bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Values and Prospective Pathway Signaling of miR-25 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Bioinformatics Analysis Based on Gene Expression Omnibus
Authors: Liu Yongzhong , Wei Ying , Liang Hanlin , Li Delan , Chen Kexu , Liang Shuyi
Published: April 2023

MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) are believed to significantly influence the occurrence and development of Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to clarify the action of hsa-miR-25-5p (miR-25) in NSCLC. Public datasets related to miR-25 expression from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)
were retrieved. MiR-25 expression in the retrieved datasets were calculated using a fix-effects model (REM). Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 15.0, with standard mean difference (SMD) as the effect size. Downloaded from GEO database, two mRNA datasets, GSE18842 and GSE101929,
was used to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using R 4.2.1 software. TargetScan and miRwalk 3.0 were used to predict hsa-miR-25-5p target genes. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were conducted. We constructed protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using
String and Cytoscape. The prognostic values of top 10 HUB genes were analyzed. Four datasets related to miR-25 expression were retrieved from GEO, including GSE27705, GSE29248, GSE63805 and GSE102286. The results of REM suggested that miR-25 expression was obviously increased in NSCLC versus
adjacent noncancerous lung tissues (SMD = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.36–0.84, P <0.001). 244 DEGs associated with both NSCLC and hsa-miR-25-5p were identified. Numerous DEGs were significantly enriched in the locus of cell membranes, playing the roles of protein binding, and biological
regulation. Based on PPI analysis, among the top 10 HUB genes, the high expressions of eight genes significantly reduced overall survival in NSCLC (CCNB1, RAD51AP1, MELK, NCAPH, MCM10, NUSAP, PRC1, BRCA). miR-25 displays an critical role in the biological process by binding target genes, influencing
prognosis in patients with NSCLC.
Effects of Macrophage Polarization Induced by Mesoporous Silicon-Based Curcumin-siRNA Nanoparticles on the Proliferation of Tendon Stem Cells
Authors: Xu Junxiang , Lin Qiji , Pan Lingxiao , Feng Zongxian , Zheng Minzhe
Published: April 2023

Studies have shown that curcumin (CUR)-siRNA can improve excessive fibrosis in the repair of patellar tendon (PT) injury. First, mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (NPs) (MES-SiN) were prepared by a sol–gel method. The small molecule CUR was adsorbed in the internal pore canal of
MES-Sin, and the cationic high molecular polyethyleneimine (PP) was adsorbed on the outer layer, which combined with negatively charged siRNA to form CUR@MES-SiN-PP/siRNA NPs. The preparation of NPs was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with
different concentrations of NPs, and cell viability was determined by methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The NPs were prepared by siRNA labeled with the fluorescent dye 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) and transfected into cells. The cellular uptake of the NPs was observed by confocal laser scanning
microscopy (CLSM) and TEM. A total of 80 SPF SD rats (10 weeks of age) were randomly assigned into two groups to establish a PT injury model. The rats in experimental (Exp) group were injected with CUR@MES-SiN-PP/siRNA NP solution (2 μg/g) in the abdomen for 14 d, and those in control
(Ctrl) group were injected with an equal dose of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The rectus femoris of 24 rats were taken from each group 12 h and 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, and 14 d after injury. Masson and hematoxylineosin were used to observe the degree of fibrosis of the PT tissue. The differentiation
of macrophages was observed by flow cytometry, and the proliferation of tendon stem cells was observed by immunofluorescence approaches such as Pax7. The results suggested that CUR@MES-SiN-PP/siRNA NPs were successfully fabricated. The NPs showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, the cell viability
remained above 90% at concentrations below 10 μg/mL, and the NPs were ingested by higher cells. After injury, the fibrotic area of Exp group was drastically decreased (P <0.05), and the regenerated muscle fiber area was increased (P <0.05). The number of M2-type
macrophages increased markedly 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, and 14 d after injury (P <0.05). Immunofluorescence showed that the proliferation of fluorescent cells 3 d after surgery was superior to that of Ctrl group (P <0.05).
SatERR: A Community Error Inventory for Satellite Microwave Observation Error Representation and Uncertainty Quantification
Authors: Yang John Xun , You Yalei , Blackwell William , Da Cheng , Kalnay Eugenia , Grassotti Christopher , Liu Quanhua (Mark) , Ferraro Ralph , Meng Huan , Zou Cheng-Zhi , Ho Shu-Peng , Yin Jifu , Petkovic Veljko , Hewison Timothy , Posselt Derek , Gambacorta Antonia , Draper David , Misra Sidharth , Kroodsma Rachael , Chen Min
Published: April 2023

Satellite observations are indispensable for weather forecasting, climate change monitoring, and environmental studies. Understanding and quantifying errors and uncertainties associated with satellite observations are essential for hardware calibration, data assimilation, and developing environmental and climate data records. Satellite observation errors can be classified into four categories: measurement, observation operator, representativeness, and preprocessing errors. Current methods for diagnosing observation errors still yield large uncertainties due to these complex errors. When simulating satellite errors, empirical errors are usually used, which do not always accurately represent the truth. We address these challenges by developing an error inventory simulator, the Satellite Error Representation and Realization (SatERR). SatERR can simulate a wide range of observation errors, from instrument measurement errors to model assimilation errors. Most of these errors are based on physical models, including existing and newly developed algorithms. SatERR takes a bottom-up approach: errors are generated from root sources and forward propagate through radiance and science products. This is different from, but complementary to, the top-down approach of current diagnostics, which inversely solves unknown errors. The impact of different errors can be quantified and partitioned, and a ground-truth testbed can be produced to test and refine diagnostic methods. SatERR is a community error inventory, open-source on GitHub, which can be expanded and refined with input from engineers, scientists, and modelers. This debut version of SatERR is centered on microwave sensors, covering traditional large satellites and small satellites operated by NOAA, NASA, and EUMETSAT.
Marriage in Politics, Politics in Marriage: A Transylvanian Parliamentary Representative's Kinship Networks at Political Turning Points
Authors: Iudean Ovidiu-Emil
Published: April 2023

The present study explores the other, less visible facet of marriage and politics, namely the way in which the latter shaped and contributed to the former. Through a close reading of an extensive correspondence kept by Romanian deputy in the Budapest Parliament and his spouse during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the paper offers a glimpse into the domesticity and affection present in the relationship that might have been regarded as a mere pragmatic choice, owing to the fact that it considerably advanced the Romanian politician's career. On the other hand, it looks at how the kinship network established through marriage strengthened and grew even after the politician lost the main link to his in-laws, their daughter. It offers several conclusions that serve to emphasize the need for more in-depth qualitative studies of how kinship and politics intertwined, to the benefit of both fields.
Study of direct water injection on knock suppressing and engine performance of a gasoline engine
Authors: Wu Zhijun , Gao Min , Cao Rui , Wu Jingtao , Deng Jun
Published: April 2023

Turbocharger technology has become an essential method for the internal combustion engine to improve fuel economy. However, too high a boost pressure leads to too high a temperature in the combustion chamber at the end of the compression stroke, which can cause knocking or worsen abnormal combustion. Water injection technology plays a role in cooling the intake air and components in the cylinder, which can control the combustion process and suppress knock. This work focused on the influence of direct water injection (DWI) on knock suppression and efficiency improvement using a small turbocharged gasoline engine, investigating the fuel-saving potential of DWI and the optimal strategy of DWI for different engine operating conditions. Taking knock intensity (KI) as the evaluation index, KI decreases from 0.052 to 0.04 MPa, and knock limit spark angle (KLSA) increases with increasing water injection. This work shows that the DWI strategy plays a critical role in earlier spark timing, optimized combustion phase, and improved efficiency. Fuel consumption decreases by 11.55% with the optimal DWI strategy at an operating condition of 2000 rpm and a brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 1.3 MPa. Moreover, the optimal water injection timing is at −180°CA under various engine loads. Due to the stronger knock tendency under higher load conditions, the knock suppression is less effective for the same amount of water, so more water injection mass is necessary for higher efficiency.
Substructural damage identification using autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs model and sparse regularization
Authors: Yu Hong , Zhu Hongping , Weng Shun , Wen Wangqing , Yan Aiguo , Yu Xingsheng
Published: April 2023

Substructuring approaches possess many superiorities over traditional global approaches in damage identification because large-size global structures are replaced by small and manageable substructures. This paper proposes a substructural time series model for locating and quantifying the damage in complex systems. A substructural autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) model is established to extract the frequencies and mode shapes of substructures as indicators for damage detection. The detection of structural damage is essentially an inverse problem, and the damage in structure bears sparse properties. The inverse problem of substructural damage identification is efficiently solved via sparse regularization, and structural damage can be located and quantified through the nonzero terms in the solution vector. The accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated by the numerical simulation of a frame structure and shaking table test of a shear building structure. As the substructural properties are more sensitive to local structural damage than the global properties, the substructural ARMAX model is quite accurate and efficient to be used in the damage identification of a complex system.
Suprapatellar vs infrapatellar approaches for intramedullary nailing of distal tibial fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Chen-Yuan , Tay Soon-Tzeh , Kuo Liang-Tseng
Published: April 2023

Background

This review was conducted to compare the efficacy of suprapatellar (SP) and infrapatellar (IP) approaches for treating distal tibial fractures with intramedullary nailing.

Method

This systematic review included studies comparing the outcomes of patients receiving nailing for distal tibial fractures using the SP and IP approaches. We searched the Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase databases for relevant studies till 18th Sep. 2022. We used the Newcastle Ottawa Scale to assess study quality and a random-effects meta-analysis to synthesize the outcomes. We used the mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous data and the odds ratio (OR) with the 95% CI for dichotomous data.

Results

Four studies with 586 patients (302 in the SP group and 284 in the IP group) were included in this systematic review. The SP group may have had little or no difference in pain and slightly better knee function (MD 3.90 points, 95% CI 0.83 to 5.36) and better ankle function (MD: 8.25 points, 95% CI 3.35 to 13.15) than the IP group 12 months after surgery. Furthermore, compared to the IP group, the SP group had a lower risk of malalignment (OR: 0.22, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.75; number needed to treat (NNT): 6), a lower risk for open reduction (OR: 0.58, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.97; NNT: 16) and a shorter surgical time (MD: − 15.14 min, 95% CI − 21.28 to − 9.00).

Conclusions

With more advantages, the suprapatellar approach may be the preferred nailing technique over the infrapatellar approach when treating distal tibial fractures.

Level of evidence: Level III, systematic review of non-randomized studies.
Chronic voluntary wheel running exercise ameliorates metabolic dysfunction via PGC-1α expression independently of FNDC5/irisin pathway in high fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Cho Chaeeun , Ji Minje , Cho Eunhee , Yi Seon , Kim Jae Geun , Lee Sewon
Published: April 2023

Exercise is an effective intervention to ameliorate metabolic diseases including obesity and insulin resistance, but the mechanisms involved in the metabolic amelioration have not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to determine whether AMPK–SIRT1–PGC-1α–FNDC5/Irisin-UCP1 expression is activated and whether metabolic dysfunction is ameliorated by chronic voluntary wheel running (VWR) in high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese mice. C57BL6J mice were randomly assigned into three groups at the age of 7 weeks for 10 weeks: normal chow diet (CON) group, HFD group, and HFD + VWR group. Chronic VWR ameliorates metabolic parameters and leads to increases in the expression of PGC-1α in the gastrocnemius muscle in HFD-induced obese mice. In contrast, the expression of AMPKα, SIRT1, and FNDC5, or circulating irisin levels did not lead to alteration. Improvement of metabolic health was partly mediated via PGC-1α expression by chronic VWR, but not FNDC5/Irisin pathway in HFD-induced obese mice.
iIL13Pred: improved prediction of IL-13 inducing peptides using popular machine learning classifiers
Authors: Arora Pooja , Periwal Neha , Goyal Yash , Sood Vikas , Kaur Baljeet
Published: April 2023

Background

Inflammatory mediators play havoc in several diseases including the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and generally correlate with the severity of the disease. Interleukin-13 (IL-13), is a pleiotropic cytokine that is known to be associated with airway inflammation in asthma and reactive airway diseases, in neoplastic and autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, the recent association of IL-13 with COVID-19 severity has sparked interest in this cytokine. Therefore characterization of new molecules which can regulate IL-13 induction might lead to novel therapeutics.

Results

Here, we present an improved prediction of IL-13-inducing peptides. The positive and negative datasets were obtained from a recent study (IL13Pred) and the Pfeature algorithm was used to compute features for the peptides. As compared to the state-of-the-art which used the regularization based feature selection technique (linear support vector classifier with the L1 penalty), we used a multivariate feature selection technique (minimum redundancy maximum relevance) to obtain non-redundant and highly relevant features. In the proposed study (improved IL-13 prediction (iIL13Pred)), the use of the mRMR feature selection method is instrumental in choosing the most discriminatory features of IL-13-inducing peptides with improved performance. We investigated seven common machine learning classifiers including Decision Tree, Gaussian Naïve Bayes, k-Nearest Neighbour, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and extreme gradient boosting to efficiently classify IL-13-inducing peptides. We report improved AUC, and MCC scores of 0.83 and 0.33 on validation data as compared to the current method.

Conclusions

Extensive benchmarking experiments suggest that the proposed method (iIL13Pred) could provide improved performance metrics in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, the area under the curve - receiver operating characteristics (AUCROC) and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) than the existing state-of-the-art approach (IL13Pred) on the validation dataset and an external dataset comprising of experimentally validated IL-13-inducing peptides. Additionally, the experiments were performed with an increased number of experimentally validated training datasets to obtain a more robust model. A user-friendly web server (www.soodlab.com/iil13pred) is also designed to facilitate rapid screening of IL-13-inducing peptides.
Single-nucleus gene and gene set expression-based similarity network fusion identifies autism molecular subtypes
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Ji Guoli , Gao Xilin , Guan Jinting
Published: April 2023

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is highly phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous. With the accumulation of biological sequencing data, more and more studies shift to molecular subtype-first approach, from identifying molecular subtypes based on genetic and molecular data to linking molecular subtypes with clinical manifestation, which can reduce heterogeneity before phenotypic profiling.

Results

In this study, we perform similarity network fusion to integrate gene and gene set expression data of multiple human brain cell types for ASD molecular subtype identification. Then we apply subtype-specific differential gene and gene set expression analyses to study expression patterns specific to molecular subtypes in each cell type. To demonstrate the biological and practical significance, we analyze the molecular subtypes, investigate their correlation with ASD clinical phenotype, and construct ASD molecular subtype prediction models.

Conclusions

The identified molecular subtype-specific gene and gene set expression may be used to differentiate ASD molecular subtypes, facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of ASD. Our method provides an analytical pipeline for the identification of molecular subtypes and even disease subtypes of complex disorders.
Application of advanced diffusion models from diffusion weighted imaging in a large cohort study of breast lesions
Authors: Ji Ying , Xu Junqi , Wang Zilin , Guo Xinyu , Kong Dexing , Wang He , Li Kangan
Published: April 2023

Background

To evaluate multiple parameters in multiple b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in characterizing breast lesions and predicting prognostic factors and molecular subtypes.

Methods

In total, 504 patients who underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequences, T2-weighted sequences and multiple b-value (7 values, from 0 to 3000 s/mm2) DWI were recruited. The average values of 13 parameters in 6 models were calculated and recorded. The pathological diagnosis of breast lesions was based on the latest World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

Results

Twelve parameters exhibited statistical significance in differentiating benign and malignant lesions. alpha demonstrated the highest sensitivity (89.5%), while sigma demonstrated the highest specificity (77.7%). The stretched-exponential model (SEM) demonstrated the highest sensitivity (90.8%), while the biexponential model demonstrated the highest specificity (80.8%). The highest AUC (0.882, 95% CI, 0.852–0.912) was achieved when all 13 parameters were combined. Prognostic factors were correlated with different parameters, but the correlation was relatively weak. Among the 6 parameters with significant differences among molecular subtypes of breast cancer, the Luminal A group and Luminal B (HER2 negative) group had relatively low values, and the HER2-enriched group and TNBC group had relatively high values.

Conclusions

All 13 parameters, independent or combined, provide valuable information in distinguishing malignant from benign breast lesions. These new parameters have limited meaning for predicting prognostic factors and molecular subtypes of malignant breast tumors.
Coronary computed tomography angiography study on the relationship between the Ramus Intermedius and Atherosclerosis in the bifurcation of the left main coronary artery
Authors: Zhang Dan-Qing , Xu Yan-Feng , Dong Ya-Peng , Yu Shu-Jing
Published: April 2023

Objective

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the ramus intermedius (RI) and atherosclerosis in the bifurcation of the left coronary artery (LCA).

Methods

Screening patients who underwent CCTA from January to September 2021, 100 patients with RI (RI group) and 100 patients without RI (no-RI group) were randomly enrolled, Evaluation of RI distribution characteristics and left main coronary artery(LM),Left anterior descending branch(LAD),left circumflex branch(LCX) proximal segment plaque distribution, measurement of LAD-LCX bifurcation angle(∠LAD-LCX),Comparison of the three distribution characteristics with the incidence of plaques in the left main trunk bifurcation area (LM, LAD, LCX) between groups and within the RI group.

Results

The difference in the incidence of plaques in the proximal LCX and the LM between the RI group and the no-RI group were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The incidence of plaques in the proximal LAD in the RI group was significantly higher than that in the non-RI group (77% versus 53%, P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups after PSM. A univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an RI was a risk factor for plaque formation in the proximal LAD (P < 0.001), and a multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an RI was not an independent risk factor for plaque formation in the proximal LAD (P > 0.05). When compared within the RI group, the difference in the incidence of plaques in the proximal segment of LAD, the proximal segment of LCX, and the LM among the different distribution groups of RI was not statistically significant, respectively (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

RI is not an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in the left coronary artery bifurcation zone, but it may indirectly increase the risk of atherosclerosis in the proximal segment of the LAD.
Vision-related quality of life is selectively affected by comorbidities in patients with geographic atrophy
Authors: Holm Ditte-Marie Leegaard , Nielsen Marie Krogh , Højsted Birte Bay , Sørensen Torben Lykke
Published: April 2023

Background

The atrophic late stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is termed geographic atrophy (GA), and affects visual acuity (VA) as well as quality of life (QoL). Previous studies have found that best-corrected VA (BCVA), the standard vision assessment often underrepresents functional deficits. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between atrophic lesion size, VA and QoL measured with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-39) in a Danish population. Moreover, we wanted to evaluate the correlation between comorbidities, behavioural factors, and QoL.

Methods

This was prospective clinical study of 51 patients with GA in one or both eyes, of these 45 patients had bilateral GA. Patients were consecutively included between April 2021 and February 2022. All patients filled in the VFQ-39 questionnaire except the subscales “ocular pain” and “peripheral vision.” Lesion size was measured from fundus autoflourescense images, and BCVA was assessed by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) protocol.

Results

We found an overall low score in each VFQ-39 subscale scores reflected by GA. Lesion size and VA were both significantly associated with all VFQ-39 subscale scores except for “general health.” VA showed a larger effect on QoL than lesion size. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was associated with a lower score in the subscale score “general health” but none of the other subscale scores were affected. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was associated with a lower BCVA as well as in QoL reflected in the subscale scores “poor general vision,” “near activities,” and “dependency” of VFQ-39.

Conclusion

Both atrophic lesion size and visual acuity affects QoL in Danish patients with GA, who reports an overall poor QoL. CVD seems to have a negative effect on disease, as well as in VFQ-39 in several subscales, whereas COPD did not affect disease severity or vision-related subscales in VFQ-39.
The role of self-esteem and emotion regulation in the associations between childhood trauma and mental health in adulthood: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Li Cun , Fu Peicai , Wang Minghuan , Xia Ye , Hu Caihong , Liu Mao , Zhang Han , Sheng Xin , Yang Yuan
Published: April 2023

Background

High levels of childhood trauma (CT) have been observed in adults with mental health problems. Herein, we investigated whether self-esteem (SE) and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal (CR) and expressive suppression (ES)) affect the association between CT and mental health in adulthood, including depression and anxiety symptoms.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 6057 individuals (39.99% women, median age = 34 y), recruited across China via the internet, who completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Self-esteem Scale (SES), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Multivariate linear regression analysis and bias-corrected percentile bootstrap methodologies were used to assess the mediating effect of SE, and hierarchical regression analysis and subgroup approach were performed to examine the moderating effects of emotion regulation strategies.

Results

After controlling for age and sex, we found that (1) SE mediated the associations between CT and depression symptoms in adulthood (indirect effect = 0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04–0.05, 36.2% mediated), and CT and anxiety symptoms in adulthood (indirect effect = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.03–0.04, 32.0% mediated); (2) CR moderated the association between CT and SE; and (3) ES moderated the association between of CT and mental health in adulthood via SE, and such that both the CT-SE and SE-mental health pathways were stronger when ES is high rather than low, resulting the indirect effect was stronger for high ES than for low ES.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that SE plays a partially mediating role in the association between CT and mental health in adulthood. Furthermore, ES aggravated the negative effect of CT on mental health in adulthood via SE. Interventions such as emotional expression training may help reduce the detrimental effects of CT on mental health.

Trial registration

The study was registered on http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx and the registration number was ChiCTR2200059155.
Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the external and internal shame scale (EISS)
Authors: Fekih-Romdhane Feten , Malaeb Diana , Dabbous Mariam , Hallit Rabih , Obeid Sahar , Hallit Souheil
Published: April 2023

Background

The concept of shame in Arab societies displays multiple differences when compared to Western societies in terms of nature, sources, types, and correlates. Surprisingly, we could not find any study investigating this increasingly important construct in Arab countries or the broad Arabic-speaking communities. This may likely be due to the lack of valid instruments assessing shame in the Arabic language. To address this major gap and contribute to the international literature, we sought to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the External and Internal Shame Scale (EISS) among a community sample of Arabic-speaking adults from Lebanon.

Methods

An online survey was conducted among Lebanese adults between July and August 2022. A total of 570 Lebanese adults completed the EISS, as well as Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, Other as shamer scale, and the Standardized Stigmatization Questionnaire. Exploratory-to-confirmatory (EFA-CFA) factor analyses were conducted.

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a unidimensional model of EISS scores, with all eight items retained. Scores achieved scalar invariance across gender, with no significant difference reported between females and males. EISS scores were found to have adequate composite reliability (McDonald’s ω = 0.88 for the total score); as well as adequate patterns of correlations with depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, as well as stigmatization scores. Finally, our analyses provide support to the concurrent validity of the Arabic version of the scale, by showing that the EISS total scores strongly correlated with the external shame measure “other as shamer”.

Conclusion

Although further validations are necessary before our findings could be generalized, we preliminarily suggest that this is a short, easy-to-use, self-report scale that enables a reliable and valid measure of the shame construct among Arabic-speaking people.
A peer-led, school-based social network intervention for young people in the UK, promoting sexual health via social media and conversations with friends: intervention development and optimisation of STASH
Authors: Purcell Carrie , McDaid Lisa , Forsyth Ross , Simpson Sharon A. , Elliott Lawrie , Bailey Julia V. , Moore Laurence , Mitchell Kirstin R.
Published: April 2023

Background

The quality of school-based sex and relationships education (SRE) is variable in the UK. Digitally-based interventions can usefully supplement teacher-delivered lessons and positively impact sexual health knowledge. Designed to address gaps in core SRE knowledge, STASH (Sexually Transmitted infections And Sexual Health) is a peer-led social network intervention adapted from the successful ASSIST (A Stop Smoking in Schools Trial) model, and based on Diffusion of Innovation theory. This paper describes how the STASH intervention was developed and refined.

Methods

Drawing on the Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development (6SQuID) framework, we tested a provisional programme theory through three iterative stages -: 1) evidence synthesis; 2) intervention co-production; and 3) adaptation - which incorporated evidence review, stakeholder consultation, and website co-development and piloting with young people, sexual health specialists, and educators. Multi-method results were analysed in a matrix of commonalities and differences.

Results

Over 21 months, intervention development comprised 20 activities within the three stages. 1) We identified gaps in SRE provision and online resources (e.g. around sexual consent, pleasure, digital literacy), and confirmed critical components including the core ASSIST peer nomination process, the support of schools, and alignment to the national curriculum. We reviewed candidate social media platforms, ruling out all except Facebook on basis of functionality restrictions which precluded their use for our purposes. 2) Drawing on these findings, as well as relevant behaviour change theories and core elements of the ASSIST model, we co-developed new content with young people and other stakeholders, tailored to sexual health and to delivery via closed Facebook groups, as well as face-to-face conversations. 3) A pilot in one school highlighted practical considerations, including around peer nomination, recruitment, awareness raising, and boundaries to message sharing. From this, a revised STASH intervention and programme theory were co-developed with stakeholders.

Conclusions

STASH intervention development required extensive adaptation from the ASSIST model. Although labour intensive, our robust co-development approach ensured that an optimised intervention was taken forward for feasibility testing. Evidencing a rigorous approach to operationalising existing intervention development guidance, this paper also highlights the significance of balancing competing stakeholder concerns, resource availability, and an ever-changing landscape for implementation.

Trial registration

ISRCTN97369178.
The trend of unintentional injury-related mortality among children aged under-five years in China, 2010–2020: a retrospective analysis from a national surveillance system
Authors: Yu Xue , Wang Yanping , He Chunhua , Kang Leni , Miao Lei , Wu Yan , Yang Shirong , Zhu Jun , Liang Juan , Li Qi , Dai Li , Li Xiaohong , Deng Kui , Tao Jing
Published: April 2023

Background

In this study, we estimated the trend of unintentional injury mortality among children aged under-five years in China during 2010–2020.

Methods

Data were obtained from China’s Under 5 Child Mortality Surveillance System (U5CMSS). The total unintentional injury mortality and all specific-causes unintentional injury mortality was calculated, annual numbers of deaths and live births were adjusted by a 3-year moving average under-reporting rate. The Poisson regression model and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method were used to calculate the average annual decline rate (AADR) and the adjusted relative risk (aRR) of the unintentional injury mortality.

Results

In 2010–2020, a total of 7,925 unintentional injury-related deaths were reported in U5CMSS, accounting for 18.7% of all reported deaths. The overall proportion of unintentional injury-related deaths to total under-five children deaths has increased from 15.2% to 2010 to 23.8% in 2020 (χ2 = 227.0, p < 0.001), the unintentional injury mortality significantly decreased from 249.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010 to 178.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, with an AADR 3.7% (95%CI 3.1–4.4). The unintentional injury mortality rate decreased from 2010 to 2020 in both urban (from 68.1 to 59.7 per 100,000 live births) and rural (from 323.1 to 230.0 per 100,000 live births) areas (urban: χ2 = 3.1, p < 0.08; rural: χ2 = 113.5, p < 0.001). The annual rates of decline in rural areas and urban areas were 4.2% (95%CI 3.4–4.9) and 1.5% (95%CI 0.1–3.3), respectively. The leading causes of unintentional injury mortality were suffocation (2,611, 32.9%), drowning (2,398, 30.3%), and traffic injury (1,428, 12.8%) in 2010–2020. The cause-specific of unintentional injury mortality rates decreased with varying AADRs in 2010–2020, except for traffic injury. The composition of unintentional injury-related deaths also varied by age group. Suffocation was the leading cause in infants, drowning and traffic injury were the leading causes in children aged 1–4 years. Suffocation and poisoning has high incidence in October to March and drowning has high in June to August.

Conclusion

The unintentional injury mortality rate of children aged under-five years decreased significantly from 2010 to 2020 in China, but great inequity exists in unintentional injury mortality in urban and rural areas. Unintentional injuries are still an important public health problem affecting the health of Chinese children. Effective strategies should be strengthened to reduce unintentional injury in children and these policies and programmes should be targeted to more specific populations, such as rural areas and males.
Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study
Authors: Ndupu Lawrence Bismarck , Staples Vicki , Lipka Sigrid , Faghy Mark , Bessadet Nawel , Bussell Chris
Published: April 2023

Background

Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for developing several chronic illnesses. However, despite strong evidence indicating the health benefits of physical activity, many university staff and students tend to be physically inactive. University settings provide a stable environment where behaviour change interventions can be implemented across multiple levels of change. The aim of this study is to examine the perceived barriers and enablers to physical activity among staff and students in a university setting, using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), a precursor of COM-B behaviour model.

Methods

This was a qualitative study carried out at a Midlands University in the United Kingdom. Eight group interviews were conducted with the sample (n = 40) consisting of 6 male and 15 female university staff (mean age = 40.5 ± 10.6 years) with different job roles (e.g., academic, administrative, cleaning and catering staff), and 12 male and 7 female students (mean age = 28.6 ± 4.7 years) at different stages of study (e.g., undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and imported into NVivo12 software, responses were mapped using the TDF where theory-driven deductive content analysis was used for data analysis.

Results

Six prominent domains were identified from the group interviews as enablers and/or barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: Environmental context and resources; intentions; social influences; knowledge; beliefs about capabilities; and social/professional role and identity. The themes emerging from the group interviews fit into all 14 domains of the TDF; however, 71% of the themes fit into the six most prominent domains.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that several enablers and barriers influence university staff and students’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to engage in physical activity. This study, therefore, provides a theoretical foundation to inform the development of bespoke interventions to increase physical activity among inactive university staff and students.
Should we change the treatment plan in early hepatocellular carcinoma with chronic kidney disease?
Authors: Chao Wu-Po , Chai Shion-Wei , Chiang Po-Hsing , Chou Ta-Chun , Chen Yi-Chan , Soong Ruey-Shyang
Published: April 2023

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been considered to be a poor prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, few studies have focused on early HCC and the impact of CKD on survival, which should be considered in curative treatment for early HCC.

Materials and methods

Patients with BCLC stage 0/A were enrolled from 2009 to 2019. A total of 383 patients were divided into Control group and CKD group, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of different treatments were determined using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

The Control group had a significantly better OS than the CKD group (72.6 months vs. 56.7 months; p = 0.003). DFS was similar between the groups (62.2 months vs. 63.8 months, p = 0.717). In the Control group, the surgically treated (OP) group had significantly superior OS (65.0 months vs. 80.0 months, p = 0.014) and DFS (50.9 months vs. 70.2 months, p = 0.020) than the radiofrequency ablation-treated group. In the CKD group, the OP group showed a survival advantage in OS (70.6 months vs. 49.2 months, p = 0.004), while DFS was similar between treatment groups (56.0 months vs. 62.2 months, p = 0.097).

Conclusion

CKD should not be considered to be a poor prognostic factor in early HCC patients. Moreover, hepatectomy should be carried out in CKD patient with early HCC for better prognosis if feasible.
Relationship between health literacy level and sexual function in women in the Northwest of Iran in 2020- a cross sectional study
Authors: Barikani Ameneh , Samani kia Mahsa , Khoshkchali Atefeh , Mirzadeh Monirsadat
Published: April 2023

Background and purpose

Sexual health means coordination and adaptation of physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of human beings. One of the variables that affect sexual function and sexual satisfaction is health literacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy level and sexual function in married women in Qazvin health centers.

Methods

In the cross-sectional study, 340 married women were selected from four health centers in Qazvin, Iran, in 2020. These selected centers were chosen randomly from 26 health centers. Participants were included in the study by using the proportional selection method based on the sample size of the all health centers. Data collection tools include three questionnaires: demographic information, The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HELIA), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered for statistical analyses.

Results

The highest and lowest scores of dimension’s sexual function are satisfaction, pain, and lubricant, respectively. The level of women’s health literacy in Qazvin was inadequate and borderline (56.4%). Each of the sexual function dimensions had significant positive correlations with health literacy (P < 0.001). There was a significant relationship between health literacy level with age, education, and occupation (P < 0.05). According to linear regression analysis, with the increase in years of marriage, sexual function is decreased (P < 0.02).

Conclusion

Health literacy was inadequate in more than half of the study sample and health literacy was significantly associated with sexual function. Educational programs were necessary in order to promote women’s health literacy in health centers.
Intention to take COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mekuriaw Begizew Yimenu , Nigatu Dabere , Dessie Anteneh Mengist , Asresie Melash Belachew
Published: April 2023

Background

Pregnant mothers are a risky population group for COVID-19 and pregnant mothers with COVID-19 are at increased risk of hospitalization, intensive-care unit admission, invasive ventilation support, and maternal mortality. Vaccination is an essential tool in stopping the effect of the pandemic on maternal and child health. However, there are only limited studies in Ethiopia on the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women. Thus, this study aimed to assess intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among pregnant women in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 590 pregnant women from 23 May to 07 July 2022. The study participants were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Interviewer administrative questionnaire with epicollect5 application was used to collect the data. Both bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Statistical significance was defined at a 95% CI with a p-value < 0.05.

Result

Overall, 19.8% (95% CI: 16.60–23.06%) of pregnant women intend to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Being urban residence (AOR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.71–6.78), third trimester of gestational age (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI: 1.61–6.03), multipara (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.33–3.97), knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.44–3.77) and having good attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.65–4.33) were significantly associated with intention to take COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pregnant women’s intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine in this study area was very low. It was significantly associated with residency, gestational age, parity, knowledge, and attitude toward the vaccine. Therefore, strengthening interventions that improve knowledge and attitude about the COVID-19 vaccine, predominantly among those primipara mothers and mothers from rural residences, may raise the intention to take it.
Exploring workplace violence on surgical wards in Sweden: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jakobsson Jenny , Örmon Karin , Axelsson Malin , Berthelsen Hanne
Published: April 2023

Background

Workplace violence is a global threat to healthcare professionals’ occupational health and safety and the situation has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore workplace violence directed against assistant and registered nurses working on surgical wards in Sweden.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2022. Using a convenience sampling procedure, 198 assistant and registered nurses responded to an online questionnaire developed for this specific study. The questionnaire comprised 52 items and included, among other items, subscales from validated and previously used instruments. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and independent-samples t-test.

Results

The most frequently reported type of workplace violence was humiliation (28.8%), followed by physical violence (24.2%), threats (17.7%), and unwanted sexual attention (12.1%). Patients and patients’ visitors were reported as the main perpetrators of all kinds of exposure. Additionally, one third of the respondents had experienced humiliation from colleagues. Both threats and humiliation showed negative associations with work motivation and health (p < 0.05). Respondents classified as working in a high- or moderate-risk environment were more frequently exposed to threats (p = 0.025) and humiliation (p = 0.003). Meanwhile, half of the respondents were unaware of any action plans or training regarding workplace violence. However, of those who indicated that they had been exposed to workplace violence, the majority had received quite a lot or a lot of support, mainly from colleagues (range 70.8-80.8%).

Conclusion

Despite a high prevalence of workplace violence, and especially of humiliating acts, there appeared to be low preparedness within the hospital organizations to prevent and/or handle such incidents. To improve these conditions, hospital organizations should place more emphasis on preventive measures as part of their systematic work environment management. To help inform such initiatives, it is suggested that future research should focus on the identification of suitable measures regarding different types of incidents, perpetrators, and settings.
Having to manage: culturally and linguistically diverse mothers’ lived experiences with sustained nurse home visiting programs
Authors: Bonakdar Tehrani Mehrnoush , Baird Kelly , Trajkovski Suza , Kemp Lynn
Published: April 2023

Background

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) mothers with young children with limited English proficiency (LEP) encounter multiple barriers in accessing and engaging with primary healthcare services. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of CALD mothers with LEP in receiving child and family health nursing (CFHN) services and sustained nurse home visiting (SNHV) programs.

Methods

Fourteen mothers were interviewed from two large Local Health Districts in Sydney. All interviews were audio-recorded for transcription purposes. Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA) was used for analysis and the socioecological approach was applied to interpret the data.

Results

CALD mothers with LEP experienced both challenges and facilitators in their access and engagement with CFHN services and SNHV programs that were identified in four themes: managing culture; managing the service system; managing the relationship; and strengths and weaknesses of CFHN services.

Conclusion

The integration of strategies such as building trusting relationships, using female professional interpreters and better understanding of CALD mothers’ cultural practices may address CALD mothers’ needs and facilitate communication. Design and development of model of support involving CALD mothers with LEP in ways that voice their ideas could meet their needs and contribute to better engagement of this vulnerable population with CFHN services and SNHV programs.