Poor Recruitment Research Articles

The Barents and Norwegian Seas beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella): stock assessment and fishery management

An analytical review of the stock assessment and fishery regulation of the Barents and Norwegian Seas beaked redfish is presented. Model estimates of stock dynamics are characterized by uncertainty associated with incomplete coverage of the beaked redfish distribution in surveys, age determination problems, and assumptions made in the model. The regulation of fishing mortality is based on the precautionary approach, and the main management aim is achievement of the maximum sustainable yield. Technical measures include limiting the minimum mesh size in the trawl, establishing a minimum fish length for fishery, temporal fishery closures and limiting by-catch in multi-species fisheries. The unregulated fishery of the Norwegian-Barents Sea beaked redfish in the 1970s was one of the reasons for the decline in its stock and appearance of poor recruitment, which led to the ban on its targeted fishing in the Norwegian Economic Zone and in the fish protection area of the Svalbard. In 2014, the fishing was reopened. At present, the stock of beaked redfish of the Norwegian-Barents Sea population is in a safe state and further growth of the catch is expected.

The respiratory syncytial virus M2-2 protein is targeted for proteasome degradation and inhibits translation and stress granules assembly.

The M2-2 protein from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a 10 kDa protein expressed by the second ORF of the viral gene M2. During infection, M2-2 has been described as the polymerase cofactor responsible for promoting genome replication, which occurs by the induction of changes in interactions between the polymerase and other viral proteins at early stages of infection. Despite its well-explored role in the regulation of the polymerase activity, little has been made to investigate the relationship of M2-2 with cellular proteins. A previous report showed poor recruitment of M2-2 to viral structures, with the protein being mainly localized to the nucleus and cytoplasmic granules. To unravel which other functions M2-2 exerts during infection, we performed proteomic analysis of co-immunoprecipitated cellular partners, identifying enrichment of proteins involved with regulation of translation, protein folding and mRNA splicing. In approaches based on these data, we found that M2-2 expression downregulates eiF2α phosphorylation and inhibits both translation and stress granules assembly. Finally, we also verified that M2-2 is targeted for proteasome degradation, being localized to granules composed of defective ribosomal products at the cytoplasm. These results suggest that besides its functions in the replicative complex, M2-2 may exert additional functions to contribute to successful RSV infection.

Livestock and agriculture affect recruitment and the structure of a key palm for people and an endangered bird in semi-arid lands

The palm Syagrus coronata is a key non-timber forest products (NTFP) resource for the livelihood and income of people and is the main food item of the threatened endemic Lear's Macaw (Anadorhynchus leari) in semi-arid Brazil. To contribute to the planning conservation and management of this resource, we assessed how environmental and anthropogenic factors affect the natural regeneration and population structure of S. coronata and identified the relative importance of these factors in the abundance of life stages. We found that (1) recruitment failure occurs mostly in populations in agricultural and intensive grazing areas; (2) regeneration density was positively associated with the density of reproductive plants; and (3) current leaf or fruit harvesting levels were not detected to affect population density and recruitment. Populations subject to chronic anthropogenic disturbance, which lead to poor natural regeneration and recruitment bottlenecks, are likely to become locally extinct. Although populations of S. coronata are locally threatened, the persistence of the species in the landscape is currently ensured by its management and protection in different land uses by local populations that have this species as an important source of food and financial resources.

Providing multimedia information to children and young people increases recruitment to trials: pre-planned meta-analysis of SWATs

BackgroundRandomised controlled trials are often beset by problems with poor recruitment and retention. Information to support decisions on trial participation is usually provided as printed participant information sheets (PIS), which are often long, technical, and unappealing. Multimedia information (MMI), including animations and videos, may be a valuable alternative or complement to a PIS. The Trials Engagement in Children and Adolescents (TRECA) study compared MMI to PIS to investigate the effects on participant recruitment, retention, and quality of decision-making.MethodsWe undertook six SWATs (Study Within A Trial) within a series of host trials recruiting children and young people. Potential participants in the host trials were randomly allocated to receive MMI-only, PIS-only, or combined MMI + PIS. We recorded the rates of recruitment and retention (varying between 6 and 26 weeks post-randomisation) in each host trial. Potential participants approached about each host trial were asked to complete a nine-item Decision-Making Questionnaire (DMQ) to indicate their evaluation of the information and their reasons for participation/non-participation. Odds ratios were calculated and combined in a meta-analysis.ResultsData from 3/6 SWATs for which it was possible were combined in a meta-analysis (n = 1758). Potential participants allocated to MMI-only were more likely to be recruited to the host trial than those allocated to PIS-only (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.05, 2.28; p = 0.03). Those allocated to combined MMI + PIS compared to PIS-only were no more likely to be recruited to the host trial (OR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.53, 1.50; p = 0.67). Providing MMI rather than PIS did not impact on DMQ scores. Once children and young people had been recruited to host trials, their trial retention rates did not differ according to intervention allocation.ConclusionsProviding MMI-only increased the trial recruitment rate compared to PIS-only but did not affect DMQ scores. Combined MMI + PIS instead of PIS had no effect on recruitment or retention. MMIs are a useful tool for trial recruitment in children and young people, and they could reduce trial recruitment periods.

Antibacterial Thermosensitive Silver-Hydrogel Nanocomposite Improves Wound Healing.

Bacterial infection and poor cell recruitment are among the main factors that prolong wound healing. To address this, a strategy is required that can prevent infection while promoting tissue repair. Here, we have created a silver nanoparticle-based hydrogel composite that is antibacterial and provides nutrients for cell growth, while filling cavities of various geometries in wounds that are difficult to reach with other dressings. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by chemical reduction and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Using varying concentrations of AgNPs (200, 400, and 600 ppm), several collagen-based silver-hydrogel nanocomposite candidates were generated. The impact of these candidates on wound healing was assessed in a rat splinted wound model, while their ability to prevent wound infection from a contaminated surface was assessed using a rat subcutaneous infection model. Biocompatibility was assessed using the standard MTT assay and in vivo histological analyses. Synthesized AgNPs were spherical and stable, and while hydrogel alone did not have any antibacterial effect, AgNP-hydrogel composites showed significant antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. Wound healing was found to be accelerated with AgNP-hydrogel composite treatment, and no negative effects were observed compared to the control group. The formulations were non-cytotoxic and did not differ significantly in hematological and biochemical factors from the control group in the in vivo study. By presenting promising antibacterial and wound healing activities, silver-hydrogel nanocomposite offers a safe therapeutic option that can be used as a functional scaffold for an acceleration of wound healing.

Challenges and Effects of Poor Recruitment and Selection Process in Nigerian Workplace

Challenges and Effects of Poor Recruitment and Selection Process in Nigerian Workplace

Body condition of larval roundherring, Gilchristella aestuaria (family Clupeidae), in relation to harmful algal blooms in a warm-temperate estuary.

Eutrophication-driven harmful algal blooms (HABs) can have secondary effects on larval fishes that rely on estuaries as nurseries. However, few studies worldwide have quantified these effects despite the global rise in eutrophication. This study presents a novel approach using biochemical body condition analyses to evaluate the impact of HABs on the growth and body condition of the larvae of an estuarine resident fish. Recurrent phytoplankton blooms of Heterosigma akashiwo occur in the warm-temperate Sundays Estuary on the southeast coast of South Africa. The response in body condition and assemblage structure on larval estuarine roundherring (Gilchristella aestuaria) was measured in conjunction with bloom conditions, water quality and zooplanktonic prey and predators. Larvae and early juveniles were sampled during varying intensity levels, duration and frequency of hypereutrophic blooms. This study demonstrated that extensive HABs could significantly impact larval roundherring, G. aestuaria, by decreasing larval nutritional condition and limiting their growth, resulting in poor grow-out into the juvenile phase. Poor condition and growth may likely affect recruitment success to adult populations, and since G. aestuaria is an important forage fish and zooplanktivore, poor recruitment will hold consequences for estuarine food webs.

Recruitment and Selection Processes in Public Service Organizations: Rivers State Experience

This study examines recruitment and selection processes in public service organizations: Rivers State Experience. The problems caused by poor recruitment and selection processes have occupied the front burner of public discourse in recent time. This is due to the fact that governance have been privatized, personalized, recruitment and selection processes in public service organizations is currently mired by irregularities and unfair approaches. Mixed method was utilized with survey research design in this study. The population of the study is 1,979 for both organizations that were selected for the study, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) which is state public sector and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) which is Federal public sector. However, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has 654 population and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) 1,325. Taro Yamane’s formula was used to determine the sample size from the population which gave us 399 (three hundred and ninety nine) respondents for both organizations. Questionnaires were correctly filled and returned for analysis using SPSS 12 version. Descriptive statistics were used to interpret data on the socio-demography characteristics of respondents, while tables, percentage were used to present the result for clarity and better understanding. Multi-stage sampling techniques (including systematic sampling and simple random sampling) were used in this study. Findings of this study revealed among others that: the public sector organizations are bedevilled by political and ethnic appointments. Also, those suitable and qualified candidates are denied positions in line with political or ethnic affiliation, thus affecting efficiency and productivity of the organizations. Based on the findings the study recommended among others that: job trafficking that is gradually becoming a norm in the recruitment and selection processes into the Nigerian public service should receive a serious and urgent sanction. There should be a body and a law empowering such body to investigate and prosecute every recruitment malpractice. Such body should be involved in every recruitment to enable them get information about the processes.

The Feasibility of Goal Management Training to Address Cognitive Impairment in an Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Population: Findings from a Novel Case Series

AbstractPeople with alcohol use disorder (AUD) exhibit high rates of comorbidity with cognitive deficits, particularly for executive function (EF). Cognitive impairment has been related to poorer outcomes in substance use treatment. Goal management training (GMT), a structured, therapist-led manualised intervention targeting EF, has demonstrated positive preliminary results in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs.. However, these studies have had strict exclusion criteria (e.g. excluding clients with mental health disorders), and the feasibility of running such a program in a broader SUD outpatient setting is unclear. The primary aim of this study was to determine the outcomes and feasibility of a cognitive remediation intervention at an outpatient alcohol treatment service in Sydney, Australia. Clients were referred to the study based on risk of cognitive deficits (as indicated by objective cognitive impairment on a screening tool or relevant collateral clinical information). Eligibility criteria included diagnosis of a current alcohol use disorder and abstinence for 2 or more weeks. The intervention consisted of 9 weekly GMT sessions. Out of 34 clients referred, 11 were eligible to participate, and of these, five were allocated to the intervention group and two to a waitlist control group. Due to poor recruitment, statistical analyses between groups were not possible; instead, this study presents a case series of the five clients recruited to the 9-week group intervention using GMT. Clients engaged in the intervention presented with a range of deficits in their cognitive functioning at baseline. Despite positive comments from participants regarding the intervention, there was a high level of attrition; while four clients (80%) completed at least four sessions, only one participant remained until the end of the nine-session program. In its current form, this program is not suitable for this cohort in the outpatient setting. Suggestions are made for tailoring GMT and other approaches to increase engagement and retention in future interventions.

Deprescribing psychotropic medicines for behaviours that challenge in people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review

BackgroundClear evidence of overprescribing of psychotropic medicines to manage behaviours that challenges in people with intellectual disabilities has led to national programmes within the U.K. such as NHS England’s STOMP to address this. The focus of the intervention in our review was deprescribing of psychotropic medicines in children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Mental health symptomatology and quality of life were main outcomes.MethodsWe reviewed the evidence using databases Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL and Open Grey with an initial cut-off date of 22nd August 2020 and an update on 14th March 2022. The first reviewer (DA) extracted data using a bespoke form and appraised study quality using CASP and Murad tools. The second reviewer (CS) independently assessed a random 20% of papers.ResultsDatabase searching identified 8675 records with 54 studies included in the final analysis.The narrative synthesis suggests that psychotropic medicines can sometimes be deprescribed. Positive and negative consequences were reported. Positive effects on behaviour, mental and physical health were associated with an interdisciplinary model.ConclusionsThis is the first systematic review of the effects of deprescribing psychotropic medicines in people with intellectual disabilities which is not limited to antipsychotics. Main risks of bias were underpowered studies, poor recruitment processes, not accounting for other concurrent interventions and short follow up periods. Further research is needed to understand how to address the negative effects of deprescribing interventions.Trial registrationThe protocol was registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42019158079)

Autopsy of a failed trial part 1: A qualitative investigation of clinician's views on and experiences of the implementation of the DAISIES trial in UK-based intensive eating disorder services.

The DAISIES trial, comparing inpatient and stepped-care day patient treatment for adults with severe anorexia nervosa was prematurely terminated in March 2022 due to poor recruitment. This qualitative study seeks to understand the difficulties faced during the trial by investigating stakeholders' views on and experiences of its implementation. Semi-structured interview and focus group transcripts, and trial management and oversight group meeting minutes from May 2020-June 2022 were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were 47 clinicians and co-investigators involved with the DAISIES trial. The Non-Adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework was applied to the interpretive themes to classify barriers and facilitators to implementation. Five themes were identified: incompatible participation interests; changing standard practice; concerns around clinical management; systemic capacity and capability issues; and Covid-19 disrupting implementation. Applying the NASSS framework indicated the greatest implementation challenges to arise with the adopters (e.g. patients, clinicians), the organisational systems (e.g. service capacity), and the wider socio-political context (e.g. Covid-19 closing services). Our findings emphasise the top-down impact of systemic-level research implementation challenges. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic accentuated pre-existing organisational barriers to trial implementation within intensive eating disorder services, further limiting the capacity for research.

Challenges And Effects of Poor Recruitment and Selection Process in Nigerian Workplace

Challenges And Effects of Poor Recruitment and Selection Process in Nigerian Workplace

Participant Recruitment Issues in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinical Trials with a Focus on Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Literature.

Introduction: There is a strong need to conduct rigorous and robust trials for children and adolescents in mental health settings. One of the main barriers to meeting this requirement is the poor recruitment rate. Effective recruitment strategies are crucial for the success of a clinical trial, and therefore, we reviewed recruitment strategies in clinical trials on children and adolescents in mental health with a focus on prevention programs. Methods: We reviewed the literature by searching PubMed/Medline, the Cochrane Library database, and Web of Science through December 2022 as well as the reference lists of relevant articles. We included only studies describing recruitment strategies for pediatric clinical trials in mental health settings and extracted data on recruitment and completion rates. Results: The search yielded 13 studies that enrolled a total of 14,452 participants. Overall, studies mainly used social networks or clinical settings to recruit participants. Half of the studies used only one recruitment method. Using multiple recruitment methods (56.6%, 95%CI: 24.5-86.0) resulted in higher recruitment. The use of monetary incentives (47.0%, 95%CI: 24.6-70.0) enhanced the recruitment rate but not significantly (32.6%, 95%CI: 15.7-52.1). All types of recruitment methods showed high completion rates (82.9%, 95%CI: 61.7-97.5) even though prevention programs showed the smallest recruitment rate (76.1%, 95%CI: 50.9-94.4). Conclusions: Pediatric mental health clinical trials face many difficulties in recruitment. We found that these trials could benefit from faster and more efficient recruitment of participants when more than one method is implemented. Social networks can be helpful where ethically possible. We hope the description of these strategies will help foster innovation in recruitment for pediatric studies in mental health.

Clinical Crisis: When Your Therapist Needs Therapy!

Social workers are struggling within their professional and personal lives. Many clinical social workers who work in the mental health and medical field are struggling with poor health behaviors, secondary traumatic stress (STS), depression, anxiety, and burnout due to staff shortages, rapid turnover, compassion fatigue, and poor staff recruitment (Toh et al., 2018). Untreated trauma related to bereavement issues can result in PTSD and complicated grief symptoms in clinical populations when left untreated by a trained mental health clinician (Glad et al., 2022). Social work clinicians can expect therapeutic encounters to include discussions of deaths, loss, and reduced security contributing to negative mental health occurrences as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social workers who work with families and individuals who are experiencing trauma are often adversely affected by these interactions, resulting in negative outcomes for the social worker (Caringi et al., 2017). A recent study of the COVID-19 pandemic and related mental health issues found an increase in anxiety and mental health issues related to stress, grief, fear, and depression (Estes & Thompson, 2020). Many social work clinicians may require mental health treatment of their own COVID-19 experiences, while simultaneously developing vicarious trauma (VT) and countertransference issues as a result of working with a clinical population in the treatment setting.

Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention in Transplant Recipients

BackgroundImmunosuppressed organ-transplant recipients have an increased incidence of, and mortality from, skin cancer. Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) enhances the repair of ultraviolet (UV) radiation–induced DNA damage, reduces the cutaneous immunosuppressive effects of UV radiation, and reduces the incidence of keratinocyte cancers (including squamous-cell and basal-cell carcinomas) and actinic keratoses among high-risk immunocompetent patients. Whether oral nicotinamide is useful for skin-cancer chemoprevention in organ-transplant recipients is unclear.MethodsIn this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, organ-transplant recipients who had had at least two keratinocyte cancers in the past 5 years to receive 500 mg of nicotinamide or placebo twice daily for 12 months. Participants were examined for skin lesions by dermatologists at 3-month intervals for 12 months. The primary end point was the number of new keratinocyte cancers during the 12-month intervention period. Secondary end points included the numbers of squamous-cell and basal-cell carcinomas during the 12-month intervention period, the number of actinic keratoses until 6 months after randomization, safety, and quality of life.ResultsA total of 158 participants were enrolled, with 79 assigned to the nicotinamide group and 79 to the placebo group. The trial was stopped early owing to poor recruitment. At 12 months, there were 207 new keratinocyte cancers in the nicotinamide group and 210 in the placebo group (rate ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.8 to 1.3; P=0.96). No significant between-group differences in squamous-cell and basal-cell carcinoma counts, actinic keratosis counts, or quality-of-life scores were observed. Adverse events and changes in blood or urine laboratory variables were similar in the two groups.ConclusionsIn this 12-month, placebo-controlled trial, oral nicotinamide therapy did not lead to lower numbers of keratinocyte cancers or actinic keratoses in immunosuppressed solid-organ transplant recipients. (Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council; ONTRANS Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12617000599370.)

Therapeutic strategies for acute basilar-artery occlusion

Therapeutic strategies for acute basilar-artery occlusion

Lenalidomide Consolidation Added to Rituximab Maintenance Therapy in Patients Remaining PET Positive After Treatment for Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma: A Phase 2 Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group NHL26 Study.

Lenalidomide Consolidation Added to Rituximab Maintenance Therapy in Patients Remaining PET Positive After Treatment for Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma: A Phase 2 Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group NHL26 Study.

Non-erythropoiesis stimulating agent, non-iron therapies for the management of anemia: A scoping review.

Non-erythropoiesis stimulating agent, non-iron therapies for the management of anemia: A scoping review.

More and better clinical trials in health care: focusing on people, not just systems and processes.

More and better clinical trials in health care: focusing on people, not just systems and processes.

Abstract TP221: Protective Effects Of Galectin-3 On Endothelial Progenitor Cells Under Ischemic Conditions

Stroke remains the major cause of long term functional deficits and death with limited treatment options. Ischemic stroke leads to endothelial dysfunction, blood brain barrier disruption, poor angiogenesis, inflammation, and neuronal cell death. Stem/Progenitor cells including mesenchymal, neural, and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) can enhance tissue regeneration and repair. However, the beneficial effects of progenitor cells have been modest presumably due to their poor recruitment and survival in an ischemic microenvironment. Galectin-3 (Gal3), a β-galactoside-binding protein controls cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and migration/recruitment. We have shown that the expression of Gal3 is significantly up-regulated in ischemic rat brain, and that blocking of Gal3 decreases the cerebral blood vessel density. We recently demonstrated that Gal3 reduces cerebral infarction and enhances recovery of motor/sensory functions in an animal stroke model. In this study we examined the effects of Gal3 on bone marrow derived EPC. EPCs were characterized by the uptake of acetylated LDL and expression of CD34 and VEGFR2/KDR. We further demonstrate that Gal3 enhances the proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and survival of bone marrow derived EPCs in an in vitro ischemic conditions following oxygen glucose deprivation. Gal3 effects were associated with up-regulation of chemoattractant SDF1 and VEGF, further emphasizing the role of Gal3 in stem/progenitor function. Overall, these results indicate a key role for Gal3 in neuro-vascular protection and functional recovery following ischemic stroke through modulation of angiogenic and apoptotic pathways in progenitor cells.