bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educação preventiva e promoção da saúde na escola: desafios para orientação sexual em São Paulo
Authors: Barboza Renato , Machado Pirotta Kátia Cibelle , Pupo Ligia Rivero
Published: June 2022

Considerando-se a escassa produção científica sobre orientação sexual em redes de ensino, investigou-se os programas implementados pela Secretaria Municipal de Educação de São Paulo, nos anos de 2001 a 2006. O artigo objetiva identificar as concepções e dificuldades dos diretores e coordenadores pedagógicos no desenvolvimento das ações de orientação sexual na rede pública de ensino. No período investigado, três projetos destacaram-se pela duração e forte presença na rede escolar, constituindo um cenário privilegiado para o estudo da educação preventiva e da promoção da saúde entre adolescentes. Realizou-se um estudo descritivo-retrospectivo, de abordagem qualitativa, com oito informantes-chave que foram entrevistados em profundidade. As principais categorias de análise foram: ações pontuais na disciplina de Ciências; pouco poder, baixa legitimidade e resistência dos professores; avanços percebidos; fragilidades na avaliação; alta rotatividade dos educadores; e, descontinuidade dos projetos. A análise evidenciou dificuldades estruturais e pedagógicas. As ações frequentemente dependeram do interesse pessoal dos profissionais em detrimento de um projeto coletivo. Com a mudança da gestão, houve descontinuidade dos projetos nas escolas. O estudo subsidia o campo da educação preventiva e da promoção da saúde, respaldando o saber-fazer dos educadores e indica caminhos para a superação das lacunas na instituição escolar. 

Palavras chave: Políticas públicas; Educação em saúde; Educação sexual; Desenvolvimento de programas; Promoção da saúde.
Dos Movimentos Sociais às Políticas Públicas: contribuições da Psicologia Política
Authors: Godoy Iván Omar Flores
Published: June 2022

A compreensão dos processos que vão dos movimentos sociais às políticas públicas tem sido um desafio epistémico e metodológico. No entanto, a psicologia política deu sinais de que é possível começar a compreender estes fenómenos a partir dos encontros entre as várias disciplinas, talvez não só das ciências sociais, mas talvez estejamos perante algo mais desafiante.
O Modelo de Expansão da Banda Larga no Brasil: uma análise de políticas de infraestrutura e de gestão do espectro para a universalização do acesso à Internet
Authors: Machado Jorge Alberto
Published: June 2022

Este artigo tem o objetivo de discutir o modelo de expansão e de universalização da banda larga no Brasil à luz dos direito do acesso à Internet. São apresentadas as estratégias empregadas em países de grandes extensões – no caso, Canadá e Austrália; a mobilização para a universalização da banda larga; as disputas pelo espectro eletromagnético; a mobilização social pela universalização da banda larga e as políticas para o acesso à hardware em apoio à infraestrutura da internet.
A Luta pela Visibilidade na Campanha 'Ficha Limpa': mídia, movimentos sociais e combate à corrupção política
Authors: Guimarães Thiago
Published: June 2022

Este trabalho investiga a relação entre mídia e movimentos sociais a partir da trajetória da campanha Ficha Limpa (2008-2010), que resultou na coleta de 1,3 milhão de assinaturas e aprovação de projeto de lei de iniciativa popular que tornou mais rígidos os critérios para postulação de candidatos em eleições no Brasil. Inicialmente apresenta-se uma proposta de abordagem comunicacional dos fenômenos sociais, a captá-los em processos de interação entre sujeitos em produção e interpretação de sentidos. Discute-se aspectos da relação entre mídia e democracia. Argumenta-se, a despeito do reconhecimento do cenário de crise na comunicação pública contemporânea, pela manutenção do potencial da mídia de revigoramento do debate em esferas públicas diversas. Nesse sentido, considera-se o papel da internet e de novas mediações tecnológicas na reconfiguração das ações estratégicas de atores coletivos cívicos. À luz desse referencial, examina-se o papel da mídia na promoção de debates públicos ampliados, bem como características das relações entre meios de comunicação e movimentos sociais, analisados integralmente em suas dimensões de oportunidade política, mobilização de recursos e processos simbólicos. Recorre-se a uma visão integrada do conceito de enquadramento, em sua tradição na literatura da comunicação e dos movimentos sociais, para o estudo de discursos mobilizados durante a campanha. Descrito o panorama histórico da iniciativa, com ênfase nas estruturas de oportunidade política que envolveram seu surgimento e desenvolvimento, passa-se à análise empírica de como os temas da campanha Ficha Limpa

Este artigo analisa a relação entre mídia e movimentos sociais a partir da trajetória da campanha Ficha Limpa (2008-2010), que resultou na coleta de 1,3 milhão de assinaturas e aprovação de projeto de lei de iniciativa popular que tornou mais rígidos os critérios para postulação de candidatos em eleições no Brasil. Inicialmente apresenta-se uma proposta de abordagem comunicacional dos fenômenos sociais, a captá-los em processos de interação entre sujeitos em produção e interpretação de sentidos. Discute-se aspectos da relação entre mídia e democracia. Argumenta-se, a despeito do reconhecimento do cenário de crise na comunicação pública contemporânea, pela manutenção do potencial da mídia de revigoramento do debate em esferas públicas diversas. Nesse sentido, considera-se o papel da internet e de novas mediações tecnológicas na reconfiguração das ações estratégicas de atores coletivos cívicos. À luz desse referencial, examina-se o papel da mídia na promoção de debates públicos ampliados, bem como características das relações entre meios de comunicação e movimentos sociais, analisados integralmente em suas dimensões de oportunidade política, mobilização de recursos e processos simbólicos.

na reconfiguração da ação coletiva e na promoção de práticas de participação social.
Gestão de facilitiese sua importância na pesquisa: análise preliminar da experiência da FMVZ-USP
Authors: Rabelo Ana Carolina Silveira , Silveira Fernanda Pereira da , Rici Rose Eli Grasse
Published: June 2022

Facilitie pode ser compreendida como um conjunto de serviços e valores que auxilia e torna mais fácil alguma ação. Para que o serviço entregue pela facilitie cumpra os seus objetivos de qualidade, otimização de tempo e de espaço, assim como redução de custo, é necessário que ela seja bem gerida. O crescimento dessas facilities no meio acadêmico tem aumentado vertiginosamente, permitindo que o acesso a determinados equipamentos e informações seja ampliado. É o caso do Centro Avançado em Diagnóstico por Imagem (CADI), uma plataforma da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ) da USP que conta com diversos equipamentos de imagem sofisticados e que estão agrupados em diferentes locais da FMVZ. Dentre esses equipamentos, podem ser citados os microscópios, que estão presentes no prédio da Anatomia (chamado de Facilitie FMVZ/USP). Nesse contexto, o trabalho objetivou-se a fazer uma análise descritiva, qualitativa e quantitativa dos cadastramentos realizados pelos usuários da Facilitie FMVZ/USP. Para cumprir esse objetivo, foi aplicado um questionário para os usuários da Facilitie, contendo 14 perguntas que englobavam o perfil do usuário, os equipamentos mais utilizados e frequência de uso, a funcionalidade do agendamento e a importância da Central na pesquisa. Ao todo, 42 usuários responderam o questionário, mostrando que a maioria deles era do sexo feminino; alunos de pós-graduação da própria FMVZ; que a maioria já tinha utilizado o laboratório dez ou mais vezes; que o agendamento para utilização da Central se da de forma rápida e clara; e que a existência do laboratório é essencial para suas pesquisas. Além dos usuários saberem a importância da Facilitie nas suas pesquisas, muitos resultados positivos foram gerados na Central, tais como artigos científicos, projetos acadêmicos e atendimento a grupos de pesquisa, contribuindo para o maior desenvolvimento da Universidade.
Menines: um neologismo possível para políticas públicas inclusivas?
Authors: Ortolano Fábio
Published: June 2022

Para tratar de sujeitos, scripts e cenas é preciso entender a palavra, uma vez que as discursividades são produtoras de realidades, e sua incidência em temas como juventude, gênero e reconhecimento. Menines é uma proposta de termo a ser utilizado nas políticas públicas que rompe com o sistema binomial de nomenclatura e dissolve a desinência de gênero. Nesse neologismo, considera-se um sujeito coletivo que congrega uma pluralidade de tipo especial, sem um gênero definido. Desta forma, o presente ensaio, baseado em ideias do construcionismo, traz uma discussão acerca de elementos intersubjetivos como o gênero, os direitos humanos e a luta por reconhecimento de jovens LGBTQI+.
A Ação Pública: um outro olhar sobre Estado, Sociedade e Políticas Públicas
Authors: Silva Alessandro Soares da
Published: June 2022

Obra: Sociologia da Ação Pública
Autores: Pierre Lascoumes e Patrick Le Galès
Cidade: Maceió
Editora: EdUFAL
Ano: 2012
Páginas: 244
ISBN-10: 8571777039
ISBN-13: 9788571777033
Uma Análise Psicopolítica do Fascismo Brasileiro
Authors: Furlan Vinícius
Published: June 2022

O fascismo existe como um espectro da democracia. O fascismo Alemão levou a morte de centena de milhares de pessoas. Os campos de concentração nazistas, não são acaso do destino, são a máxima do capitalismo. O capitalismo em sua máxima produz campos de concentração e se subscreve por uma política de morte. Na sua máxima fascista o capitalismo cria um estado de exceção absoluto e torna autorizado o assassínio de populações inteiras. O fascismo é uma subjetividade, o fascismo está no ar. O Brasil hoje se tornou um país fascista. A adesão ao fascismo ocorre, como analisou Reich, porque a situação econômica e a situação ideológica das massas não coincidem necessariamente. A política, assim, não se trata de uma questão de argumentação racional, mas de um circuito de afetos. A questão é saber que tipo de afeto move e cria formas de vida política, pois o embate é sobre formas de vida, como mostra Agamben. A situação que vivemos é de crise econômica e política, e estas condições tendem a produzir uma situação de desamparo, a qual leva as populações a ficarem a mercê da promessa messiânica. Assim o discurso fascista foi (e ainda o é) um apelo ao inconsciente por meio de técnicas capazes de promover tanto a idealização dos seus líderes como a suspeita paranóica sobre os outros grupos por parte dos destinatários. Alguns elementos caracterizam a ascensão fascista: o rosto utilizado para representar o líder precisa parecer cômico, uma mistura de militar com palhaço; o culto da violência;; um discurso político-econômico, da ressurreição Estado-Nação, na sua versão paranóica; e o discurso moral-cultural, dos valores da instituição familiar. A não-elaboração dos traumas do passado do Brasil trouxe à tona seus monstros adormecidos, como retorno do recalcado, e instaurou o fascismo, ficado à sombra por anos, à vida cotidiana.
A influência do palhaço na obra de Samuel Beckett como pista para uma poética do ator
Authors: Santos Thiago Antunes de Oliveira
Published: June 2022

Neste artigo, discutiremos a presença do palhaço na obra de Samuel Beckett como indício de uma poética cênica. Analisando exemplos do teatro e da prosa do autor, veremos como as descrições físicas dos personagens e o seu comportamento se assemelham e radicalizam características do palhaço de circo, acentuando, sobretudo, o seu caráter grotesco. O caráter trágico do palhaço seria reforçado pela condição em que o ator é colocado em cena. No teatro de Beckett o ator é colocado num estado de risco similar ao do palhaço através das repetições e da imobilidade impostas pelas rigorosas rubricas do autor.
Mapeamento de Gestos Psicológicos (GPs) para perfis femininos encontrados na dramaturgia de Nelson Rodrigues
Authors: Marques Lílith de Moraes
Published: June 2022

Relato do estudo de personagens femininas da obra de Nelson Rodrigues realizado através de uma investigação teórico-prática que envolveu não só a classificação das personagens em seis categorias distintas, como ainda a composição corporal de Gestos Psicológicos (GPs) para cada categoria. No artigo encontra-se a reflexão sobre o processo de investigação prática, no qual, “ações físicas” utilizadas pela pesquisadora articulam os elementos do Continuum do Reflexo de Susto elaborado por Keleman, como conceito de Gesto Psicológico (GP), desenvolvido por Michael Chékhov. O relato conclui com a aplicação dos GPs elaborados como procedimento técnico de criação de personagens do espetáculo Dorotéia de Nelson Rodrigues.
Relato de uma peculiar montagem de As Três Irmãs
Authors: Consentino Marianne Tezza
Published: June 2022

O presente relato busca expor o processo de pesquisa que resultou na montagem do espetáculo As Três Irmãs, de Anton Tchékhov, a partir do treinamento do ator com a técnica do clown. A pesquisa desenvolvida no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Artes Cênicas da USP – Universidade de São Paulo, sob a orientação do prof. dr. Armando Sérgio da Silva, foi realizada com o elenco da Traço Cia. de Teatro, de Florianópolis, através da metodologia “Pesquisa Participante”. Seguindo a linha de pesquisa do clown pessoal, o estudo visou compreender o processo de contato do ator com sua subjetividade incitado pela técnica do clown e as consequências éticas e estéticas propiciadas por este encontro.
Beckett, Kantor e as encruzilhadasno trabalho do ator
Authors: Marfuz Luiz
Published: June 2022

A partir das referências e experiências do dramaturgo-encenador Samuel Beckett e do diretor polonês Tadeusz Kantor, apresentam-se reflexões e apontamentos sobre o trabalho de atuação. Ao mesmo tempo em que se mostram determinados princípios e estratégias defendidos pelos dois artistas, a exemplo do desprezo pela tradição naturalista, parte-se também da ideia de que estes nem sempre convergem, a exemplo da relação do ator com o texto. Estes e outros aspectos são apontados como desafios para o ator, diante das variadas tendências do teatro contemporâneo.
Modelos Normativos na Construção e Avaliação de Políticas Públicas
Authors: Costa Carlos Germano Ferreira , Da Silva Edson Vicente
Published: June 2022

Resenha da Tese Lucerti, G.Evaluating Public Policies - Normative Models Beyond Cost Benefit Analysis, 2012.
Microarchitectural Changes of Cardiovascular Calcification in Response to In Vivo Interventions Using Deep-Learning Segmentation and Computed Tomography Radiomics
Authors: Patel Nikhil Rajesh , Setya Kulveer , Pradhan Stuti , Lu Mimi , Demer Linda L. , Tintut Yin
Published: June 2022

Background:

Coronary calcification associates closely with cardiovascular risk, but its progress is accelerated in response to some interventions widely used to reduce risk. This paradox suggests that qualitative, not just quantitative, changes in calcification may affect plaque stability. To determine if the microarchitecture of calcification varies with aging, Western diet, statin therapy, and high intensity, progressive exercise, we assessed changes in a priori selected computed tomography radiomic features (intensity, size, shape, and texture).

Methods:

Longitudinal computed tomography scans of mice (

Apoe
−/−

) exposed to each of these conditions were autosegmented by deep learning segmentation, and radiomic features of the largest deposits were analyzed.

Results:

Over 20 weeks of aging, intensity and most size parameters increased, but surface-area-to-volume ratio (a measure of porosity) decreased, suggesting stabilization. However, texture features (coarseness, cluster tendency, and nonuniformity) increased, suggesting heterogeneity and likely destabilization. Shape parameters showed no significant changes, except sphericity, which showed a decrease. The Western diet had significant effects on radiomic features related to size and texture, but not intensity or shape. In mice undergoing either pravastatin treatment or exercise, the selected radiomic features of their computed tomography scans were not significantly different from those of their respective controls. Interestingly, the total number of calcific deposits increased significantly less in the 2 intervention groups compared with the respective controls, suggesting more coalescence and/or fewer de novo deposits.

Conclusions:

Thus, aging and standard interventions alter the microarchitectural features of vascular calcium deposits in ways that may alter plaque biomechanical stability.
Understanding cannabis use in Singapore: profile of users and drug progression
Authors: Chia Doris Xin Yi , Ng Charis Wei Ling , Asharani Pezhummoottil Vasudevan Nair , Au Yong Sabina , Tan Jun Wen , Zainuldin Noor Azizah Bte , Chua Samuel Kee Guan , Low Lambert Tchern Kuang , Cheok Christopher Cheng Soon , Kandasami Gomathinayagam
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Cannabis has consistently been the third most commonly abused drug among drug arrestees in Singapore over the past few years. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the profile of cannabis users in Singapore and explore the effects of cannabis use on drug progression.

Methods:

A total of 450 participants who had used cannabis at least once in their lifetime were recruited from the National Addictions Management Service, prisons, the Community Rehabilitation Centre and halfway houses from August 2017 to May 2018. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered and descriptive analyses were conducted.

Results:

The mean participant age was 40.9 ± 14.51 years, and 93.1% of them were male. The participants generally initiated cannabis use during adolescence, at a mean onset age of 16.5 ± 4.46 years. Most (89.6%) were introduced to cannabis by peers. Approximately half of them (46.9%) had used cannabis before other illicit drugs and 42.1% of them had used heroin as the succeeding drug.

Conclusion:

In Singapore, cannabis use is often initiated during adolescence, largely under peer influence. Cannabis users may progress to other illicit drugs, particularly heroin, later in life.
Profiles of women presenting for abortions in Singapore at the National University Hospital: focus on married women
Authors: Pek Xiang Wen Gregory , Teoh Wei Shan , Wu Duoduo , Singh Kuldip
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

In this study, we aimed to identify the differences in sociodemographic variables and reasons for termination of pregnancy (TOP) between married women and single/divorced women. We hope that this study can guide future policies and interventions to reduce the incidence of unsupported pregnancies in this profile group of women.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated the sociodemographic data of 802 women who underwent an abortion for social reasons at our institution in Singapore from January 2016 to September 2018. We compared the sociodemographic variables, reasons for and methods of TOP between married and single/divorced women.

Results:

We analysed data from 524 married women (65.3%) and 278 single/divorced women (34.7%). Married women were more likely to be of older age (29.5 years vs. 24.5 years, P < 0.001), had more living children and higher educational qualifications. The top two cited reason for abortions among married women were having enough children (42.0%) and the inability to afford another child (18.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that women aged >19 years and having more living children were independently associated with recurrent TOPs. Having a tertiary education was noted to be associated with less recurrent TOPs.

Conclusion:

The most common reasons married women cited for having TOP include having enough children and the lack of financial capacity to afford another child. Recommendations to support women ought to be personalised and comprehensive in addressing their needs rather than offering a standardised support method. Greater emphasis should be placed on post-TOP family planning counselling to reduce repeated TOP.
Three new species in the genus Ficinia (Cyperaceae, tribe Cypereae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa
Authors: MUASYA A. MUTHAMA , STIRTON CHARLES H.
Published: June 2022

Despite over 300 years of botanical inventory, new species continue to be discovered within the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Recent field work in the ecotone of the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes has revealed three species of Ficinia that are new to science. Based on field observation and comparison with existing material in major herbaria, we describe and name F. bolusiana, F. stirtonii and F. swartruggensis.
Cryptic Species of Freshwater Sculpin (Cottidae: Cottus) in California, USA
Authors: MOYLE PETER B. , CAMPBELL MATTHEW A.
Published: June 2022

The Riffle Sculpin (Cottus gulosus) is a small, bottom-dwelling fish regarded as widespread in the cool-water streams that flow into California’s Central Valley and into streams of the central California coast. Using population genomics, supported by other genetic, distributional, and meristic studies, we demonstrate that C. gulosus consists of three cryptic species with four subspecies (five lineages), all but one entirely endemic to California:

 

Cottus pitensis, Pit Sculpin Bailey and Bond 1963

Cottus gulosus, Inland Riffle Sculpin (Girard 1854)

g. gulosus: San Joaquin Riffle Sculpin (Girard 1854), nominate subspecies

g. wintu: Sacramento Riffle Sculpin, Moyle and Campbell 2022, new subspecies

Cottus ohlone, Coastal Riffle Sculpin Moyle and Campbell 2022, new species

o. ohlone, Ohlone Riffle Sculpin Moyle and Campbell 2022, nominate subspecies

o. pomo, Pomo Riffle Sculpin Moyle and Campbell 2022, new subspecies.

 

The three species are endemic to California watersheds although the range of C. pitensis extends into southeastern Oregon. All are confined to cool headwater streams or to rivers with cold water releases below dams. Their populations are increasingly isolated from one another because of anthropogenic changes to California’s river systems and some are threatened with extinction. Providing taxonomic recognition of the distinct forms will improve conservation efforts on their behalf. This study also demonstrates how genomics can be used to resolve situations where signals from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA are in conflict.
Recently Amplified Interannual Variability of the Great Lakes Ice Cover in Response to Changing Teleconnections
Authors: Lin Yu-Chun , Fujisaki-Manome Ayumi , Wang Jia
Published: June 2022

The interannual variability of the annual maximum ice cover (AMIC) of the Great Lakes is strongly influenced by large-scale atmospheric circulations that drive regional weather patterns. Based on statistical analyses from 1980 to 2020, we identify a reduced number of accumulated freezing degree days across the winter months in recent decades, a step-change decrease of AMIC after the winter of 1997/98, and an increased interannual variability of AMIC since 1993. Our analysis shows that AMIC is significantly correlated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the Pacific–North American pattern (PNA) before the winter of 1997/98. After that, the AMIC is significantly correlated with the tropical–Northern Hemisphere pattern (TNH) and eastern Pacific oscillation (EPO). Singular value decomposition of the 500-hPa geopotential height and surface air temperature shows a dipole pattern over the northeast Pacific and North America, demonstrating the ridge–trough system. This dipole pattern shifts northward to the northern Rocky Mountains, placing the Great Lakes region in the trough after 1997/98. This shift coincides with the increased interannual variability of the EPO index, as well as the change in the sea surface temperature (SST) over the northeast Pacific, where the second mode of the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) on SST shows a warm blob-like feature manifested over the Gulf of Alaska. The regression of wave activity flux onto the SST EOF shows that the source of upward and eastward propagation of a stationary Rossby wave shifts to the west coast of North America, likely moving the ridge–trough system eastward after the winter of 1997/98.

Significance Statement

We found that the Great Lakes annual maximum ice cover decreased after one of the strongest El Niño–Southern Oscillation events in 1997/98 and that its year-to-year fluctuations increased in the recent 20 years. After the winter of 1997/98, the Great Lakes annual maximum ice cover started to correlate with the warm sea surface temperature anomaly in the northeast Pacific, which appears to disrupt the polar vortex far up in the stratosphere, and the polar vortex ultimately shifts eastward the ridge–trough system over North America. When the shifted system develops enough, it can encase the Great Lakes region in the Arctic air and thereby cause larger year-to-year fluctuations. This connection was found to be characteristic in the recent few decades, after the winter of 1997/98.
Connecting Classrooms and Communities Across Continents to Strengthen Health Promotion Pedagogy: Development of the Transnational Education and Community Health Collaborative (TEaCH CoLab)
Authors: Carroll Paula , Early Jody O. , Murphy Niamh , O’Connor Jenny , Barry Mairead , Eagan-Torkko Megan , O’Connor Robert , Richardson Noel , Stone Andrea
Published: June 2022

Tackling complex twenty-first century global health challenges requires crossdisciplinary collaborations that extend beyond physical classrooms and across continents. The Transdisciplinary Education and Community Health Collaboratory (TEaCH CoLab) is a global teaching co-op established by health promotion and humanities faculty at three universities (Waterford Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Carlow in Ireland, and the University of Washington, Bothell in the U.S.). The primary goals of TEaCH CoLab are to enhance global learning and problem-solving among the next generation of community and public health practitioners, to improve public health teaching (with a focus on digital pedagogy), and to increase empathy and community-connectedness. In this descriptive article, we present our program model and lessons learned from the first three years of collaboration to provide insights into how such capacity-building projects are established and sustained over time and across diverse geographical, cultural and temporal landscapes. Collaboration happens primarily online through academic and community partnerships, collaborative online learning, and pedagogy discussion and development. Students get to engage with course content and experiential learning that is part of a shared, global curriculum which emphasizes social justice, health equity, cultural humility and anti-racism, and advocacy. Our “lessons for the field” are collective, practice-based reflections by members of TEaCH CoLab based on their experiences and their involvement in development and facilitation. Our model for learning may help other health promotion scholars and practitioners develop meaningful global learning experiences that strengthen the interconnectedness of praxis, pedagogy, and communities.
Sand supplementation favors tropical seagrass Thalassia hemprichii in eutrophic bay: implications for seagrass restoration and management
Authors: Jiang Zhijian , Liu Songlin , Cui Lijun , He Jialu , Fang Yang , Premarathne Chanaka , Li Linglan , Wu Yunchao , Huang Xiaoping , Kumar Manoj
Published: June 2022

Background

Sediment is crucial for the unique marine angiosperm seagrass growth and successful restoration. Sediment modification induced by eutrophication also exacerbates seagrass decline and reduces plantation and transplantation survival rates. However, we lack information regarding the influence of sediment on seagrass photosynthesis and the metabolics, especially regarding the key secondary metabolic flavone. Meanwhile, sulfation of flavonoids in seagrass may mitigate sulfide intrusion, but limited evidence is available.

Results

We cultured the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii under controlled laboratory conditions in three sediment types by combining different ratios of in-situ eutrophic sediment and coarse beach sand. We examined the effects of beach sand mixed with natural eutrophic sediments on seagrass using photobiology, metabolomics and isotope labelling approaches. Seagrasses grown in eutrophic sediments mixed with beach sand exhibited significantly higher photosynthetic activity, with a larger relative maximum electron transport rate and minimum saturating irradiance. Simultaneously, considerably greater belowground amino acid and flavonoid concentrations were observed to counteract anoxic stress in eutrophic sediments without mixed beach sand. This led to more positive belowground stable sulfur isotope ratios in eutrophic sediments with a lower Eh.

Conclusions

These results indicated that coarse beach sand indirectly enhanced photosynthesis in T. hemprichii by reducing sulfide intrusion with lower amino acid and flavonoid concentrations. This could explain why T. hemprichii often grows better on coarse sand substrates. Therefore, it is imperative to consider adding beach sand to sediments to improve the environmental conditions for seagrass and restore seagrass in eutrophic ecosystems.
Long-term high-risk drinking does not change effective doses of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope in Chinese male patients
Authors: Hao Pei-Pei , Tian Tian , Hu Bin , Liu Wei-Chao , Chen Ying-Gui , Jiang Tian-Yu , Xue Fu-Shan
Published: June 2022

Background

Available literature indicates that long-term drinkers demand a higher dose of propofol for induction of anesthesia than non-drinkers. However, there is no study having assessed the influence of long-term high-risk drinking (LTHRD) on the effective doses of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope with sedation. This study was designed to compare the effective doses of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope between LTHRD and non-drinking (ND) Chinese male patients.

Methods

Thirty-one LTHRD patients and 29 ND male patients undergoing elective gastroscopy with propofol sedation were enrolled. The modified Dixon’s up-and-down method was applied to determine the calculated median effective dose (ED50) of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope. Furthermore, the isotonic regression analysis was used to establish the dose–response curve of propofol and assess the effective doses of propofol where 50% (ED50) and 95% (ED95) of gastroscope insertions were successful.

Results

The calculated ED50 of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope was 1.55 ± 0.10 mg/kg and 1.44 ± 0.11 mg/kg in the LTHRD and ND patients. The isotonic regression analysis further showed that ED50 and ED95 of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope was 1.50 mg/kg (95%CI, 1.40–1.63) and 1.80 mg/kg (95%CI, 1.74–1.90) in the LTHRD patients, respectively; 1.40 mg/kg (95% CI, 1.27–1.57) and 1.60 mg/kg (95%CI, 1.56–1.65) in the ND patients. The ED50 of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope was not significantly different between LTHRD and ND patients.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the difference in the estimated ED50 of propofol for successful insertion of gastroscope between LTHRD and ND Chinese male patients was not statistically significant.

Trial registration

The study was registered on November 28, 2020 (ChiCTR2000040382) in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.
Accidental epidural catheter removal rates and strength required for disconnection: a retrospective cohort and laboratory study
Authors: Ishida Yoshiaki , Homma Yoichiro , Kawamura Takashi , Sagawa Masatoshi , Toba Yoshie
Published: June 2022

Background

Epidural catheters are associated with certain risks such as accidental epidural catheter removal, including dislodgement and disconnection. Globally, neuraxial connector designs were revised in 2016 to provide new standardization aimed at decreasing the frequency of misconnections during the administration of medications. However, no studies have investigated accidental epidural catheter removal after the revised standardization. This study aimed to examine differences in dislodgement and disconnection rates associated with different catheter connector types, and to investigate the linear tensile strength required to induce disconnection.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent elective surgery and received patient-controlled epidural analgesia. Patients were divided into groups according to the type of catheter connection used: old standard, new standard, and new standard with taping groups. Furthermore, we prepared 60 sets of epidural catheters and connectors comprising 20 sets for each of the old, new, and taping groups, and used a digital tension meter to measure the maximum tensile strength required to induce disconnection.

Results

This clinical study involved 360, 182, and 378 patients in the old, new, and taping groups, respectively. Dislodgement rates did not differ statistically among the three groups, while there was a significant difference in disconnection rates. Propensity score matching analysis for disconnection rates showed no difference between the old and new groups (2.8% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.574), while the new group had higher rates than the taping group (6.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.002). This laboratory study identified that a tensile strength of 12.41 N, 12.06 N, and 19.65 N was required for disconnection in the old, new, and taping groups, respectively, and revealed no significant difference between the new and old groups (p = 0.823), but indicated a significant difference between the new and taping groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This clinical study suggested that dislodgement rates did not change among the three groups. Both clinical and laboratory studies revealed that disconnection rates did not change between the old and new connectors. Moreover, as a strategy to prevent accidents, taping the connecting points of the catheter connectors led to an increase in the tensile strength required for disconnection.
Short term outcome after left atrial appendage occlusion with the AMPLATZER Amulet and WATCHMAN device: results from the ORIGINAL registry (saxOnian RegIstry analyzinG and followINg left atrial Appendage cLosure)
Authors: Kretzler Lucie , Mues Christoph , Wunderlich Carsten , Langbein Anke , Spitzer S. G. , Gerk Ulrich , Schellong Sebastian , Ketteler Thomas , Neuser Hans , Schwefer Marcus , Strasser Ruth , Ibrahim Karim , Schoen Steffen , Christoph Marian
Published: June 2022

Background

Various randomized multicenter studies have shown that percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is not inferior in stroke prevention compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and can be performed safely and effectively.

Aims

The prospective multicenter ORIGINAL registry in the Free State of Saxony (saxOnian RegIstry analyzinG and followINg left atrial Appendage cLosure) investigated the efficiency and safety of LAAC with Watchman or Amulet device in a real word setting. A special focus was put on the influence of LAAC frequency on periprocedural efficiency and safety.

Methods and results

The total of 482 consecutive patients (Abbott Amulet N = 93 and Boston Scientific Watchman N = 389) were included in the periinterventional analyses. After 6 weeks, 353 patients completed the first follow-up including transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (73.2%). Successful LAAC could be performed in more than 94%. The complication rate does not significantly differ between device types (p = 0.92) according to Fischer test and comprised 2.2% in the Amulet and 2.3% in the Watchman group. The kind of device and the frequency of LAAC per study center had no influence on the success and complication rates. Device related thrombus could be revealed more frequently in the Watchman group (4.5%) than in the Amulet group (1.4%) but this difference is still not significant in Fisher test (p = 0.14). Same conclusion can be made about residual leakage 1.1% versus 0% [not significant in Fisher test (p = 0.26)]. Dual antiplatelet therapy followed the intervention in 64% and 22% of patients were discharged under a combination of an anticoagulant (VKA/DOAC/Heparin) and one antiplatelet agent.

Conclusions

The ORIGINAL registry supports the thesis from large, randomized trials that LAAC can be performed with a very high procedural success rate in the everyday clinical routine irrespective of the used LAA device (Watchman or Amulet). The postprocedural antithrombotic strategy differs widely among the participating centers.

Trial registration Name of the registry: "saxOnian RegIstry analyzinG and followINg left atrial Appendage cLosure", Trial registration number: DRKS00023803; Date of registration: 15/12/2020 'Retrospectively registered'; URL of trial registry record: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00023803.
Reliability and validity of the FFQ and feeding index for 7-to 24-month-old children after congenital heart disease surgery
Authors: Lei Yiling , Liu Yang , Hu Chunmei , Cui Yanqin , Gao Rui , Li Xiuxiu , Zhu Yanna
Published: June 2022

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital defect in neonates. Infants with CHD often have more nutritional difficulties, but currently, there is no unified Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for infants and young children aged 7–24 months in China. Therefore, we designed this study to assess the reliability and validity of the FFQ and feeding index for 7-to 24-month-old children after congenital heart disease surgery.

Methods

From July to October 2018, infants and young children aged 7–24 months after congenital heart disease surgery in Guangzhou were selected. Participants were categorized into two groups, in the first group (n = 95), the FFQ was completed twice at intervals of 7–10 days to assess reproducibility. In the second group (n = 98), participants accomplished both the FFQ and the 24-h diet records from 3 consecutive days to assess validity. The score of the Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) and its qualified rate were caculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC) were calculated for reliability and validity, respectively.

Results

The average intraclass correlation coefficients and spearman correlation coefficient of the FFQ were 0.536 and 0.318, all with statistical significance except the frequency of meat added. The ICFI of the first group was 8.61 (± 3.20), the qualified rate was 0.06% (6/95). The intraclass correlation coefficients of the ICFI ranged from 0.374 to 0.958; and the spearman correlation of the ICFI was -0.066 to -0.834.

Conclusions

The FFQ possesses satisfactory reliability and moderate validity. The reliability of the ICFI is acceptable, but the validity results are quite different, indicating that the questionnaire is limited in the evaluation of the ICFI.
Violent victimization and revictimization in patients with depressive disorders: context characteristics, disclosure rates, and gender differences
Authors: Christ C. , de Waal M. M. , Kikkert M. J. , Fluri D. G. , Beekman A. T.F. , Dekker J. J.M. , van Schaik D. J.F.
Published: June 2022

Background

Depressed patients are prone to violent victimization, and patients who were victimized once are at increased risk to fall victim to violence again. However, knowledge on the context of victimization in depressed patients is lacking, and research identifying targets for prevention is urgently needed.

Methods

This cross-sectional study explored context characteristics, disclosure rates and gender differences regarding violent victimization in 153 recently victimized depressed patients. Additionally, 12-month prevalence rates of repeat threat, physical assault, and sexual assault were examined, and gender differences were investigated using t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Fisher’s exact tests. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with repeat victimization.

Results

Overall, depressed men were most often victimized by a stranger in public, and women by their partner or ex-partner at home. Regarding sexual assault, no gender differences could be examined. Patients were sexually assaulted most often by an acquaintance (50.0%) or stranger (27.8%). In all patients, the most recent incidents of threat (67.6%) and physical assault (80.0%) were often preceded by a conflict, and only a minority had been intoxicated prior to the assault. Notably, less than half of patients had disclosed their recent experience of threat (40.6%) and physical assault (47.1%) to their mental health caregiver. For sexual assault, this was only 20%. Less than one third of patients had reported their recent experience of threat (27.9%), physical assault (30.0%) and sexual assault (11.1%) to the police. 48.4% of patients had been victimized repeatedly in the past year, with no gender differences found. Only depressive symptoms and unemployment were univariately associated with repeat victimization, but not in the multiple model.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of repeat victimization in depressed patients and their low disclosure rates stress the need to implement routine enquiry of victimization in mental health care, and to develop preventive interventions accounting for specific needs of men and women.
Health care seeking in modern urban LMIC settings: evidence from Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Clarke-Deelder Emma , Afriyie Doris Osei , Nseluke Mweene , Masiye Felix , Fink Günther
Published: June 2022

Background

In an effort to improve population health, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have expanded access to public primary care facilities and removed user fees for services in these facilities. However, a growing literature suggests that many patients bypass nearby primary care facilities to seek care at more distant or higher-level facilities. Patients in urban areas, a growing segment of the population in LMICs, generally have more options for where to seek care than patients in rural areas. However, evidence on care-seeking trajectories and bypassing patterns in urban areas remains relatively scarce.

Methods

We obtained a complete list of public health facilities and interviewed randomly selected informal sector households across 31 urban areas in Lusaka District, Zambia. All households and facilities listed were geocoded, and care-seeking trajectories mapped across the entire urban area. We analyzed three types of bypassing: i) not using health centers or health posts for primary care; ii) seeking care outside of the residential neighborhood; iii) directly seeking care at teaching hospitals.

Results

A total of 620 households were interviewed, linked to 88 health facilities. Among 571 adults who had recently sought non-emergency care, 65% sought care at a hospital. Among 141 children who recently sought care for diarrhea, cough, fever, or fast breathing, 34% sought care at a hospital. 71% of adults bypassed primary care facilities, 26% bypassed health centers and hospitals close to them for more distant facilities, and 8% directly sought care at a teaching hospital. Bypassing was also observed for 59% of children, who were more likely to seek care outside of the formal care sector, with 21% of children treated at drug shops or pharmacies.

Conclusions

The results presented here strongly highlight the complexity of urban health systems. Most adult patients in Lusaka do not use public primary health facilities for non-emergency care, and heavily rely on pharmacies and drug shops for treatment of children. Major efforts will likely be needed if the government wants to instate health centers as the principal primary care access point in this setting.
Optimization of a protocol for the evaluation of antibody responses to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in low-resource settings
Authors: Donkoh Emmanuel Timmy , Dassah Edward Tieru , Owusu-Dabo Ellis
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Available human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines could have an important primary role in cervical cancer prevention once their long-term immunogenicity and safety are evaluated at the population level. The aim of this study was to optimize an assay to be used in evaluating the long-term durability of HPV vaccine response following a pilot vaccination of adolescent girls in Ghana.

Methods

A rapid, high-throughput, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was optimized for the detection and quantitation of anti-HPV L1 (late expression protein: types 6, 11, 16 and 18) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in human serum (n = 89). The utility of the assay was demonstrated using serum collected from a cohort of pre-adolescent girls (n = 49) previously vaccinated with a quadrivalent vaccine and non-immune serum obtained from age-matched controls (n = 40).

Results

The assay showed good discrimination of antibody levels between cases and control sera: seroprevalence of anti-HPV IgG antibodies was significantly higher among vaccinated than unvaccinated girls for both HPV-16 (63.3% vs. 12.5%; p < 0.001) and HPV-18 (34.7% vs. 20.0%; p = 0.042), respectively. Thirty-six months after receiving the third dose of vaccine, significantly higher mean anti-HPV-16 (0.618 vs. 0.145), anti-HPV-18 (0.323 vs. 0.309), and anti-HPV-6 (1.371 vs. 0.981) antibody levels were measured, compared to unvaccinated girls (all p < 0.05). A correlation between optical density and antibody activity indicated assay sensitivity to increasing levels of antibody activity.

Conclusion

We have successfully optimized and implemented a robust and sensitive assay for the evaluation of antibody responses among immunized adolescent girls for monitoring future large-scale HPV vaccination studies in low-income settings. Our results demonstrated greater immunoglobulin G antibody activity within serum drawn from adolescent girls immunized 36 months prior.
Compassion and extracurricular activities of Portuguese Health Sciences students in Portugal
Authors: Santiago Luiz Miguel , Rosendo Inês , Valente Catarina , Ferreira António Cruz , Simões José Augusto
Published: June 2022

Background

Compassion, one of the items of empathy, is crucial in health care professions. So, the evaluation of the levels of compassion of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Master Degrees’ (M.D.) students of the public Colleges in Portugal according to the type of Master Degree and the participation in extracurricular activities (E.A.) was a task to be performed.

Methods

Cross-sectional study in 2020, applying an on-line questionnaire including the “Compassion” items of the Jefferson Medical Empathy Scale – Students’ version and questions about the participation in E.A.

Results

A sample of 901 students was studied. Its distribution by participation in E.A. did not differ significantly between M.D. (p = 0,854), most of the students participating in E.A. Using quartile distribution of compassion, the distribution of compassion levels was different among the three I.M. (p < 0.001), between Colleges (p < 0.001), and between curricular years (p < 0.001), with not different between genders (p = 0.036). For 56.4%, 74,6% and 69,5% of the respondents there was “medium-low” and “low” compassion for I.M. in Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dentistry. These levels were also more prevalent among students in the 1st and 5th years. Levels of compassion were not different with the participation (p = 0,865), type (p = 0,177) and frequency of E.A. (p = 0,109).

Conclusions

For their importance in future health care professionals, compassion and their differences found among the M.Ds. of this area deserve future studies. Levels of compassion showed differences between the M.D. studied and academic years of frequency. There was no relationship between the participation, type, and frequency of E.A. and the students’ levels of compassion.

The distribution of the level of compassion did not vary significantly with participation in E.A. (p = 0.865), with the type of E.A. (p = 0.177), with the frequency of E.A. (p = 0.109) or with the answer to the question “The practice of E.A. can make a person more compassionate?” (p = 0.503).