired through simulation.

Relevance for Clinical Practice

Our validated and clinically tested tool could facilitate the transfer of ICU nurses' knowledge and skills learning in VAP and CRB prevention to critically ill patients, decreasing infection rates and, therefore, improving patient safety.

Patient or Public Contribution

Experts participated in the Delphi rounds and nurses in the pilot test.

Insights on spirituality and bereavement: A systematic review of qualitative studies

Abstract

Aim

To describe a synthesis of the experience related to the spirituality of those living a bereavement journey in primary qualitative studies.

Design

A systematic review of qualitative studies.

Data Source

A systematic review was carried out in March 2019 and was updated in January 2023. Searching was accomplished by an online database, such as CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, MedicLatina, LILACS, SciELO and Academic Search Complete. The search strategy did not consider a timeline as an eligibility criterion. The quality of the studies was assessed, and a thematic synthesis was performed in this review.

Methods

A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted according to Saini and Shlonsky's methodology.

Reporting Method

PRISMA checklist.

Results

The review included 33 articles. Most of the studies were phenomenological and focused on parents' and family experiences of bereavement. Seven significant categories emerged, which match unmet spiritual needs during the grieving process. Two major categories were identified regarding the role of spirituality in bereavement: Spirituality as a process and spirituality as an outcome.

Conclusion

In clinical practice, attention to spirituality and providing spiritual care is critical to guarantee a holistic approach for those experiencing bereavement.

Implications

The findings of our study could foster awareness that healthcare professionals should include the spiritual dimension in their clinical practice to provide holistic care to individuals, enhancing the healing process in bereavement.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This is a systematic review.

Use of drugs for hyperlipidaemia and diabetes and risk of primary and secondary brain tumours: nested case-control studies using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD)

Por: Robinson · J. W. · Martin · R. · Ozawa · M. · Elwenspoek · M. M. C. · Redaniel · M. T. · Kurian · K. · Ben-Shlomo · Y.
Objectives

Previous studies have suggested that fibrates and glitazones may have a role in brain tumour prevention. We examined if there is support for these observations using primary care records from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).

Design

We conducted two nested case–control studies using primary and secondary brain tumours identified within CPRD between 2000 and 2016. We selected cases and controls among the population of individuals who had been treated with any anti-diabetic or anti-hyperlipidaemic medication to reduce confounding by indication.

Setting

Adults older than 18 years registered with a general practitioner in the UK contributing data to CPRD.

Results

We identified 7496 individuals with any brain tumour (4471 primary; 3025 secondary) in total. After restricting cases and controls to those prescribed any anti-diabetic or anti-hyperlipidaemic medication, there were 1950 cases and 7791 controls in the fibrate and 480 cases with 1920 controls in the glitazone analyses. Longer use of glitazones compared with all other anti-diabetic medications was associated with a reduced risk of primary (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.89 per year, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.98), secondary (aOR 0.87 per year, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.99) or combined brain tumours (aOR 0.88 per year, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.95). There was little evidence that fibrate exposure was associated with risk of either primary or secondary brain tumours.

Conclusions

Longer exposure to glitazones was associated with reduced primary and secondary brain tumour risk. Further basic science and population-based research should explore this finding in greater detail, in terms of replication and mechanistic studies.

Online platform for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training in a rural area: a community clinical trial protocol

Por: Taverna-Llaurado · E. · Martinez-Torres · S. · Granado-Font · E. · Palleja-Millan · M. · del Pozo · A. · Roca-Biosca · A. · Martin-Lujan · F. · Rey-Renones · C.
Introduction

Sudden death resulting from cardiorespiratory arrest carries a high mortality rate and frequently occurs out of hospital. Immediate initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by witnesses, combined with automated external defibrillator (AED) use, has proven to double survival rates. Recognising the challenges of timely emergency services in rural areas, the implementation of basic CPR training programmes can improve survival outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of online CPR-AED training among residents in a rural area of Tarragona, Spain.

Methods

Quasi-experimental design, comprising two phases. Phase 1 involves assessing the effectiveness of online CPR-AED training in terms of knowledge acquisition. Phase 2 focuses on evaluating participant proficiency in CPR-AED simulation manoeuvres at 1 and 6 months post training. The main variables include the score difference between pre-training and post-training test (phase 1) and the outcomes of the simulated test (pass/fail; phase 2). Continuous variables will be compared using Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, depending on normality. Pearson’s 2 test will be applied for categorical variables. A multivariate analysis will be conducted to identify independent factors influencing the main variable.

Ethics and dissemination

This study adheres to the tenets outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and of Good Clinical Practice. It operated within the Smartwatch project, approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Primary Care Research Institute IDIAP Jordi Gol i Gurina Foundation, code 23/081-P. Data confidentiality aligns with Spanish and European Commission laws for the protection of personal data. The study’s findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT05747495.

Early ICD implantation following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study from the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Por: Sultanian · P. · Lundgren · P. · Rawshani · A. · Möller · S. · Jafari · A. H. · David · L. · Yassinson · S. · Myredal · A. · Rorsman · C. · Taha · A. · Ravn-Fischer · A. · Martinsson · A. · Herlitz · J. · Rawshani · A.
Background

It is unclear whether an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is generally beneficial in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Objective

We studied the association between ICD implantation prior to discharge and survival in patients with cardiac aetiology or initial shockable rhythm in OHCA.

Design

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Treatment associations were estimated using propensity scores. We used gradient boosting, Bayesian additive regression trees, neural networks, extreme gradient boosting and logistic regression to generate multiple propensity scores. We selected the model yielding maximum covariate balance to obtain weights, which were used in a Cox regression to calculate HRs for death or recurrent cardiac arrest.

Participants

All cases discharged alive during 2010 to 2020 with a cardiac aetiology or initial shockable rhythm were included. A total of 959 individuals were discharged with an ICD, and 2046 were discharged without one.

Results

Among those experiencing events, 25% did so within 90 days in the ICD group, compared with 52% in the other group. All HRs favoured ICD implantation. The overall HR (95% CI) for ICD versus no ICD was 0.38 (0.26 to 0.56). The HR was 0.42 (0.28 to 0.63) in cases with initial shockable rhythm; 0.18 (0.06 to 0.58) in non-shockable rhythm; 0.32 (0.20 to 0.53) in cases with a history of coronary artery disease; 0.36 (0.22 to 0.61) in heart failure and 0.30 (0.13 to 0.69) in those with diabetes. Similar associations were noted in all subgroups.

Conclusion

Among survivors of OHCA, those discharged with an ICD had approximately 60% lower risk of death or recurrent cardiac arrest. A randomised trial is warranted to study this further.

Associations between facial expressions and observational pain in residents with dementia and chronic pain

Abstract

Aim

To identify specific facial expressions associated with pain behaviors using the PainChek application in residents with dementia.

Design

This is a secondary analysis from a study exploring the feasibility of PainChek to evaluate the effectiveness of a social robot (PARO) intervention on pain for residents with dementia from June to November 2021.

Methods

Participants experienced PARO individually five days per week for 15 min (once or twice) per day for three consecutive weeks. The PainChek app assessed each resident's pain levels before and after each session. The association between nine facial expressions and the adjusted PainChek scores was analyzed using a linear mixed model.

Results

A total of 1820 assessments were completed with 46 residents. Six facial expressions were significantly associated with a higher adjusted PainChek score. Horizontal mouth stretch showed the strongest association with the score, followed by brow lowering parting lips, wrinkling of the nose, raising of the upper lip and closing eyes. However, the presence of cheek raising, tightening of eyelids and pulling at the corner lip were not significantly associated with the score. Limitations of using the PainChek app were identified.

Conclusion

Six specific facial expressions were associated with observational pain scores in residents with dementia. Results indicate that automated real-time facial analysis is a promising approach to assessing pain in people with dementia. However, it requires further validation by human observers before it can be used for decision-making in clinical practice.

Impact

Pain is common in people with dementia, while assessing pain is challenging in this group. This study generated new evidence of facial expressions of pain in residents with dementia. Results will inform the development of valid artificial intelligence-based algorithms that will support healthcare professionals in identifying pain in people with dementia in clinical situations.

Reporting Method

The study adheres to the CONSORT reporting guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

One resident with dementia and two family members of people with dementia were consulted and involved in the study design, where they provided advice on the protocol, information sheets and consent forms, and offered valuable insights to ensure research quality and relevance.

Trial Registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number (ACTRN12621000837820).

Assessing the basic knowledge and awareness of dengue fever prevention among migrant workers in Klang Valley, Malaysia

by Maryam N. Chaudhary, Voon-Ching Lim, Erwin Martinez Faller, Pramod Regmi, Nirmal Aryal, Siti Nursheena Mohd Zain, Adzzie Shazleen Azman, Norhidayu Sahimin

Background

Globally, 390 million dengue virus infections occur per year. In Malaysia, migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to dengue fever (DF) due to mosquito breeding sites exposure and poor health literacy. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) assess the current DF knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), and (ii) identify strategies to promote DF awareness, among migrant workers in Klang Valley.

Method

A survey was conducted with 403 Nepali, Filipino and Indonesian migrant workers through phone interviews and online self-administered questionnaires. Piecewise structural equation modelling was applied to identify predictor variables for DF KAP.

Results

Most respondents were male, working in the services industry, had completed high school, aged between 30–39 years and with less than ten years work experience in Malaysia. Overall, respondents’ knowledge was positively correlated with attitude but negatively with practices. Older respondents, who had completed higher education, obtained higher knowledge scores. Similarly, those with working experience of >20 years in Malaysia obtained higher attitude scores. Respondents with a previous history of DF strongly considered the removal of mosquito breeding sites as their own responsibility, hence tended to frequently practise DF preventive measures. Respondents’ knowledge was also positively correlated to their understanding of DF information sourced from social media platforms.

Conclusion

These findings highlighted: (i) the need for targeted DF educational intervention among younger and newly arrived workers with lower levels of education and (ii) maximising the usage of social media platforms to improve DF public awareness.

Validation of a web-based self-administered test for cognitive assessment in a Swedish geriatric setting

by Einar Rystedt, Jakob Morén, Johan Lindbäck, Vitor Tedim Cruz, Martin Ingelsson, Lena Kilander, Nuno Lunet, Joana Pais, Luis Ruano, Gabriel Westman

Computerized cognitive tests have the potential to cost-effectively detect and monitor cognitive impairments and thereby facilitate treatment for these conditions. However, relatively few of these tests have been validated in a variety of populations. Brain on Track, a self-administered web-based test, has previously been shown to have a good ability to differentiate between healthy individuals and patients with cognitive impairment in Portuguese populations. The objective of this study was to validate the differential ability and evaluate the usability of Brain on Track in a Swedish memory clinic setting. Brain on Track was administered to 30 patients with mild cognitive impairment/mild dementia and 30 healthy controls, all scheduled to perform the test from home after one week and after three months. To evaluate the usability, the patient group was interviewed after completion of the testing phase. Patients scored lower than healthy controls at both the first (median score 42.4 vs 54.1, p

Pharmacogenomics of poor drug metabolism in greyhounds: Canine P450 oxidoreductase genetic variation, breed heterogeneity, and functional characterization

by Stephanie E. Martinez, Amit V. Pandey, Tania E. Perez Jimenez, Zhaohui Zhu, Michael H. Court

Greyhounds metabolize cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B11 substrates more slowly than other dog breeds. However, CYP2B11 gene variants associated with decreased CYP2B11 expression do not fully explain reduced CYP2B11 activity in this breed. P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is an essential redox partner for all CYPs. POR protein variants can enhance or repress CYP enzyme function in a CYP isoform and substrate dependent manner. The study objectives were to identify POR protein variants in greyhounds and determine their effect on coexpressed CYP2B11 and CYP2D15 enzyme function. Gene sequencing identified two missense variants (Glu315Gln and Asp570Glu) forming four alleles, POR-H1 (reference), POR-H2 (570Glu), POR-H3 (315Gln, 570Glu) and POR-H4 (315Gln). Out of 68 dog breeds surveyed, POR-H2 was widely distributed across multiple breeds, while POR-H3 was largely restricted to greyhounds and Scottish deerhounds (35% allele frequencies), and POR-H4 was rare. Three-dimensional protein structure modelling indicated significant effects of Glu315Gln (but not Asp570Glu) on protein flexibility through loss of a salt bridge between Glu315 and Arg519. Recombinant POR-H1 (reference) and each POR variant (H2-H4) were expressed alone or with CYP2B11 or CYP2D15 in insect cells. No substantial effects on POR protein expression or enzyme activity (cytochrome c reduction) were observed for any POR variant (versus POR-H1) when expressed alone or with CYP2B11 or CYP2D15. Furthermore, there were no effects on CYP2B11 or CYP2D15 protein expression, or on CYP2D15 enzyme kinetics by any POR variant (versus POR-H1). However, Vmax values for 7-benzyloxyresorufin, propofol and bupropion oxidation by CYP2B11 were significantly reduced by coexpression with POR-H3 (by 34–37%) and POR-H4 (by 65–72%) compared with POR-H1. Km values were unaffected. Our results indicate that the Glu315Gln mutation (common to POR-H3 and POR-H4) reduces CYP2B11 enzyme function without affecting at least one other major canine hepatic P450 (CYP2D15). Additional in vivo studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Posicionamiento ético de enfermería: del compromiso personal a la responsabilidad profesional

Los Principios éticos y bioéticos que rigen los cuidados de enfermería desde una perspectiva de los estudios de género, posicionan claramente a la enfermería en una ayuda desde la ética del cuidado a las mujeres víctimas de violencia de género, desde esta perspectiva  “Las enfermeras tienen la obligación de preservar, respetar y promover activamente los derechos de todas las personas a la salud, en todo momento y lugar. Este derecho incluye la obligación de cerciorarse de que se prestan los cuidados adecuados según los recursos disponibles y de conformidad con la ética de enfermería. Así mismo la enfermera está obligada a asegurarse de que las personas-pacientes reciben información adecuada en palabras comprensibles antes de dar su consentimiento al tratamiento, a los procedimientos, a su participación en una investigación”

Bajo el paradigma de la ética del cuidado la enfermera deberá mostrar:

Empatía para comprender y entender las demandas de las mujeres. Responsabilidad para implicarse en la salud de las mujeres.  Habilidades técnicas para prevención y detección precoz de la violencia de género.  Integridad moral (inherente a la profesión). Ser consciente de la labor asistencial, estar preparada para el abordaje psicológico, social y de género de las mujeres. Para poder transformar la violencia que sufren las mujeres, es decir, el maltrato real y simbólico, debemos estar dispuestas a asumir el compromiso siguiente:

No puede haber neutralidad ante el sufrimiento de las víctimas –la mujer, sus hijos e hijas. Para ofrecer una relación de ayuda a las mujeres víctimas los y las profesionales tenemos que estar convencidas y dispuestas a realizar un “trabajo” hacia un cambio personal.

Efectividad del cianocrilato en la reparación de heridas en cuero cabelludo, región ciliar y zona mentoniana en pediatría

Resumen:

Introducción. El uso en pediatría de adhesivos tisulares como el cianocrilato para el cierre de heridas ofrece ventajas significativas. Es un procedimiento sencillo rápido e indoloro, conformándose como una alternativa en la población pediátrica debido a las características específicas de estos pacientes. Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad del adhesivo tisular con cianocrilato en el cierre de heridas en zonas pilosas y mentón. Metodología. Se diseñó un estudio observacional prospectivo conformado por pacientes pediátricos que acudieron a urgencias con heridas que requerían sutura en zona mentoniana, ceja y cuero cabelludo. Se valoraron variables demográficas y clínicas, así como la colaboración del menor y grado de satisfacción de padres y profesionales tras la aplicación de cianocrilato. A los 3 meses se valoró la cicatrización. Los datos se analizaron mediante el programa estadístico SSPS. Resultados. Las heridas en zonas pilosas presentaron una correcta epitelización con un índice ≤ 2 según escala de Vancouver. Se establecieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la localización de la herida y su cicatrización (p<0.05). Se objetivó un grado de concordancia moderado entre la satisfacción de los padres y los profesionales con un p-valor < 0.001. Discusión. Los adhesivos tisulares con base de cianocrilato parecen una alternativa válida y segura para la reparación de heridas en zonas con folículo piloso. Cuenta con la aprobación de pacientes, familiares y profesionales que realizaron el procedimiento. Los resultados respecto a la cicatrización evaluados a los 3 meses son más satisfactorios en áreas pilosas.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The use of tissue adhesives like cyanoacrylate for wound closure in pediatrics offers significant advantages. It is a simple, fast, and painless procedure, making it an alternative in the pediatric population due to the specific characteristics of these patients. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of tissue adhesive with cyanoacrylate in closing wounds on the scalp or hairy areas and the chin region. Methodology. A prospective observational study was designed, consisting of pediatric patients who presented to the emergency department with wounds requiring sutures in the chin, eyebrow, and scalp areas. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed, as well as the cooperation of the child and the satisfaction level of parents and healthcare professionals after the application of cyanoacrylate. Scar healing was assessed at 3 months. Data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS. Results. Wounds in hairy areas showed proper epithelialization with an index ≤2 according to the Vancouver scale. Statistically significant differences were found in the relationship between wound location and its healing (p<0.05). Additionally, a moderate level of agreement was observed between parent and professional satisfaction, with a p-value <0.001. Discusión. Cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesives appear to be a valid and safe alternative for wound repair in areas with hair follicles. They are well-received by patients, their families, and the professionals who performed the procedure. The results regarding scar healing evaluated at 3 months are more satisfactory on the scalp and eyebrow compared to the chin region.

Supporting regional pandemic management by enabling self-service reporting—A case report

by Richard Gebler, Martin Lehmann, Maik Löwe, Mirko Gruhl, Markus Wolfien, Miriam Goldammer, Franziska Bathelt, Jens Karschau, Andreas Hasselberg, Veronika Bierbaum, Toni Lange, Katja Polotzek, Hanns-Christoph Held, Michael Albrecht, Jochen Schmitt, Martin Sedlmayr

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a need for better collaboration among research, care, and management in Germany as well as globally. Initially, there was a high demand for broad data collection across Germany, but as the pandemic evolved, localized data became increasingly necessary. Customized dashboards and tools were rapidly developed to provide timely and accurate information. In Saxony, the DISPENSE project was created to predict short-term hospital bed capacity demands, and while it was successful, continuous adjustments and the initial monolithic system architecture of the application made it difficult to customize and scale.

Methods

To analyze the current state of the DISPENSE tool, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the data processing steps and identified data flows underlying users’ metrics and dashboards. We also conducted a workshop to understand the different views and constraints of specific user groups, and brought together and clustered the information according to content-related service areas to determine functionality-related service groups. Based on this analysis, we developed a concept for the system architecture, modularized the main services by assigning specialized applications and integrated them into the existing system, allowing for self-service reporting and evaluation of the expert groups’ needs.

Results

We analyzed the applications’ dataflow and identified specific user groups. The functionalities of the monolithic application were divided into specific service groups for data processing, data storage, predictions, content visualization, and user management. After composition and implementation, we evaluated the new system architecture against the initial requirements by enabling self-service reporting to the users.

Discussion

By modularizing the monolithic application and creating a more flexible system, the challenges of rapidly changing requirements, growing need for information, and high administrative efforts were addressed.

Conclusion

We demonstrated an improved adaptation towards the needs of various user groups, increased efficiency, and reduced burden on administrators, while also enabling self-service functionalities and specialization of single applications on individual service groups.

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