bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Prognostic Biomarkers in Papillary Thyroid Cancer and
Developing Non-Invasive Diagnostic Models Through Integrated Bioinformatics
Analysis
Authors: Oskouie Afsaneh Arefi , Ahmadi Mohammad Saeed , Taherkhani Amir
Published: January 2022

Background:

For the study purposes, the miRNA dataset GSE130512 was downloaded from the GEO
database and then analyzed to identify the common differentially expressed miRNAs in patients
with non-metastatic PTC (nm-PTC)/metastatic PTC (m-PTC) compared with BTNs. The SVM was
also applied to differentiate patients with PTC from those patients with BTN using the common
DEMs. A protein-protein interaction network was also constructed based on the targets of the common
DEMs. Next, functional analysis was performed, the hub genes were determined, and survival
analysis was then executed.

Methods:

For the study purposes, the miRNA dataset GSE130512 was downloaded from the GEO
database and then analyzed to identify the common differentially expressed miRNAs in patients
with non-metastatic PTC (nm-PTC)/metastatic PTC (m-PTC) compared with BTNs. The SVM was
also applied to differentiate patients with PTC from those patients with BTN using the common
DEMs. A protein-protein interaction network was also constructed based on the targets of the common
DEMs. Next, functional analysis was performed, the hub genes were determined, and survival
analysis was then executed.

Results:

A total of three common miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed among patients
with nm-PTC/m-PTC compared with BTNs. In addition, it was established that the autophagosome
maturation, ciliary basal body-plasma membrane docking, antigen processing as ubiquitination
& proteasome degradation, and class I MHC mediated antigen processing & presentation are
associated with the pathogenesis of PTC. Furthermore, it was illustrated that RPS6KB1, CCNT1,
SP1, and CHD4 might serve as new potential biomarkers for PTC prognosis.

Conclusions:

RPS6KB1, CCNT1, SP1, and CHD4 may be considered new potential biomarkers
used for prognostic aims in PTC. However, performing validation tests is inevitable in the future.
The Risk of Opportunistic Infections in Patients with Inflammatory
Bowel Disease
Authors: Ghanaeipour Maede , Behnaminia Nima , Khadem Erfan , Nafari Amirhossein
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Immunity-related issues are the main concerns of patients undergoing in-flammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment. The treatment of IBD during the last decade has evolved due to the ever-increasing utilization of immunomodulators, which has caused the poten-tial of contracting opportunistic infections to become the main immunity concern for patients affected by IBD.

Methods:

Studies on opportunistic infections in patients with IBD identified in databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus were reviewed and included.

Results:

IBD patients are a high-risk population for opportunistic infections, with age being a significant factor. The primary therapy for IBD patients includes the suppression of the immunity system, together with immunodeficiency and biological treatments, which, first of all, must be standardized. Since treatment with suppressive medicine, which is the original method for curing IBD, causes viral infections and the growth of various bacteria, factors suppressing the body's immunity system must be temporarily suspended, or the consumption dosage of sensitive antibi-otics should be reduced. Biological treatment and anti-integrin antibodies will lead to the danger of being affected by opportunistic infections in patients with IBD.

Conclusion:

Worldwide research society must conduct further research into a therapeutic strategy for IBD patients to reduce susceptibility and the risk of opportunistic infection. Information about how these individuals and the medicines they were given reacted to different infections and more detailed clinical observations are required.
influence of the board commissioners’s characteristics on conservatism with gender as a moderating variable
Authors: Trisnayanti Ida Ayu Ivon , Wirama Dewa Gede , Ratnadi Ni Made Dwi , Gayatri Gayatri
Published: January 2022

Accounting conservatism can limit the opportunistic behaviour of managers who act to maximize their interests. One of the good corporate governance mechanisms, which is the characteristics of the board of commissioners, can strengthen the implementation of conservatism in the company. In this study, researchers wanted to examine the effect of independent commissioners and audit committees on conservatism with gender as a moderating variable. The research population is publicly listed companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2015-2019. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. Research testing uses moderated regression that has model feasibility is tested with the classical assumption test. The results showed that conservatism increased with the presence of an audit committee. The audit committee can provide specific suggestions to be more conservative in making decisions. However, the results showed that conservatism was not affected by the proportion of independent commissioners. The results also show that the presence of women strengthens the relationship of the audit committee to conservatism.
Changes in structural, physicochemical properties and digestibility of partial hydrolyzed and annealed maize starch
Authors:   Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, HCMC University of Technology and Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Trinh Khanh Son , Le Hai Luu ,   Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, HCMC University of Technology and Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Published: January 2022

The objective of this study is to create modified starch with high RS content (especially heat resistant RS) through the combination of two techniques of restricted hydrolysis and annealing. Native maize starch was partially hydrolyzed in HCl solution at room temperature for 4, 14, 23, and 30h. Then, native starch (NC) and partially hydrolyzed starch (PAH) were annealed (ANN) at 50°C for 24h. The structural, physicochemical, and in vitro digestibility properties were measured. The apparent amylose content (AAC) was slightly increased at low hydrolysis level (HL) whilst decreased sharply at high HL. AAC was almost unchanged after annealing. Intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight and degree of polymerization decreased after PAH treatment whilst increased after ANN. The α-helix/amorphous ratio (AH/AMS) did not change much after PAH although it slightly increased after ANN. Relative crystallinity (DRC) increased slightly at low DH and decreased sharply at too high HL. Furthermore, ANN treatment increased DRC. The crystal pattern (A-type) did not change after PAH and ANN treatment. The gelatinization temperature of starch decreased after double modification. In terms of in vitro digestibility, the content of rapidly digested starch (RDS) increased but resistant starch (RS) significantly decreased after gelatinization pre-treatment. The content of resistant starch (RS) and boiling-stable resistant starch (bRS) increased sharply after PAH and ANN treatment. In particular, the highest bRS reached 24.2% under double treatment. While, the maximum bRS of PAH, ANN, and NC starches were 15.2%, 8.9%, and 4.2%, respectively. Actually, native starch contains poor properties and functions and is not suitable for industrial applications. In fact, the production of chemically modified starch with special technological features or high RS concentration is very interesting. In this study, the combination of the two processing techniques (PAH and ANN) significantly increased RS, especially bRS, which is capable of controlling blood glucose, body weight, and other benefits to human health.
The COVID-19 Geropsychiatry Rounds: A Curriculum for Healthcare Providers
Authors:   Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA, Seritan Andreea L. ,   UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, California, USA
Published: January 2022

Older adults’ mental health needs significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Geriatric psychiatry is an area of extreme workforce shortage globally. A novel curriculum was developed to educate healthcare providers on COVID-19-related geriatric and geropsychiatry topics. Monthly lectures were presented from November 2020 to June 2021. Evaluations were collected after each lecture via an anonymous survey. Overall lecture quality and relevance for the participants’ clinical practices were rated on a 1-3 Likert-type scale. 217 participants attended lectures; 72 evaluations were collected (33% response rate). Overall lecture rating score was 2.82 ± 0.38 and relevance score was 2.77 ± 0.45. The curriculum was well received and relevant to participants. Future studies should collect more details regarding participants’ clinical practices. To our knowledge, this is the first COVID-19-related geriatric psychiatry curriculum developed to educate healthcare providers and empower them to care for older adults during the pandemic.
Acoustic and Facial Features From Clinical Interviews for Machine Learning–Based Psychiatric Diagnosis: Algorithm Development
Authors: Birnbaum Michael L , Abrami Avner , Heisig Stephen , Ali Asra , Arenare Elizabeth , Agurto Carla , Lu Nathaniel , Kane John M , Cecchi Guillermo
Published: January 2022

Background

In contrast to all other areas of medicine, psychiatry is still nearly entirely reliant on subjective assessments such as patient self-report and clinical observation. The lack of objective information on which to base clinical decisions can contribute to reduced quality of care. Behavioral health clinicians need objective and reliable patient data to support effective targeted interventions.

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether reliable inferences—psychiatric signs, symptoms, and diagnoses—can be extracted from audiovisual patterns in recorded evaluation interviews of participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder.

Methods

We obtained audiovisual data from 89 participants (mean age 25.3 years; male: 48/89, 53.9%; female: 41/89, 46.1%): individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (n=41), individuals with bipolar disorder (n=21), and healthy volunteers (n=27). We developed machine learning models based on acoustic and facial movement features extracted from participant interviews to predict diagnoses and detect clinician-coded neuropsychiatric symptoms, and we assessed model performance using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) in 5-fold cross-validation.

Results

The model successfully differentiated between schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder (AUROC 0.73) when aggregating face and voice features. Facial action units including cheek-raising muscle (AUROC 0.64) and chin-raising muscle (AUROC 0.74) provided the strongest signal for men. Vocal features, such as energy in the frequency band 1 to 4 kHz (AUROC 0.80) and spectral harmonicity (AUROC 0.78), provided the strongest signal for women. Lip corner–pulling muscle signal discriminated between diagnoses for both men (AUROC 0.61) and women (AUROC 0.62). Several psychiatric signs and symptoms were successfully inferred: blunted affect (AUROC 0.81), avolition (AUROC 0.72), lack of vocal inflection (AUROC 0.71), asociality (AUROC 0.63), and worthlessness (AUROC 0.61).

Conclusions

This study represents advancement in efforts to capitalize on digital data to improve diagnostic assessment and supports the development of a new generation of innovative clinical tools by employing acoustic and facial data analysis.
The Beneficial Effect of the First COVID-19 Lockdown on Undergraduate Students of Education: Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Joseph Gili , Schori Hadas
Published: January 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading consistently since the beginning of 2020. On February 27, 2020, the first patient with coronavirus was diagnosed in Israel. On March 14, 2020, the Israeli government declared a general lockdown that lasted about a month, which altered the lives of the entire population.

Objective

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the change in the well-being, physical activity, and sleep quality of undergraduate students of education at 2 time points: before (November 2019) and during (April 2020) the first COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods

In total, 533 undergraduate students of education submitted an online questionnaire before the lockdown and at its end. The questionnaire comprised 4 parts: a (1) sociodemographic and (2) weekly exercise questionnaire taken from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form; (3) sleep quality, rated using the Mini Sleep Questionnaire; and (4) well-being, rated using the short version of the Mental Health Inventory. This was a pre-post prospective cohort questionnaire study.

Results

It was predicted that there would be a decrease in the aforementioned parameters. Contrary to all expectations, an increase was observed in all 3. Results showed that during the lockdown, there was an increase in the level of exercise students engaged in. Overall, 102 (61.4%) of 166 students engaged in a greater amount of physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown compared to 150 (40.9%) of 367 students who engaged in a greater amount of physical activity before COVID-19. Levels of sleep quality (mean 5.34 [SD 0.92] vs mean 5.12 [SD 0.46], P=.02) and well-being (mean 3.79 [SD 0.62] vs mean 3.67 [SD 0.59], P=.02) were also higher during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that undergraduate students seem to have taken advantage of the change in lifestyle due to the lockdown, directing the free time toward improving health by engaging in more physical activity, thus improving sleep quality and well-being.
Effectiveness, User Engagement and Experience, and Safety of a Mobile App (Lumi Nova) Delivering Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Strategies to Manage Anxiety in Children via Immersive Gaming Technology: Preliminary Evaluation Study
Authors: Lockwood Joanna , Williams Laura , Martin Jennifer L , Rathee Manjul , Hill Claire
Published: January 2022

Background

Childhood anxiety disorders are a prevalent mental health problem that can be treated effectively with cognitive behavioral therapy, in which exposure is a key component; however, access to treatment is poor. Mobile-based apps on smartphones or tablets may facilitate the delivery of evidence-based therapy for child anxiety, thereby overcoming the access and engagement barriers of traditional treatment. Apps that deliver therapeutic content via immersive gaming technology could offer an effective, highly engaging, and flexible treatment proposition.

Objective

In this paper, we aim to describe a preliminary multi-method evaluation of Lumi Nova, a mobile app intervention targeting mild to moderate anxiety problems in children aged 7-12 years using exposure therapy delivered via an immersive game. The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness, user engagement and experience, and safety of the beta version of Lumi Nova.

Methods

Lumi Nova was co-designed with children, parents, teachers, clinicians, game industry experts, and academic partnerships. In total, 120 community-based children with mild to moderate anxiety and their guardians were enrolled to participate in an 8-week pilot study. The outcome measures captured the app’s effectiveness (anxiety symptoms, child-identified goal-based outcomes, and functional impairment), user engagement (game play data and ease-of-use ratings), and safety (mood ratings and adverse events). The outcome measures before and after the intervention were available for 30 children (age: mean 9.8, SD 1.7 years; girls: 18/30, 60%; White: 24/30, 80%). Additional game play data were automatically generated for 67 children (age: mean 9.6, SD 1.53 years; girls: 35/67, 52%; White: 42/67, 63%). Postintervention open-response data from 53% (16/30) of guardians relating to the primary objectives were also examined.

Results

Playing Lumi Nova was effective in reducing anxiety symptom severity over the 8-week period of game play (t29=2.79; P=.009; Cohen d=0.35) and making progress toward treatment goals (z=2.43; P=.02), but there were no improvements in relation to functional impairment. Children found it easy to play the game and engaged safely with therapeutic content. However, the positive effects were small, and there were limitations to the game play data.

Conclusions

This preliminary study provides initial evidence that an immersive mobile game app may safely benefit children experiencing mild to moderate anxiety. It also demonstrates the value of the rigorous evaluation of digital interventions during the development process to rapidly improve readiness for full market launch.
COVID-19 and Vitamin D Misinformation on YouTube: Content Analysis
Authors: Quinn Emma K , Fenton Shelby , Ford-Sahibzada Chelsea A , Harper Andrew , Marcon Alessandro R , Caulfield Timothy , Fazel Sajjad S , Peters Cheryl E
Published: January 2022

Background

The “infodemic” accompanying the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has the potential to increase avoidable spread as well as engagement in risky health behaviors. Although social media platforms, such as YouTube, can be an inexpensive and effective method of sharing accurate health information, inaccurate and misleading information shared on YouTube can be dangerous for viewers. The confusing nature of data and claims surrounding the benefits of vitamin D, particularly in the prevention or cure of COVID-19, influences both viewers and the general “immune boosting” commercial interest.

Objective

The aim of this study was to ascertain how information on vitamin D and COVID-19 was presented on YouTube in 2020.

Methods

YouTube video results for the search terms “COVID,” “coronavirus,” and “vitamin D” were collected and analyzed for content themes and deemed useful or misleading based on the accuracy or inaccuracy of the content. Qualitative content analysis and simple statistical analysis were used to determine the prevalence and frequency of concerning content, such as confusing correlation with causation regarding vitamin D benefits.

Results

In total, 77 videos with a combined 10,225,763 views (at the time of data collection) were included in the analysis, with over three-quarters of them containing misleading content about COVID-19 and vitamin D. In addition, 45 (58%) of the 77 videos confused the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19, with 46 (85%) of 54 videos stating that vitamin D has preventative or curative abilities. The major contributors to these videos were medical professionals with YouTube accounts. Vitamin D recommendations that do not align with the current literature were frequently suggested, including taking supplementation higher than the recommended safe dosage or seeking intentional solar UV radiation exposure.

Conclusions

The spread of misinformation is particularly alarming when spread by medical professionals, and existing data suggesting vitamin D has immune-boosting abilities can add to viewer confusion or mistrust in health information. Further, the suggestions made in the videos may increase the risks of other poor health outcomes, such as skin cancer from solar UV radiation.
Risk Factors Associated With Dengue in District Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, From September 2 to November 24, 2019: Case-Control Study
Authors: Ajam Saba , Khan Muhammad Qasim , Ashraf Nosheen , Malik Muhammad Wasif , Baig Zeeshan Iqbal , Ranjha Muazzam Abbas , Chaudhary Ambreen , Khan Mumtaz Ali , Ansari Jamil A , Ikram Aamer
Published: January 2022

Background

Dengue is a vector-borne disease endemic to Pakistan as well as to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 300 confirmed cases of dengue were reported in District Khyber in 2019, where a prompt response was initiated by the Disease Surveillance and Response Unit. Subsequently, a study was planned to identify the risk factors associated with dengue and to propose recommendations for containment of the disease.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with dengue in District Khyber and to provide recommendations for improving the existing system and preventing dengue.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted in District Khyber from September 2 to November 24, 2019. Cases were enrolled from health care facilities based on predefined criteria, which included the presence of clinical signs and symptoms as well as laboratory confirmation of dengue NS1 antigen. Controls were enrolled from the community at a case-control ratio of 1:2. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire in face-to-face interviews.

Results

A total of 300 cases were enrolled; 87% (263) of cases were men. This study found that 45% (269/601; odds ratio [OR] 15, 95% CI 9.9-24.07; P<.001) of enrolled participants did not use bed nets and 39% (236/601; OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.4; P<.001) did not use mosquito repellents. A total of 39% (233/601; OR 16.6, 95% CI 11.11-24.93; P<.001) of enrolled participants who tested positive for dengue were neighbors, 35% (213/601; OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.0; P<.001) lived in a joint family, and 40% (241/601; OR 3.32, 95% CI 2.3-4.7; P<.001) slept outdoors; these factors were significantly associated with dengue.

Conclusions

Dengue is a preventable disease and can be controlled by the proper use of bed nets and mosquito repellents, modification of sleeping habits, and improvement in family structure. Dengue management training for health care personnel and community awareness are recommended.
Descriptive Analysis of Health Screening for COVID-19 at Points of Entry in Pakistan According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines From February 2020 to March 2021
Authors: Usman Shamaila , Sattar Afreen , Shahzad Khurram , Khan Mumtaz Ali , Baig Zeeshan Iqbal , Malik Muhammad Wasif , Ansari Jamil , Ashraf Nosheen , Akram Aamer
Published: January 2022

Background

Points of entry (POE) in Pakistan serve as key conduits for international travel, transport, and trade. The Central Health Establishment is the key stakeholder in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities at POE and National Action Plan 2020 for COVID-19. A comprehensive screening plan (involving more than 4 million passengers to date) was carried out effectively despite a few limitations.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the system attributes of health screening measures for COVID-19 at POE according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines with the aim of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the system and formulating recommendations to improve the system.

Methods

A descriptive study on the CDC guidelines for health screening at POE was conducted at the Directorate of Central Health Establishments from February 2020 to March 2021. The CDC guidelines are based on 11 attributes to be implemented for COVID-19 health screening at POE; these include legal and regulatory bodies to detain the traveler as suspect, isolation and coordination at POE, funds for screening, quarantine facilities equipped with basic necessities and communication channels for the quarantined travelers, referral health care facilities for POE, protocols for primary and secondary screening, capacity building, supply of personal protective equipment and screening tools, isolation areas, and provision of basic facilities at POE. Data were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Web-based questionnaires and in-depth interviews for personnel in charge and quarantine assistants at POE were completed. Analysis of the Central Health Establishment’s information system was performed to assess management of traveler surveillance.

Results

The 11 attributes for health screening according to the CDC guidelines were addressed and well implemented at POE by the Central Health Establishment under the flagship of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation, and Coordination. Primary health screening of 4,088,119 inbound travelers was conducted. Secondary health screening led to the referral of 415 suspected cases of COVID-19 to hospitals. A total of 74,833 polymerase chain reaction tests for COVID-19 were performed at airports for inbound travelers, with a positivity rate of 0.6%. A total of 19,130 international flights were screened during the study period.

Conclusions

Preparedness and response for COVID-19 at POE are in line with the National Action Plan of the Government of Pakistan and International Health Regulations (2005).
Investigation of Carers’ Perspectives of Dementia Misconceptions on Twitter: Focus Group Study (Preprint)
Authors: Hudson Georgie , Jansli Sonja M , Erturk Sinan , Morris Daniel , Odoi Clarissa M , Clayton-Turner Angela , Bray Vanessa , Yourston Gill , Clouden Doreen , Proudfoot David , Cornwall Andrew , Waldron Claire , Wykes Til , Jilka Sagar
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Dementia misconceptions on social media are common, with negative effects on people with the condition, their carers, and those who know them. This study codeveloped a thematic framework with carers to understand the forms these misconceptions take on Twitter.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to identify and analyze types of dementia conversations on Twitter using participatory methods.

METHODS

A total of 3 focus groups with dementia carers were held to develop a framework of dementia misconceptions based on their experiences. Dementia-related tweets were collected from Twitter’s official application programming interface using neutral and negative search terms defined by the literature and by carers (N=48,211). A sample of these tweets was selected with equal numbers of neutral and negative words (n=1497), which was validated in individual ratings by carers. We then used the framework to analyze, in detail, a sample of carer-rated negative tweets (n=863).

RESULTS

A total of 25.94% (12,507/48,211) of our tweet corpus contained negative search terms about dementia. The carers’ framework had 3 negative and 3 neutral categories. Our thematic analysis of carer-rated negative tweets found 9 themes, including the use of weaponizing language to insult politicians (469/863, 54.3%), using dehumanizing or outdated words or statements about members of the public (n=143, 16.6%), unfounded claims about the cures or causes of dementia (n=11, 1.3%), or providing armchair diagnoses of dementia (n=21, 2.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to use participatory methods to develop a framework that identifies dementia misconceptions on Twitter. We show that misconceptions and stigmatizing language are not rare. They manifest through minimizing and underestimating language. Web-based campaigns aiming to reduce discrimination and stigma about dementia could target those who use negative vocabulary and reduce the misconceptions that are being propagated, thus improving general awareness.
Study protocol for a qualitative Landscape Research project: re-casting Jung through an Indigenist approach to deepening shared knowledges of wellbeing and healing on Australian soils. (Preprint)
Authors: Zaccone Sophie , Jamieson Graham , Murray Clara , Lock Mark J , Doyle David
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Background The colonization of Australia is responsible for complex layers of trauma for the First Nations peoples of the continent. First Nations Australians’ wellbeing is irrevocably tied to the wellbeing of the land. The application of a landscape-based approach to collaborative research shows promise in enabling genuine relationships that yield rich and informative data. However, there is a lack of practical evidence in the field of landscape research–research tied to First Nations Australians’ world views of landscape.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to deepen shared knowledges of wellbeing and healing on Australian soils. The objective is to examine ritual codesign as a novel method for deepening these shared knowledges.

METHODS

Methods This research comprises a qualitative and participatory research design operationalized through an Indigenist approach. It is a two-phase project that is codesigned with First Nations Australians. Phase 1 of this project is a relational study that endeavours to deepen the theory underpinning the project, alongside the development of meaningful and reciprocal community connections. Phase 2 is a series of three participatory action research (PAR) cycles to codesign a new communal ritual. This process seeks to privilege First Nations Australians’ voices and ways of knowing [1] which are themselves communal, ritual and symbolic. The framework developed by Psychiatrist Carl Jung informs the psychological nature of the enquiry. An Indigenist approach to landscape research re-casts the Jungian frame to enable a culturally safe, context-specific and landscape-based method of qualitative research.

RESULTS

Results Ethical approval for phase 1: a relational study, has been received by the University of New England Human Research Ethics Committee (UNE-HREC) in Armidale, Australia. The research is in the preliminary stages of participant recruitment. It is expected that data collection will commence in late 2022 after a separate Human Research Ethics Application [2] for phase 2 is submitted to the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC) of New South Wales (NSW) and the UNE-HREC.

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusion The field of landscape research is an embryonic phase. This field is embedded in the understanding that First Nations Australians’ wellbeing is irrevocably tied to the wellbeing of the land. This study proposes the codesign of a new communal ritual as a empowering method for collaborative research. This process is guided by the framework of Jungian Psychology and re-cast through an Indigenist approach to research and knowledge creation. A strength of this research is the relational methodology, in which First Nations community needs and desires will inform future research directions.
Managing Diabetes Using Mobiab: Long-Term Case Study of the Impact of a Mobile App on Self-management (Preprint)
Authors: Burda Václav , Mráz Miloš , Schneider Jakub , Novák Daniel
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

This paper describes the development of a mobile app for diabetes mellitus (DM) control and self-management and presents the results of long-term usage of this system in the Czech Republic. DM is a chronic disease affecting large numbers of people worldwide, and this number is continuously increasing. There is massive potential to increase adherence to self-management of DM with the use of smartphones and digital therapeutics interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the process of development of a mobile app, called Mobiab, for DM management and to investigate how individual features are used and how the whole system benefits its long-term users. Using at least 1 year of daily records from users, we analyzed the impact of the app on self-management of DM.

METHODS

We have developed a mobile app that serves as an alternative form to the classic paper-based protocol or diary. The development was based on cooperation with both clinicians and people with DM. The app consists of independent individual modules. Therefore, the user has the possibility to use only selected features that they find useful. Mobiab was available free of charge on Google Play Store from mid-2014 until 2019. No targeted recruitment was performed to attract users.

RESULTS

More than 500 users from the Czech Republic downloaded and signed up for the mobile app. Approximately 80% of the users used Mobiab for less than 1 week. The rest of the users used it for a longer time and 8 of the users produced data that were suitable for long-term analysis. Additionally, one of the 8 users provided their medical records, which were compared with the gathered data, and the improvements in their glucose levels and overall metabolic stability were consistent with the way in which the mobile app was used.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that the usability of a DM-centered self-management smartphone mobile app and server-based systems could be satisfactory and promising. Nonetheless, some better ways of motivating people with diabetes toward participation in self-management are needed. Further studies involving a larger number of participants are warranted to assess the effect on long-term diabetes management.
Quantification of Digital Body Maps for Pain: Development and Application of an Algorithm for Generating Pain Frequency Maps (Preprint)
Authors: Dixit Abhishek , Lee Michael
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Pain is an unpleasant sensation that signals potential or actual bodily injury. The locations of bodily pain can be communicated and recorded by freehand drawing on 2D or 3D (manikin) surface maps. Freehand pain drawings are often part of validated pain questionnaires (eg, the Brief Pain Inventory) and use 2D templates with undemarcated body outlines. The simultaneous analysis of drawings allows the generation of pain frequency maps that are clinically useful for identifying areas of common pain in a disease. The grid-based approach (dividing a template into cells) allows easy generation of pain frequency maps, but the grid’s granularity influences data capture accuracy and end-user usability. The grid-free templates circumvent the problem related to grid creation and selection and provide an unbiased basis for drawings that most resemble paper drawings. However, the precise capture of drawn areas poses considerable challenges in producing pain frequency maps. While web-based applications and mobile-based apps for freehand digital drawings are widely available, tools for generating pain frequency maps from grid-free drawings are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to provide an algorithm that can process any number of freehand drawings on any grid-free 2D body template to generate a pain frequency map. We envisage the use of the algorithm in clinical or research settings to facilitate fine-grain comparisons of human pain anatomy between disease diagnosis or disorders or as an outcome metric to guide monitoring or discovery of treatments.

METHODS

We designed a web-based tool to capture freehand pain drawings using a grid-free 2D body template. Each drawing consisted of overlapping rectangles (Scalable Vector Graphics  elements) created by scribbling in the same area of the body template. An algorithm was developed and implemented in Python to compute the overlap of rectangles and generate a pain frequency map. The utility of the algorithm was demonstrated on drawings obtained from 2 clinical data sets, one of which was a clinical drug trial (ISRCTN68734605). We also used simulated data sets of overlapping rectangles to evaluate the performance of the algorithm.

RESULTS

The algorithm produced nonoverlapping rectangles representing unique locations on the body template. Each rectangle carries an overlap frequency that denotes the number of participants with pain at that location. When transformed into an HTML file, the output is feasibly rendered as a pain frequency map on web browsers. The layout (vertical-horizontal) of the output rectangles can be specified based on the dimensions of the body regions. The output can also be exported to a CSV file for further analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although further validation in much larger clinical data sets is required, the algorithm in its current form allows for the generation of pain frequency maps from any number of freehand drawings on any 2D body template.
The Effects of Virtual Reality in Maternity Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. (Preprint)
Authors: Xu Nuo , Chen Sijing , Liu Yan , Jing Yuewen , Gu Ping
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Extreme labor pain has negative effects; pharmacologic analgesic modalities are effective but are accompanied by adverse effects. Virtual reality (VR) works as a distracting non－pharmacologic intervention for pain and anxiety relief; however, the effect of VR use in laboring women is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to determine the safety and effectiveness of VR technology during labor and delivery, and to investigate whether it impacts labor and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

Seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wan-Fang Database) were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of VR use in pregnancy and childbirth from the time of database construction until November 24, 2021. Two researchers extracted data and evaluated study quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0. Outcome measures were labor pain, anxiety, duration, satisfaction, and adverse events. Meta-analyses were performed where possible.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies with 1095 participants were included of which 11 and 1 studies were rated as B and A for risk of bias, respectively. Of the 12 studies, 11 reported labor pain, 7 reported labor anxiety, and 4 reported labor duration. Meta－analysis revealed that VR use could relieve pain during labor (mean difference (MD) －1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) －2.04 to －1.57, P <.001) and active period (standardized mean difference (SMD) －0.41, 95% CI －0.68 to －0.14, P=.003), reduce anxiety (SMD －1.39, 95% CI －1.99 to －0.78), P<.001) and improve satisfaction with delivery (RR 1.32; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.59, P=.003). The effects of VR on the duration of the first (SMD －1.12, 95% CI －2.38 to 0.13, P=.08) and second (SMD －0.22, 95% CI －0.67 to 0.24, P=.35) stages of labor were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

VR is safe and effective in relieving maternal labor pain and anxiety, however, due to the heterogeneity among studies conducted to date, more rigorous, large－scale, standardized RCTs are required to provide a higher－quality evidence base for the use of VR technology in maternal labor, with the aim of improving experience and outcomes.

CLINICALTRIAL
Cambio climático y ciudades: Consideraciones para entender las vulnerabilidades
Authors: Vargas-Vargas Bryan
Published: January 2022

El artículo propone criterios de identificación/priorización de vulnerabilidades ante el cambio climático y cómo se expresan la sensibilidad, la exposición y la capacidad de adaptación en el territorio o la ciudad. Se toma como caso de estudio un asentamientobarrial inserto en una zona industrial en el cantón de Curridabat, San José,Costa Rica. Metodológicamente es una revisión de literatura sobre la vulnerabilidad climática contrastada con datos propios de cambio  climático costarricense y las condiciones del contexto. Como principal conclusión está la necesidad de inserción de la capacidad de adaptación como indisoluble para hacer lectura de la vulnerabilidadclimática.
Дефіцит вітаміну D у населення України та фактори ризику його розвитку
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Balatska N.I.
Published: January 2022

У статті наведено результати епідеміологічного дослідження частоти дефіциту вітаміну D серед населення України. Установлено, що переважна більшість жителів країни має дефіцит вітаміну D (81,8 %). Найчастіше він реєструється в осіб віком понад 75 років (84,3 %). Факторами ризику розвитку дефіциту вітаміну D серед населення України є жіноча стать, ожиріння (ІМТ понад 35 кг/м2), дефіцит маси тіла (ІМТ менше ніж 18,5 кг/м2), зимова пора року та проживання не в південному регіоні країни.
Течение гонартроза и коксартроза на фоне сахарного диабета
Authors: Golovkina Ye.S.
Published: January 2022

Сахарный диабет у больных остеоартрозом определяет число пораженных суставов, увеличение частоты отдельных рентгеносонографических признаков суставного синдрома, тяжесть вовлечения в процесс позвоночника, коленных и тазобедренных сочленений, что зависит от показателей инсулинемии и гликозилированного гемоглобина в крови. Развитие гонартроза и коксартроза чаще наблюдается при диабете второго типа, который влияет на формирование остеокистоза, остеофитоза, остеопороза, субхондрального склероза, интраартикулярных кальцинатов, лигаментоза и внутрисуставных хондромных тел.
Мінеральна щільність кісткової тканини, жирова та знежирена маса в дітей різного віку та статі
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Klymovytskyi F.V. , Balatska N.I. , Dzerovych N.I. , Golubeva T.N. , Chuchvareva S.S. , Chirah T.M.
Published: January 2022

Авторами представлене перше в Україні дослідження стосовно створення бази референтних нормативних даних щодо мінеральної щільності кісткової тканини та показників тілобудови (жирової маси, знежиреної маси та відсотку жирової маси) у дітей та підлітків України.
Мінеральна щільність та метаболізм кісткової тканини в пацієнтів зі спінальною травмою
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Bystritskaya M.A.
Published: January 2022

У дослідженні, наведеному в статті, доведено, що у пацієнтів з травматичною хворобою спинного мозку мінеральна щільність кісткової тканини (МЩКТ) вірогідно нижча, ніж у здорових осіб відповідного віку, при цьому МЩКТ вірогідно менша у пацієнтів з більшим терміном травматичної хвороби. Це дало змогу зробити висновок, що тяжке пошкодження спинного мозку з глибоким руховим дефіцитом призводить до швидкої втрати кісткової маси вже в перші роки після травми з розвитком вторинного остеопорозу, який прогресує з тривалістю травматичної хвороби. Моніторинг МЩКТ у цієї категорії пацієнтів дозволить виділити хворих з високим ризиком розвитку переломів та своєчасно провести корекцію кісткової тканини й профілактику виникнення переломів.
Проблема тромбоэмболии в лечении пациентов с остеопорозом
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Grigoryeva N.V.
Published: January 2022

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Механизмы спонтанной резорбции грыжи межпозвоночного диска (Аналитический обзор литературы)
Authors: Dedukh N.V. , Bengus L.M.
Published: January 2022

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Лечение несовершенного остеогенеза: обзор литературы и результаты собственных исследований
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Balatska N.I. , Vaida B.M.
Published: January 2022

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Артроз
Authors: Dedukh N.V.
Published: January 2022

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Новое в лечении больных с остеоартрозом коленных суставов: результаты рандомизированного двойного слепого плацебо-контролируемого исследования
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Grigorieva N.V.
Published: January 2022

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Качество трабекулярной костной ткани у женщин в зависимости от длительности постменопаузального периода
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Dzerovych N.I.
Published: January 2022

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Саркопения и возраст: обзор литературы и результаты собственных исследований
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Dzerovych N.I.
Published: January 2022

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Анкилозирующий спондилоартрит и офтальмопатии
Authors: Pavlyuchenko А.K. , Lukashenko L.V. , Sinyachenko O.V.
Published: January 2022

Офтальмопатии при анкилозирующем спондилоартрите диагностируются у 29 % от числа обследованных больных в соотношении увеит — склерит — катаракта — кератит — глаукома — конъюнктивит как 7 : 5 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 1, причем болезни глаз определяют степень активности заболевания и темпы прогрессирования патологии опорно-двигательного аппарата, а также тяжесть артрита по индексам Ричи и Лансбури, достоверно влияют на интегральные признаки течения суставного синдрома, частоту поражения грудино-ключичных, пястно-фаланговых и локтевых сочленений, степень сужения артикулярных щелей, субхондрального склероза и остеокистоза, развитие остеоузурации и эпифизарного остеопороза, патологии кожи (увеит, кератит, глаукома, катаракта), почек (кератит, глаукома, конъюнктивит) и сердца (склерит).
ПЕРВЫЙ ОПЫТ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ФОТОПОЛИМЕРИЗАЦИИ КОЛЛАГЕНА РОГОВИЦЫ В ЛЕЧЕНИИ ПРОГРЕССИРУЮЩЕГО КЕРАТОКОНУСА У ДЕТЕЙ. ТОПОГРАФИЧЕСКИ ОРИЕНТИРОВАННЫЙ МЕТОД
Authors: Averyanova O.S. , Kovalov A.I. , Kireev V.V.
Published: January 2022

Ретроспективный анализ результатов фотополимеризации роговицы по поводу прогрессирующего кератоконуса у пациентов 11 – 18 лет (средний возраст 15.8): 44 глаза (32 пациента). Кросс-линкинг проводился по классическому протоколу (Цюрихский протокол) (23 глаза) и по топографически ориентированному на верхушку кератоконуса (21 глаз). Длительность наблюдения 12 – 46 месяцев (в среднем 26.5). За время наблюдения у всех пациентов не отмечено прогрессирование кератоконуса. Осложнений, приводящих к снижению зрения не отмечалось. Реакция на процедуру у детей более выражена, чем у взрослых. Наблюдалось уплощение роговицы и уменьшение астигматизма: в группе, леченной по Цюрихскому протоколу (в среднем) на -0.86D, в группе топографически ориентированного (в среднем) на -1.59D. Кросс-линкинг у детей эффективен и безопасен. Топографически ориентированный кросс-линкинг дает более выраженный рефракционный эффект (уплощение роговицы), особенно в крутом меридиане.
Проявления синдрома сухого глаза у больных сахарным диабетом 2 типа с недостаточностью витамина D3
Authors: Komissarenko Y. , Antonenko O.
Published: January 2022

Исследовалось состояние слезопродукции и времени разрыва слезной пленки, уровня витамина D3 у пациентов с сахарным диабетом 2 типа. Больным проводили общее офтальмологическое обследование, пробы Норна и Ширмера и определяли уровень 25 (ОН) D в плазме крови. Чаще всего синдром «сухого глаза» встречался у пациентов в возрасте 55 – 62 года. В 46% обследуемых наблюдалась легкая степень поражения глазной поверхности. При недостаточности витамина D3 (37,5 нмоль / л) у 68% больных отмечали умеренную гиполакримию (10,1 ± 2,8 мм), а при дефиците – у 32% наблюдалась значительная гиполакримия. У пациентов с более тяжелой степенью синдрома «сухого глаза» отмечалось увеличение показателей метаболического обмена (холестерин – 7,0 ± 1,3 ммоль / л, триглицериды – 1,61 ± 0,7 ммоль / л). У больных с сахарным диабетом 2 типа и синдромом «сухого глаза» встречались гиперемия и слизистые нити в конъюнктивной полости, складка бульбарной конъюнктивы. Таким образом, недостаточность витамина D3 является одной из причин развития сахарного диабета 2 типа и нарушений метаболического обмена, что в свою очередь приводит к развитию осложнений со стороны органа зрения и инвалидизации населения.