bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body mass index in nursing home residents during the first year after admission
Authors: Vossius Corinna , Borda Miguel G. , Lichtwarck Bjørn , Myhre Janne , Sollid May Ingvild Volungholen , Borza Tom , Feiring Ingvild Hjorth , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Bergh Sverre
Published: March 2023

Background

Malnutrition - comprising both undernutrition and overweight - has to be addressed in the medical follow-up of older adults due to the negative consequences for the functional state and general health. Still, little is known about the nutritional state of nursing home (NH) residents, especially with respect to weight gain or weight loss after NH admission. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate changes in the body mass index (BMI) during the first year following NH admission, and to explore demographic and clinical characteristics related to BMI changes.

Methods

Data from two prospective studies that recruited participants at NH admission were combined. Demographic and clinical characteristics including the BMI were assessed at baseline and after one year. A linear regression model was estimated to explore the impact of demographic and clinical characteristics on the change in BMI.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 1,044 participants with a mean age of 84.3 years (SD7.6) at baseline; 64.2% were female. At baseline, 33% of the NH residents had severe to moderate undernutrition, while 10% were obese. During the first year of their NH stay, residents with severe to moderate undernutrition had an average increase in BMI of 1.3 kg/m2 (SD 2.2; p < 0.001), while weight changes were either very small or not significant in the other BMI groups. Characteristics related to weight gain were younger age and less agitation.

Conclusion

Malnutrition is a common health challenge at NH admission, with one third of NH residents being moderately to severely underweight and 10% being obese. However, during the first year of NH stay, there was a favourable development for underweight NH residents, as they increased their BMI, and 43.6% changed to a higher weight classification, while we observed no changes in the BMI in residents with obesity. As NH residents are in the last phase of their lives, interventions to prevent malnutrition or overweight should be initiated while still home-dwelling, and then continued in the nursing homes.
Group antenatal care: findings from a pilot randomised controlled trial of REACH Pregnancy Circles
Authors: Sawtell Mary , Wiggins Meg , Wiseman Octavia , Mehay Anita , McCourt Christine , Sweeney Lorna , Hatherall Bethan , Ahmed Tahania , Greenberg Lauren , Hunter Rachael , Hamborg Thomas , Eldridge Sandra , Harden Angela
Published: March 2023

Background

Antenatal care has the potential to impact positively on maternal and child outcomes, but traditional models of care in the UK have been shown to have limitations and particularly for those from deprived populations. Group antenatal care is an alternative model to traditional individual care. It combines conventional aspects of antenatal assessment with group discussion and support. Delivery of group antenatal care has been shown to be successful in various countries; there is now a need for a formal trial in the UK.

Method

An individual randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a model of group care (Pregnancy Circles) delivered in NHS settings serving populations with high levels of deprivation and diversity was conducted in an inner London NHS trust. This was an external pilot study for a potential fully powered RCT with integral economic evaluation. The pilot aimed to explore the feasibility of methods for the full trial. Inclusion criteria included pregnant with a due date in a certain range, 16 + years and living within specified geographic areas. Data were analysed for completeness and usability in a full trial; no hypothesis testing for between-group differences in outcome measures was undertaken. Pre-specified progression criteria corresponding to five feasibility measures were set. Additional aims were to assess the utility of our proposed outcome measures and different data collection routes. A process evaluation utilising interviews and observations was conducted.

Results

Seventy-four participants were randomised, two more than the a priori target. Three Pregnancy Circles of eight sessions each were run. Interviews were undertaken with ten pregnant participants, seven midwives and four other stakeholders; two observations of intervention sessions were conducted. Progression criteria were met at sufficient levels for all five measures: available recruitment numbers, recruitment rate, intervention uptake and retention and questionnaire completion rates. Outcome measure assessments showed feasibility and sufficient completion rates; the development of an economic evaluation composite measure of a ‘positive healthy birth’ was initiated.

Conclusion

Our pilot findings indicate that a full RCT would be feasible to conduct with a few adjustments related to recruitment processes, language support, accessibility of intervention premises and outcome assessment.

Trial registration

ISRCTN ISRCTN66925258. Retrospectively registered, 03 April 2017.
An intervention to support stroke survivors and their carers in the longer term: results of a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial (LoTS2Care)
Authors: Forster Anne , Ozer Seline , Brindle Richard , Barnard Lorna , Hardicre Natasha , Crocker Thomas F. , Chenery Marie , Moreau Lauren , Wright Alan , Burton Louisa-Jane , Hartley Suzanne , Hulme Claire , Dawkins Bryony , Holloway Ivana , House Allan , Hewison Jenny , Farrin Amanda ,   on behalf of the LoTS2Care Programme Team, Atkinson Ross , Prashar Arvin , Cornwall Nicola , Clarke David , Meads David , Schmitt Laetitia , Young John , Dickerson Josie , Hawkins Rebecca , McEachan Rosemary , Fay Matthew , McKevitt Christopher , Foy Robbie , Carter Gillian , Richardson Gillian , Roberts Elaine
Published: March 2023

Background

To address the limited provision of longer-term stroke care, we conducted a programme of research (LoTS2Care) to develop and test an intervention to form part of a replicable longer-term care strategy. New Start, a programme of facilitated self-management, was developed to be delivered at 6 months post-stroke by trained facilitators. Here, we report the findings from the final workstream of this programme, which aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a future definitive cluster randomised controlled trial of the developed intervention (New Start) to support stroke survivors and their carers in the longer term.

Methods

A feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in English and Welsh NHS stroke services. Stroke services (clusters) were randomised on a 1:1 basis to implement New Start or continue with usual care only. Community-dwelling stroke survivors between 4 and 6 months post-stroke were invited to participate in the trial by post. Outcome measures were collected via post at 3, 6 and 9 months after recruitment. Recruitment and follow-up rates, delivery and uptake of the intervention, data collection feasibility (including postal outcome measures of health and disability, mental well-being at 3, 6, and 9 months post-recruitment) and safety were assessed.

Results

Ten stroke services were recruited. A total of 1127 stroke survivors were screened for participation, and 269 were registered (New Start, n = 145; usual care, n = 124). Retention was high with 239 (89%) stroke survivors being available for follow-up at 9 months, and high return rates of postal questionnaires were achieved (80.3% at 9 months). Intervention training was successfully delivered, and New Start was offered to 95.2% of trial participants in the intervention arm. Uptake was variable, however, ranging from 11.8 to 75.0%. There were no safety concerns.

Conclusions

Stroke service recruitment and longer-term stroke survivor postal recruitment and outcome data collection are feasible; however, refinement of intervention targeting and delivery is required prior to undertaking a definitive trial.

Trial registration

ISRCTN38920246. Registered 22 June 2016 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN38920246).
The Building Emotional Awareness and Mental health (BEAM) program developed with a community partner for mothers of infants: protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial
Authors: Joyce Kayla M. , Rioux Charlie , MacKinnon Anna L. , Katz Laurence Y. , Reynolds Kristin , Kelly Lauren E. , Klassen Terry , Afifi Tracie O. , Mushquash Aislin R. , Clement Fiona M. , Chartier Mariette , Xie Elisabeth Bailin , Penner Kailey E. , Hunter Sandra , Berard Lindsay , Tomfohr-Madsen Lianne , Roos Leslie E.
Published: March 2023

Background

Drastic increases in the rates of maternal depression and anxiety have been reported since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Most programs aim to improve maternal mental health or parenting skills separately, despite it being more effective to target both concurrently. The Building Emotional Awareness and Mental health (BEAM) program was developed to address this gap. BEAM is a mobile health program aiming to mitigate the impacts of pandemic stress on family well-being. Since many family agencies lack infrastructure and personnel to adequately treat maternal mental health concerns, a partnership will occur with Family Dynamics (a local family agency) to address this unmet need. The study’s objective is to examine the feasibility of the BEAM program when delivered with a community partner to inform a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

A pilot RCT will be conducted with mothers who have depression and/or anxiety with a child 6–18 months old living in Manitoba, Canada. Mothers will be randomized to the 10 weeks of the BEAM program or a standard of care (i.e., MoodMission). Back-end App data (collected via Google Analytics and Firebase) will be used to examine feasibility, engagement, and accessibility of the BEAM program; cost-effectiveness will also be examined. Implementation elements (e.g., maternal depression [Patient Health Questionnaire-9] and anxiety [Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7]) will be piloted to estimate the effect size and variance for future sample size calculations.

Discussion

In partnership with a local family agency, BEAM holds the potential to promote maternal-child health via a cost-effective and an easily accessible program designed to scale. Results will provide insight into the feasibility of the BEAM program and will inform future RCTs.

Trial registration {2a}

This trial was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05398107) on May 31st, 2022.
Patterns of preschool children’s screen time, parent–child interactions, and cognitive development in early childhood: a pilot study
Authors: Rai Jasmine , Predy Madison , Wiebe Sandra A. , Rinaldi Christina , Zheng Yao , Carson Valerie
Published: March 2023

Background

The primary objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of a virtual study protocol for a future longitudinal study, including recruitment, study measures, and procedures. The secondary objective was to examine preliminary hypotheses of associations, including 1) the correlations between total duration and patterns of screen time and cognitive development, and 2) the differences in quality of parent–child interactions for two screen-based tasks and a storybook reading task.

Methods

Participants included 44 children aged 3 years and their parents from Edmonton, Alberta and surrounding areas. Children’s screen time patterns (i.e., type, device, content, context) were parental-reported using a 2-week online daily diary design. Children’s cognitive development (i.e., working memory, inhibitory control, self-control, and language) was measured virtually through a recorded Zoom session. Parent–child interactions during three separate tasks (i.e., video, electronic game, and storybook reading) were also measured virtually through a separate recorded Zoom session (n = 42). The quality of the interactions was determined by the Parent–Child Interaction System (PARCHISY). Descriptive statistics, Intra-class correlations (ICC), Spearman’s Rho correlations, and a one-way repeated measures ANOVA with a post-hoc Bonferroni test were conducted.

Results

All virtual protocol procedures ran smoothly. Most (70%) participants were recruited from four 1-week directly targeted Facebook ads. High completion rates and high inter-rater reliability in a random sample (Diary: 95% for 13/14 days; Cognitive development: 98% 3/4 tests, ICC > 0.93; Parent–child interactions: 100% for 3 tasks, Weighted Kappa ≥ 0.84) were observed for measures. Across cognitive development outcomes, medium effect sizes were observed for five correlations, with positive correlations observed with certain content (i.e., educational screen time) and negative associations observed for total screen time and certain types (show/movie/video viewing) and contexts (i.e., co-use). Medium and large effect sizes were observed for the differences in parent–child interaction quality between the three tasks.

Conclusions

The virtual study protocol appeared feasible. Preliminary findings suggest it may be important to go beyond total duration and consider type, content, and context when examining the association between screen time and cognitive development. A future longitudinal study using this virtual protocol will be conducted with a larger and more generalizable sample.
Effect of Godelieve Denys-Struyf (GDS) muscle and articulation chain treatment on clinical variables of patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar disc degeneration: a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lombardo Sidsel , Hilde Gunvor , Småstuen Milada Cvancarova , Grotle Margreth
Published: March 2023

Background

Patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) and lumbar disc degeneration are recommended to try out nonsurgical treatment options before surgery. There is need for good nonsurgical alternatives that can be adapted to the patient’s needs and level of function. The aim of this pilot trial was to test study feasibility of a future full randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the feasibility and benefit of the physiotherapy-based Godelieve Denys-Struyf (GDS) muscle and articulation chain treatment for patients with chronic LBP and lumbar disc degeneration referred to surgical assessment in a hospital outpatient clinic.

Methods

This study is a single-center, two-arm, single-blinded, pilot RCT conducted in a regional hospital in Norway. Patients of age 35–75 years with chronic (> 3 months) LBP and degenerative lumbar disc(s) verified by imaging were included. They filled in a baseline questionnaire prior to randomization, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), numerical rating scale for pain in back and pain in leg, and the EuroQoL 5L. Patients in the control group were free to use treatment as usual. Patients in the intervention group received 8 sessions over a period of 10 to 14 weeks of GDS muscle and articulation chain treatment.

Results

The recruitment rate was slow, approximately 3/4th of the referred patients met the inclusion criteria, but majority of eligible participants (94%) were willing to participate. A total of 30 patients were randomized into the two groups. The randomization led to skewed distribution of radiating leg pain in the two groups. All participants except one (97%) completed 4 months follow-up. No serious adverse events attributable to the trial treatments were reported. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and leg pain intensity scale were both suitable as primary outcomes in a full trial. The mean change in the ODI score was 8.7 (SD 16.1) points in the GDS arm, whereas there was a minor deterioration in the ODI scores of −3.7 (7.5) points in the control arm. A sample size calculation based on the ODI scores resulted in a number needed to treat of 3.

Conclusions

A future full RCT is feasible and would provide evidence about the effectiveness of a GDS treatment for patients with chronic LBP and lumbar disc degeneration.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: 910193.
Albumin-binding photosensitizer capable of targeting glioma via the SPARC pathway
Authors: Li Xingshu , Oh Jae Sang , Lee Yoonji , Lee Eun Chae , Yang Mengyao , Kwon Nahyun , Ha Tae Won , Hong Dong-Yong , Song Yena , Kim Hyun Kyu , Song Byung Hoo , Choi Sun , Lee Man Ryul , Yoon Juyoung
Published: March 2023

Background

Malignant glioma is among the most lethal and frequently occurring brain tumors, and the average survival period is 15 months. Existing chemotherapy has low tolerance and low blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability; therefore, the required drug dose cannot be accurately delivered to the tumor site, resulting in an insufficient drug effect.

Methods

Herein, we demonstrate a precision photodynamic tumor therapy using a photosensitizer (ZnPcS) capable of binding to albumin in situ, which can increase the permeability of the BBB and accurately target glioma. Albumin-binding ZnPcS was designed to pass through the BBB and bind to secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), which is abundant in the glioma plasma membrane.

Results

When the upper part of a mouse brain was irradiated using a laser (0.2 W cm
− 2
) after transplantation of glioma and injection of ZnPcS, tumor growth was inhibited by approximately 83.6%, and the 50% survival rate of the treatment group increased by 14 days compared to the control group. In glioma with knockout SPARC, the amount of ZnPcS entering the glioma was reduced by 63.1%, indicating that it can target glioma through the SPARC pathway.

Conclusion

This study showed that the use of albumin-binding photosensitizers is promising for the treatment of malignant gliomas.

Graphical Abstract
Is a correlation-based investment strategy beneficial for long-term international portfolio investors?
Authors: Narayan Seema Wati , Rehman Mobeen Ur , Ren Yi-Shuai , Ma Chaoqun
Published: March 2023

Using negative to low-correlated assets to manage short-term portfolio risk is not uncommon among investors, although the long-term benefits of this strategy remain unclear. This study examines the long-term benefits of the correlation strategy for portfolios based on the stock market in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America from 2000 to 2016. Our strategy is as follows. We develop five portfolios based on the average unconditional correlation between domestic and foreign assets from 2000 to 2016. This yields five regional portfolios based on low to high correlations. In the presence of selected economic and financial conditions, long-term diversification gains for each regional portfolio are evaluated using a panel cointegration-based testing method. Consistent across all portfolios and regions, our key cointegration results suggest that selecting a low-correlated portfolio to maximize diversification gains does not necessarily result in long-term diversification gains. Our empirical method, which also permits the estimation of cointegrating regressions, provides the opportunity to evaluate the impact of oil prices, U.S. stock market fluctuations, and investor sentiments on regional portfolios, as well as to hedge against these fluctuations. Finally, we extend our data to cover the years 2017–2022 and find that our main findings are robust.
Artificial intelligence applications and ethical challenges in oral and maxillo-facial cosmetic surgery: a narrative review
Authors: Rokhshad Rata , Keyhan Seied Omid , Yousefi Parisa
Published: March 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to using technologies to simulate human cognition to solve a specific problem. The rapid development of AI in the health sector has been attributed to the improvement of computing speed, exponential increase in data production, and routine data collection. In this paper, we review the current applications of AI for oral and maxillofacial (OMF) cosmetic surgery to provide surgeons with the fundamental technical elements needed to understand its potential. AI plays an increasingly important role in OMF cosmetic surgery in various settings, and its usage may raise ethical issues. In addition to machine learning algorithms (a subtype of AI), convolutional neural networks (a subtype of deep learning) are widely used in OMF cosmetic surgeries. Depending on their complexity, these networks can extract and process the elementary characteristics of an image. They are, therefore, commonly used in the diagnostic process for medical images and facial photos. AI algorithms have been used to assist surgeons with diagnosis, therapeutic decisions, preoperative planning, and outcome prediction and evaluation. AI algorithms complement human skills while minimizing shortcomings through their capabilities to learn, classify, predict, and detect. This algorithm should, however, be rigorously evaluated clinically, and a systematic ethical reflection should be conducted regarding data protection, diversity, and transparency. It is possible to revolutionize the practice of functional and aesthetic surgeries with 3D simulation models and AI models. Planning, decision-making, and evaluation during and after surgery can be improved with simulation systems. A surgical AI model can also perform time-consuming or challenging tasks for surgeons.
Sequential central retinal artery occlusions associated with cryoglobulinemia
Authors: Wang Patrick , Kanda Pushpinder , Wang Yao , Bal Manpartap
Published: March 2023

Background

Cryoglobulinemia, the presence of serum cryoglobulins which are immunoglobulins or complement components that precipitate at temperatures below 37 °C, commonly present with cutaneous manifestations initially, but are more rarely associated with ocular manifestations. To our knowledge, we report the first case of a patient presenting with sequential central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) associated with cryoglobulinemia.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old female with a history of indolent B-cell lymphoma associated cryoglobulinemia, treated hepatitis B infection and CRAO in the left eye presented with acute vision loss and diffuse retinal whitening with a cherry red spot in her right eye, suggestive of sequential CRAO. Laboratory studies revealed a cryocrit of 55% (normal  < 1%), elevated titres of cryoglobulin IgG at 1.98 g/L and cryoglobulin IgM at 3.78 g/L (normal  < 0.3 g/L)9, and elevated kappa free light chain at 283.5 mg/L (normal  < 0.06 g/L). Such elevated tires of cryoglobulins in the context of the patient’s CRAO raised suspicion of cryoglobulinemia associated CRAO. The patient was promptly referred to rheumatology and oncology and was admitted for treatment including intravenous methylprednisone, rituximab and bendamustine chemotherapy.

Conclusions

We report a patient with a complex medical history presenting with significant vision loss due to a sequential CRAO likely associated with cryoglobulinemia. Although a direct relationship between cryoglobulinemia and CRAO cannot be confirmed in this case, it highlights the importance of considering cryoglobulinemia in high-risk patients with prior history of hematological malignancy or chronic hepatitis infection.
Are all primary retinal detachments the same? Anatomic and functional differences between phakic and pseudophakic patients
Authors: Gibelalde Ane , Pinar-Sueiro Sergio , Ibarrondo Oliver , Martínez-Soroa Itziar , Mendicute Javier , Ruiz Miguel Miguel
Published: March 2023

Background

Given differences in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying primary retinal detachment (RD) as a function of the status of the lens, the objective was to explore differences between pseudophakic and phakic patients with primary RD.

Methods

A retrospective study including 821 patients who underwent surgery for RD [491 cases of phakic and 330 of pseudophakic RD (pRD and psRD, respectively)] in our hospital between 2012 and 2020.

Results

The mean age was 58.24 ± 12.76 years in the pRD group and 66.87 ± 11.18 years in the psRD group (p = 0.001). There were more men in both groups (70% and 64.23% of pseudophakic and phakic patients, respectively; p = 0.07). The most common location for the RD was superior in both groups (43.94% and 51.93% of pseudophakic and phakic patients, respectively), rates of inferior and total RD were somewhat higher in the psRD group (31.82% and 13.33% in pseudophakic vs 25.25% and 11.0% in phakic patients, p = 0.001). In pseudophakic and phakic patients respectively, macular involvement in 69.09% and 62.73% of cases (p = 0.067). Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was significantly more common in the psRD group (7.88% vs 3.6% in phakic patients, p = 0.01).The rate of final anatomic reattachment differed markedly between groups, with a higher rate in phakic (94.03%) than pseudophakic (87.27%) patients (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The specific pathogenic mechanism involved in psRD seems to be responsible for worse evolution characteristics which are associated with poorer final anatomic and functional outcomes in pseudophakic patients.
Clinicopathological classification of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis: possible refinement by measuring macrophage abundance
Authors: Jimenez Jesus , Kostelecky Nicolas , Mitchell Joshua D. , Zhang Kathleen W. , Lin Chieh-Yu , Lenihan Daniel J. , Lavine Kory J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) myocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. While endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is considered a gold standard for diagnosis, the sensitivity of EMB is not well defined. Additionally, the pathological features that correlate with the clinical diagnosis of ICI-associated myocarditis remain incompletely understood.

Methods

We retrospectively identified and reviewed the clinicopathological features of 26 patients with suspected ICI-associated myocarditis based on institutional major and minor criteria. Seventeen of these patients underwent EMB, and the histopathological features were assessed by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for CD68, a macrophage marker.

Results

Only 2/17 EMBs obtained from patients with suspected ICI myocarditis satisfied the Dallas criteria. Supplemental IHC staining and quantification of CD68+ macrophages identified an additional 7 patients with pathological features of myocardial inflammation (> 50 CD68+ cells/HPF). Macrophage abundance positively correlated with serum Troponin I (P = 0.010) and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, P = 0.047) concentration. Inclusion of CD68 IHC could have potentially changed the certainty of the diagnosis of ICI-associated myocarditis to definite in 6/17 cases.

Conclusions

While the Dallas criteria can identify a subset of ICI-associated myocarditis patients, quantification of macrophage abundance may expand the diagnostic role of EMB. Failure to meet the traditional Dallas Criteria should not exclude the diagnosis of myocarditis.
Misplacement of left ventricular vent into the aortic root during a re-do Bentall procedure: a case report
Authors: Kumamoto Taisuke , Hiraoka Chieko , Murakami Kotaro , Fujita Miki , Kunitoku Yuji , Kato Kiyohiko
Published: March 2023

Background

The left ventricular (LV) vent is commonly inserted via the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) and directed toward the LV cavity through the mitral valve. We report a rare case in which the tip of the LV vent was misplaced into the aortic root across the aortic valve.

Case presentation

An 88-year-old man was scheduled to undergo the Bentall procedure. After initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, the LV vent was inserted via the RSPV. Anterograde cardioplegia was administered via the aortic root cannula after the ascending aorta was cross-clamped. The electrocardiogram did not result in complete cardiac arrest, even after delivery of two-thirds of the planned dose. A transesophageal echocardiographic examination showed that the tip of the LV vent was misplaced into the aortic root across the aortic valve.

Conclusions

It is important to confirm the tip position by transesophageal echocardiography to prevent severe complications associated with the LV vent.
Falls leading to fracture and nutrition among older adults: a case–control study
Authors: Ardaneh Mahdieh , Fararouei Mohammad , Hassanzadeh Jafar
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Injurious falls, especially those leading to bone fracture, are major causes of death and disability among older people. Our aim was to measure the association of nutritional factors and physical activity with falls leading to fracture among Iranian older adults.

Methods

This is the second phase of a previously published case–control study on 300 patients and 590 controls.

Results

In addition to the socio-economic factors that were reported before, our results revealed that consumption of fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts reduced the risk of falling, whereas consumption of cheese, red meat, and sweets raised the risk of falls among the participants.

Conclusion

The results of our study suggested that diets rich in fish meat fruits and vegetables should be encouraged in the everyday life of older adults. We suggest health officials to take these important results into consideration when planning protective measures.
Customizable document control solution for 3D printing at the point-of-care
Authors: Lohss Maxwell , Hammersley Elliott , Ghodadra Anish
Published: March 2023

Background

The rapid expansion and anticipated U.S Food and Drug Administration regulation of 3D printing at the point-of-care necessitates the creation of robust quality management systems. A critical component of any quality management system is a document control system for the organization, tracking, signature collection, and distribution of manufacturing documentation. While off-the-shelf solutions for document control exist, external programs are costly and come with network security concerns. Here, we present our internally developed, cost-effective solution for an electronic document control system for 3D printing at the point-of-care.

Methods

We created a hybrid document control system by linking two commercially available platforms, Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Sign, using a customized document approval workflow.

Results

Our platform meets all Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Part 11 guidances.

Conclusion

Our hybrid solution for document control provides an affordable system for users to sort, manage, store, edit, and sign documents. The system can serve as a framework for other 3D printing programs to prepare for future U.S Food and Drug Administration regulation, improve the efficiency of 3D printing at the point-of-care, and enhance the quality of work produced by their respective program.
Evaluating the effectiveness of different perceptual training methods in a difficult visual discrimination task with ultrasound images
Authors: Marris Jessica E. , Perfors Andrew , Mitchell David , Wang Wayland , McCusker Mark W. , Lovell Timothy John Haynes , Gibson Robert N. , Gaillard Frank , Howe Piers D. L.
Published: March 2023

Recent work has shown that perceptual training can be used to improve the performance of novices in real-world visual classification tasks with medical images, but it is unclear which perceptual training methods are the most effective, especially for difficult medical image discrimination tasks. We investigated several different perceptual training methods with medically naïve participants in a difficult radiology task: identifying the degree of hepatic steatosis (fatty infiltration of the liver) in liver ultrasound images. In Experiment 1a (N = 90), participants completed four sessions of standard perceptual training, and participants in Experiment 1b (N = 71) completed four sessions of comparison training. There was a significant post-training improvement for both types of training, although performance was better when the trained task aligned with the task participants were tested on. In both experiments, performance initially improves rapidly, with learning becoming more gradual after the first training session. In Experiment 2 (N = 200), we explored the hypothesis that performance could be improved by combining perceptual training with explicit annotated feedback presented in a stepwise fashion. Although participants improved in all training conditions, performance was similar regardless of whether participants were given annotations, or underwent training in a stepwise fashion, both, or neither. Overall, we found that perceptual training can rapidly improve performance on a difficult radiology task, albeit not to a comparable level as expert performance, and that similar levels of performance were achieved across the perceptual training paradigms we compared.
Attitudes and perceptions towards postpartum contraceptive use among seroconcordant partners with HIV in rural Mozambique: a qualitative study
Authors: Sack Daniel E. , Emílio Almiro , Graves Erin , Matino Ariano , Paulo Paula , Aboobacar Arifo U. , De Schacht Caroline , Audet Carolyn M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Postpartum contraceptive uptake reduces short interpregnancy intervals, unintended pregnancies, and their negative sequalae: poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy in people living with HIV (PLHIV) also allows time to achieve viral suppression to reduce parent-to-child HIV transmission. There is scant understanding about how couples-based interventions impact postpartum contraceptive uptake among PLHIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We interviewed 38 recently pregnant people and 26 of their partners enrolled in the intervention arm of the Homens para Saúde Mais (HoPS+) [Men for Health Plus] trial to assess their perceptions of, attitudes towards, and experiences with contraceptive use. Individuals in the HoPS+ intervention arm received joint—as opposed to individual—HIV-related services during pregnancy and postpartum periods, six counseling and skills sessions, and nine sessions with a peer support couple. Our thematic analysis of the 64 in-depth interviews generated 14 deductive codes and 3 inductive codes across themes within the Information, Motivation, and Behavior Model of health behavior change.

Results

Participants reported accurate and inaccurate information about birth spacing and contraceptive methods. They described personal (health, economic, and religious) and social (gender norms, desired number of children) motivations for deciding whether to use contraceptives—with slightly different motivations among pregnant and non-pregnant partners. Finally, they explained the skills needed to overcome barriers to contraceptive use including how engagement in HoPS+ improved their shared decision-making skills and respect amongst partners—which facilitated postpartum contraceptive uptake. There were also several cases where non-pregnant partners unilaterally made family planning decisions despite disagreement from their partner.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that couples-based interventions during pregnancy and post-partum periods aimed at increasing postpartum contraceptive uptake must center pregnant partners’ desires. Specifically, pregnant partners should be allowed to titrate the level of non-pregnant partner involvement in intervention activities to avoid potentially emboldening harmful gender-based intercouple decision-making dynamics.
A high efficiency multi-module parallel RF inverter system for plasma induced hydrogen
Authors: Yao Tingting , Guan Yueshi , Wang Wei
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen energy plays an important role in achieving carbon neutralization, and plasma induced hydrogen is an effective production method. One challenge is how to guarantee high efficiency operation with wide power output range of the RF inverter system used to generate the plasma. In this paper, a multi-module parallel topology of a high-frequency inverter is analyzed, in which the power combining network can maintain the soft switching characteristics of the inverter modules. A control method of "ON/OFF + phase shift" is adopted to broaden the output power range of the inverter. The equivalent impedances of different modules are analyzed in detail. A four-module 13.56 MHz high-frequency inverter prototype is built and tested. The results show that the inverter can operate at high efficiency and wide output power range with efficiency improved by at least 5% compared with the traditional parameter design method without considering the effect of paralleled modules.
Coordination control method to block cascading failure of a renewable generation power system under line dynamic security
Authors: Ouyang Jinxin , Yu Jianfeng , Long Xiaoxuan , Diao Yanbo , Wang Jian
Published: March 2023

The large application of renewable energy generation (REG) has increased the risk of cascading failures in the power system. At the same time REG also provides the possibility of new approaches for the suppression of such failures. However, the capacity and position of the synchronous generator (SG) involved in regulation limit the power regulation speed (PRS) of REG to the overload line which is the main cause of cascading failures, while the PRS of SG is related to the position and shedding power. REG and SGs have difficulty in achieving effective cooperation under constraints of system power balance. Particularly, the dynamic variation of line flow during power regulation causes new problems for the accurate evaluation of line thermal safety under overload. Therefore, a new strategy for quantitatively coordinating shedding power and power regulation to block cascading failures in the dynamic security domain is proposed in this paper. The control capability and dynamic security domain of the overload line are modeled, and the coordination control method based on power regulation is then proposed to minimize shedding power. The algorithm for the optimal control scheme considers the constraints of load capacity, power source capacity and bus PRS. The correctness of the proposed method is verified using case studies.
Patients’ lived experience and reflections on long COVID: an interpretive phenomenological analysis within an integrated adult primary care psychology NHS service
Authors: Skilbeck Lilian , Spanton Christopher , Paton Michael
Published: March 2023

Background

Long Covid is an unknown illness which has been shown to affect sufferers regardless of mild initial COVID-19 or age. There is still a lot unknown about long COVID illness. There has been a call to understand this illness not only from a professional standpoint but also through the lived experience of patients. Patient reported outcomes through lived experience research is one such angle. To date, no research has explored the overall lived experiences and long COVID illness trajectory perspectives of the patients. This study aimed to gather patient reported outcomes of their long COVID through lived experience research. It recruited adult participants aged 18-years and over who had been referred to a primary care integrated psychology service. The study employed qualitative research using semi-structured interviews and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methodology.

Results

A total of eighteen participants completed the study. From their lived experiences, the participants uncovered the varied symptoms of long COVID. They also uncovered their lived progression of living with an unknown chronic illness. Common themes included uncertainty, mental and social impacts, and the processes of self-advocacy, mastering their symptoms, subjective recovery and future coping.

Conclusion

This study uncovered the lived experience of long COVID in participants. The results from this study uncovered the lived subjective biopsychosocial experiences of long COVID chronic illness. Traditionally, patients receive care and recommendations from healthcare professionals. However, as long COVID is a new illness, this care model was limited. The participants in the current study described being left with a sense of uncertainty and role confusion. However, participants were able to realize their locus of control over their long COVID illness progression. This illustrates that patients have the resources to uncover the unknowns of this new illness which could inform clinical practice and further research. This suggests that that long COVID needs to be approached from a biopsychosocial perspective which emphasises patient involvement.
Curriculum of bachelor’s degree in forensic science at Al Istiqlal University in Palestine and students’ evaluation of the model
Authors: Khalilia Walid M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Any science can be a forensic science (FS) if it has some justice application. Therefore, FS is an extremely interdisciplinary field at the interface of chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, law, criminology, and other related sciences. The Al Istiqlal University obtained the first and only license in Palestine to open a bachelor’s program specialized in FS, and there is a limited number of similar programs in the region, while there is growth around the world in this field. A full bachelor’s program in FS has been established at the Al Istiqlal University. This study aimed to describe the FS program model and its curricula and, in addition, evaluation of such a program from its students’ point of view. To achieve the aims of this study, a questionnaire was developed, and its validity and reliability were confirmed. The study sample consisted of all 35 male and female students enrolled in the FS program at the Al Istiqlal University for the spring semester of the academic years 2021–2022.

Results

After collecting and analyzing the study tool, the results showed that the students agreed on all the paragraphs of the questionnaire that encourage the specialization of FS according to the model established at the Al Istiqlal University. The overall degree of students’ evaluation of the FS program was high, and the total mean of the students’ responses for all study fields was 3.56. The total degree for determining the students’ evaluation of faculty members, students’ evaluation of curricula and contents, and students’ evaluation of academic support services came to a high degree with a means of 3.75, 3.51, and 3.42 respectively.

Conclusion

This study recommended the importance of the Bachelor of FS Program at the Al Istiqlal University and recommended developing disseminating and raising awareness of this new scientific field. The success of the Bachelor of FS program at the Al Istiqlal University is a model for the region to follow.
Efficacy of different combinations of microbial biocontrol agents against sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Kabdwal Bhupesh Chandra , Sharma Roopali , Kumar Arun , Kumar Satya , Singh K. P. , Srivastava R. M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani is one of the most important diseases worldwide, causing considerable yield losses. The estimation of losses due to sheath blight of rice in India has been reported to be up to 54.30%. As a consequence of this fact, eco-friendly approaches were explored in this investigation.

Results

The pathogen R. solani was isolated from the infected sheath of rice plant, which was identified and characterized on the basis of morphology and through molecular Sequencing. The sequences of ITS were submitted to NCBI GenBank and the accession number allotted is SUB11543577. In dual culture best two potential isolates of biocontrol agents were selected Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf27) and Trichoderma harzianum (Th47). Their different combinations with Herbal Kunapajala (HKJ) were tested in glasshouse, experimental field and farmers’ fields against sheath blight pathogen R. solani. The maximum plant vigor index was found in treatment combination P. fluorescens (27) + T. harzanium (47) + Herbal Kunapajala, seed treatment, soil drenching and three foliar applications. Minimum disease severity and incidence at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and 60DAS, maximum Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase Activity (PAL), Polyphenol Oxidase Activity (PPO) and Peroxidase Activity (PO) were also recorded in the same treatment. In field experiment the maximum population of biocontrol agents after 60 days of transplanting cfu/g soil for Trichoderma spp. (32.33 × 104) and Pseudomonas spp. (36.33 × 104) in rhizosphere and in rhizoplane. Maximum cfu/g soil for Trichoderma spp. (24.67 × 104) and Pseudomonas spp. (24.0 × 104) was observed in treatment Th + Pf + HKJ [seed treatment + soil drenching + foliar spray]. At experimental and farmers field minimum disease severity, disease incidence at 60 DAT was recorded in treatment Th + Pf + HKJ [seed treatment + soil drenching + foliar spray] and was at par with the chemical treatment Carbendazim, but the maximum yield was obtained in the treatment Th + PF + HKJ [seed treatment + soil drenching + foliar spray] due to the maximum growth promotion activity.

Conclusions

Among various treatment seed treatment, soil drenching and three foliar sprays with combination T. harzianum (47), P. fluorescens (27) and Herbal Kunapajala was found very effective in reducing the disease incidence, disease severity and increasing growth promotion activity at all conditions. Therefore, the recommendation of this investigation could be exploited under bio-intensive disease management program for sustainable cultivation of rice.
Possible repair of UV-damaged Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus DNA via generation of mutant carrying photolyase gene with DNA repair activity
Authors: Elmenofy Wael , Gomaa Lamis , Albeltagy Nourhan , Yasser Norhan , Mahmoud Alshaimaa , Osman Engy
Published: March 2023

Background

Baculoviruses can be inactivated by ultraviolet (UV) light, which limits their application as an efficient biopesticide. In an attempt to enhance virus resistance to UV inactivation, a photolyase gene, isolated from Spodoptera litura granulovirus (SpliGV), was expressed in a photolyase deficient Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliNPV) and the infectivity of recombinant virus expressing phr gene was determined after exposure to UV irradiation.

Results

Expression of the photolyase resulted in a fivefold resistance of virus occlusion bodies of the recombinant virus (vSpli-phr) compared to the wild type SpliNPV upon exposure to UV irradiation as measured by LC50 value when fed on S. littoralis neonate. Furthermore, the recombinant virus expressing phr showed a significant decrease in the time required for lethality than the control virus with about 22 h, as measured by ST50 value. Hence, expression of photolyase via vSpli-phr relatively may rescue the viral DNA damage caused by UV irradiation.

Conclusions

This study provided the evidence that the generated recombinant virus encoding a functioning photolyase, which may have implications for the development of a new generation of baculoviruses with enhanced insect pest management capabilities.