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Association between deep learning measured retinal vessel calibre and incident myocardial infarction in a retrospective cohort from the UK Biobank

Por: Wong · Y. L. · Yu · M. · Chong · C. · Yang · D. · Xu · D. · Lee · M. L. · Hsu · W. · Wong · T. Y. · Cheng · C. · Cheung · C. Y.
Background

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of global death. Prospective population-based studies have found that changes in retinal microvasculature are associated with the development of coronary artery disease. Recently, artificial intelligence deep learning (DL) algorithms have been developed for the fully automated assessment of retinal vessel calibres.

Methods

In this study, we validate the association between retinal vessel calibres measured by a DL system (Singapore I Vessel Assessment) and incident myocardial infarction (MI) and assess its incremental performance in discriminating patients with and without MI when added to risk prediction models, using a large UK Biobank cohort.

Results

Retinal arteriolar narrowing was significantly associated with incident MI in both the age, gender and fellow calibre-adjusted (HR=1.67 (95% CI: 1.19 to 2.36)) and multivariable models (HR=1.64 (95% CI: 1.16 to 2.32)) adjusted for age, gender and other cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes mellitus (DM) and cholesterol status. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.738 to 0.745 (p=0.018) in the age–gender-adjusted model and from 0.782 to 0.787 (p=0.010) in the multivariable model. The continuous net reclassification improvements (NRIs) were significant in the age and gender-adjusted (NRI=21.56 (95% CI: 3.33 to 33.42)) and the multivariable models (NRI=18.35 (95% CI: 6.27 to 32.61)). In the subgroup analysis, similar associations between retinal arteriolar narrowing and incident MI were observed, particularly for men (HR=1.62 (95% CI: 1.07 to 2.46)), non-smokers (HR=1.65 (95% CI: 1.13 to 2.42)), patients without DM (HR=1.73 (95% CI: 1.19 to 2.51)) and hypertensive patients (HR=1.95 (95% CI: 1.30 to 2.93)) in the multivariable models.

Conclusion

Our results support DL-based retinal vessel measurements as markers of incident MI in a predominantly Caucasian population.

Key elements to support primary healthcare nurses to thrive at work: A mixed‐methods sequential explanatory study

Abstract

Aim

Develop evidence-based recommendations for managers to support primary healthcare nurses to thrive at work.

Design

A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design.

Methods

National data were collected in 2020 via an e-survey based on a meta-analysis of antecedents of thriving from 213 primary healthcare nurses across New Zealand. Structural equation modelling analysis identified the key factors supporting primary healthcare nurses to thrive. This informed a second open-ended e-survey in 2022 of 19 nurses from one primary healthcare organization. The thematic analysis provided recommendations for improving management strategies to support thriving primary healthcare nurses.

Results

The vitality component of thriving significantly reduced burnout and intention to leave organization and profession. In contrast, the learning component of thriving had a significant positive effect on burnout. The key factors that support thriving at work are empowering leadership and perceived organizational supports (decreases burnout and intention to leave organization and profession through enhanced vitality). Recommendations for improving thriving were made in eight key areas: communication, effective management, professional development, scope of practice, autonomy, effective orientation, reward and work–life balance.

Conclusions

Vitality is important in reducing burnout and turnover intentions. While learning was identified as increasing burnout, professional development and training for managers were identified as essential. Hence, the vitality dimension of the thriving at work construct should be studied at the dimension level, but more research is needed into the impact of learning on thriving over time. Primary healthcare nurses have identified that empowering leadership and perceived organizational support are critical factors in supporting them to thrive, and they provide specific recommendations for managers to improve these factors in the clinical setting.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This study collected data from Registered Nurses only.

What Is Already Known

A plethora of existing research focuses on resilience in nurses rather than thriving at work. Enabling employees to thrive at work contributes to improved well-being and sustainable organizational performance.

What This Paper Adds

Empowering leadership and perceived organizational support are the key factors that support primary healthcare nurses to thrive at work. The vitality dimension of the thriving at work construct should be studied at the dimension level, and further research is needed into the impact of learning on thriving over time. Primary healthcare nurses recommend that managers focus on improving communication, management efficiency, professional development, scope of practice, autonomy, orientation, reward and work–life balance.

Biophysical and nutritional combination treatment for myosteatosis in patients with sarcopenia: a study protocol for single-blinded randomised controlled trial

Por: Li · M. C. M. · Cheng · Y. K. · Cui · C. · Chow · S. K. H. · Wong · R. M. Y. · Kwok · T. C. · Siu · P. M. · Yang · M. · Tian · M. · Rubin · C. · Welch · A. A. · Qin · L. · Law · S. W. · Cheung · W. H.
Introduction

Sarcopenia is characterised by age-related loss of skeletal muscle and function and is associated with risks of adverse outcomes. The prevalence of sarcopenia increases due to ageing population and effective interventions is in need. Previous studies showed that β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplement and vibration treatment (VT) enhanced muscle quality, while the coapplication of the two interventions had further improved muscle mass and function in sarcopenic mice model. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of this combination treatment in combating sarcopenia in older people. The findings of this study will demonstrate the effect of combination treatment as an alternative for managing sarcopenia.

Methods and analysis

In this single-blinded randomised controlled trial, subjects will be screened based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 definition. 200 subjects who are aged 65 or above and identified sarcopenic according to the AWGS algorithm will be recruited. They will be randomised to one of the following four groups: (1) Control+ONS; (2) HMB+ONS; (3) VT+ONS and (4) HMB+VT + ONS, where ONS stands for oral nutritional supplement. ONS will be taken in the form of protein formular once/day; HMB supplements will be 3 g/day; VT (35 Hz, 0.3 g, where g=gravitational acceleration) will be received for 20 mins/day and at least 3 days/week. The primary outcome assessments are muscle strength and function. Subjects will be assessed at baseline, 3-month and 6-month post treatment.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by Joint CUHK-NTEC (The Chinese University of Hong Kong and New Territories East Cluster) Clinical Research Management Office (Ref: CRE-2022.223-T) and conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki. Trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at academic conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05525039.

Evaluating the clinical relevance and reliability of outer retinal band length on optical coherence tomography in retinal disease: a cross-sectional study

Por: Cheung · R. · Ly · A. · Wang · H. · Kalloniatis · M. · Nivison-Smith · L.
Objectives

Hyper-reflective outer retinal band (HORB) disruptions are reported across a range of retinal disease, yet a reliable, easily implemented assessment method and thorough evaluation of their association to retinal disease is lacking. The purpose of the study was to assess the reliability of using magnitude estimation to evaluate HORB length and determine its association to visual acuity and retinal disease.

Design

Cross-sectional, retrospective study.

Setting

Patients attending a secondary eye care clinic in Sydney, Australia.

Participants

2039 unique consecutive patients were screened for inclusion between 2 November and 18 January 2021, and 600 were included in the study population. Patients were included if they were referred from primary care, presented for an initial, comprehensive eye examination during the study period, imaged with optical coherence tomography during their visit and over 18 years of age.

Primary outcome

Reliability of HORB length estimations and associations to clinical outcomes.

Results

Intragrader (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICCfovea=0.81; ICCworst=0.91) and intergrader (ICCfovea=0.78–0.79; ICCworst=0.75–0.88) agreement of HORB length was good to excellent. HORB length was significantly associated with age (p

Conclusion

HORB length is reliably assessed using magnitude estimation and may be useful as a surrogate biomarker of visual acuity. Several factors affect HORB length estimations, which may contribute to the lack of association to retinal disease and highlights the need for covariable adjustment when examining HORB disruptions.

Effectiveness of motivational strategies on physical activity behavior and associated outcomes in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling technique widely applied as a behavior change strategy. It has been adopted to help cancer patients modify health behaviors. The effectiveness of motivational interviewing on physical activity behavior and its associated outcomes in cancer patients is unclear.

Aim

The aim of this review was to determine the effect of motivational interviewing with other motivational strategies on physical activity behavior and associated outcomes in cancer patients.

Methods

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, following PRISMA guidelines. Eight English databases were searched from inception to October 2022. The outcomes were evaluated using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with fixed- and random-effects models. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0.

Results

Eight trials with 450 participants were identified, with sample sizes ranging from 25 to 87. The number of motivational interviewing sessions ranged from one to 12. The types of motivational strategy intervention varied. Apart from motivational interviewing, pedometers were frequently used as a strategy. The quality of the included studies differed, with one out of eight scoring low in the overall risk of bias. Our meta-analysis indicated that motivational interviewing with other motivational strategies significantly promoted the total physical activity level (SMD = 0.34, 95% confidence interval [0.10, 0.58], p = .005; low certainty), but not did not affect other physical and psychosocial outcomes.

Conclusion

The combination of motivational interviewing with other motivational strategies was beneficial in increasing the total physical activity level of cancer patients.

Linking Evidence to Action

Motivational interviewing can be a clinical communication skill that healthcare professionals, especially nurses, can acquire to motivate patients to change their behaviors to promote health. Future studies adopting motivational interviewing interventions could consider additional motivational strategies, such as pedometers, to maximize the benefits on physical activity behaviors.

Chinese family care partners of older adults in Canada have grit: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim

To explain the process taken by Chinese family care partners of older adults in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, to access health and social services in their communities. The research question was: What mechanisms and structures impact the agency of Chinese family care partners of older adults, in the process of assisting them to access health and social services?

Design

This qualitative study was informed by critical realism.

Methods

Chinese family care partners of older adults in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, were interviewed from August 2020 to June 2021. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis.

Findings

Twenty-eight Chinese family care partners expressed a firm commitment to maintain caregiving conditions and to judiciously access health and social services. Their commitment was made up of three parts: (a) legislative and cultural norms of family, work, and society; (b) their perseverance to fill gaps with limited social and financial resources; (c) the quality of their relationship to, and illness trajectory of the older adults. The social structures created tension in how Chinese family care partners made decisions, negotiated resources, and ultimately monitored and coordinated timely access with older adults.

Conclusion

Participants' commitment and perseverance were conceptualized as “grit,” central to their agency to conform to legislative and cultural norms. Moreover, findings support grit's power to motivate and sustain family caregiving, in order for older adults to age in place as long as possible with finite resources.

Implications for the profession

This study highlights the importance of cultural awareness education for nurses, enabling continuity of care at a systems level and for a more resilient healthcare system.

Impact

Family care partners' grit may be crucial for nurses to harness when together, they face limited access to culturally appropriate health and social services in a system grounded in values of equity and inclusion, as in Canada.

Reporting method

When writing this manuscript, we adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Patient or public involvement and engagement

No patient or public involvement.

Effectiveness of auricular acupoint therapy targeting menstrual pain for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a global public health concern affecting women's health and quality of life, leading to productivity loss and increased medical expenses. As a non-pharmacological intervention, auricular acupoint therapy (AAT) has been increasingly applied to treat PD, but the overall effectiveness remains unclear.

Aims

The aim of this review was to synthesize the effects of AAT targeting menstrual pain among females with PD.

Methods

Eight databases (PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data) and three registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN Registry and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry) were searched to identify existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 21 August 2022. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted the data, and appraised the methodological quality and the evidence strength using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and the GRADE approach.

Results

A total of 793 participants from 11 RCTs were included. Despite substantial heterogeneity, AAT was more effective in reducing menstrual pain and related symptoms than placebo and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). No significant subgroup differences were found between study locations as well as invasiveness, duration, type, acupoints number, ear selection and provider of AAT. Only minor adverse effects of AAT were reported.

Linking Evidence to Action

AAT can help women with PD, particularly those who are refrained from pharmaceuticals. Primary healthcare professionals, including nurses, can be well-equipped to provide evidence-based and effective AAT for people with PD. AAT can be used in a broader global clinical community. To provide an optimal effect and have wider usability, a unified practice standard is required, which would necessitate further adaptation of clinical care of people with PD. AAT effectively decreased menstrual pain and other accompanying symptoms of PD. More research is needed to identify effective AAT features and explore optimal therapy regimes for PD.

The role and outcomes of music listening for women in childbirth: An integrative review

To synthesise primary research on the role and use of music listening for women in childbirth.
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