bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protocol for an attention-matched randomized controlled trial of 2GETHER: a relationship education and HIV prevention program for young male couples
Authors: Newcomb Michael E. , Sarno Elissa L. , Bettin Emily , Conway Adam , Carey James , Garcia Christopher , Hill Ricky , Jozsa Kyle , Swann Gregory , Addington Elizabeth L. , Ciolino Jody D. , Macapagal Kathryn , Moskowitz Judith T. , Mustanski Brian , Whitton Sarah W.
Published: June 2022

Background

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic in the USA, and a large number of new infections among YMSM occur in the context of main or primary partnerships. At the same time, healthy romantic relationships promote health and wellbeing by improving social support and encouraging healthy behaviors. Thus, we created 2GETHER: a relationship education and HIV prevention program for young male couples. 2GETHER is delivered face-to-face in a university setting and is composed of two group sessions and two individualized skills coaching sessions. We observed strong support of the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of 2GETHER in a pilot trial.

Methods

We are conducting an attention-matched randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of 2GETHER relative to a control condition based on a well-validated positive affect enhancement program. Enrollment occurred between August 2017 and March 2021 in Chicago and surrounding areas, and we enrolled and randomized 128 dyads (N = 256 individuals). Follow-up is ongoing and we will examine primary and secondary behavioral outcomes at 12 months post-intervention, with interim follow-up at 3, 6, and 9 months post-intervention. The primary biomedical outcome is sexually transmitted infection incidence at a 12-month follow-up.

Discussion

2GETHER is innovative in that it places an equal emphasis on relationship skill building and HIV prevention. Thus, the program has the potential to impact numerous health-related outcomes. Despite challenges related to the recruitment of couples and the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to enroll a robust sample of young male couples with sufficient power to detect effects on study outcomes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03186534.
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a Fuling-Zexie decoction for people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: protocol for a prospective, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Yan Jingyao , Zhou Yingyan , Yang Qiaowen , Wu Jiaqi , He Xiaohong
Published: June 2022

Background

Hyperuricemia increases the risk of gout and cardiovascular complications, and how to manage asymptomatic hyperuricemia is controversial. Randomized controlled trials and comparative studies are needed to guide management and treatment. Studies show that Chinese medicine can decrease uric acid through multiple targets, but many of these studies have been conducted in animals because of the lack of a consistent prescription and mechanism. Therefore, we designed this research to study whether Chinese medicine is truly effective and which target is essential by using an approved prescription of a Fuling-Zexie decoction to further guide large sample experiments to determine whether Chinese medicine can reduce the long-term incidence of gout and cardiovascular events.

Methods

This pilot study is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial developed from March 2020 to December 2021. Thirty people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia will be recruited and assigned to either the Chinese medicine group or placebo group, and each group will have 15 subjects. During the 12-week observation period, there will be 4 visits. The decline in uric acid is the main outcome measure, and urinary uric acid, inflammatory biomarkers, and other indices that may be involved in lowering uric acid are the secondary outcome measures.

Discussion

This study will probe the effect of Chinese medicine treatment on hyperuricemia and explore possible therapeutic mechanisms. By performing this trial, we hope to provide evidence and data to support further large clinical studies.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2000038575. Registered on September 24, 2020.
Insulin use in Type 2 diabetic patients: a predictive of mortality in covid‑19 infection
Authors: Assaad Marc , Hekmat-Joo Nakisa , Hosry Jeff , Kassem Ali , Itani Ahmad , Dahabra Loai , Abou Yassine Ahmad , Zaidan Julie , El Sayegh Dany
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Starting December 2019, the world has been devastated by the rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Many risk factors have been associated with worse outcomes and death from Covid-19 pneumonia including having diabetes mellitus. To date, it is not clear if all group of diabetics share the same risk of complications with COVID-19 infection. This study aims to compare disease severity and mortality rate in insulin users versus non-insulin users.

Methods

In this retrospective case–control study conducted at the largest health care network in New York state, we included adult, diabetic patients admitted from March 2020 to October 2020 with Covid-19 pneumonia. We compared the baseline characteristics in addition to outcomes of diabetic patients on home insulin (cases) and non-insulin user diabetics (controls). In addition, to determine if home insulin use is associated with an increased mortality, we conducted a cox regression analysis.

Results

We included 696 patients in the study period with a median age of 57 years, interquartile range [IQR] 51–62, and median body mass index 29.9 (IQR: 26–34.7). The majority (476 [68%]) were males. We identified 227 cases (33%) and 469 controls (67%). More cases than controls were hypertensive (74% vs 67%, p = 0.03), on ACE/ARB (50% vs 42%, p = 0.05), and had a hemoglobin A1c > 8.1 (71% vs 44%, p < 0.001). More cases had AKI (52% vs 38%, p < 0.001), however no significant differences were found in intubation rates (26% vs 24%, p = 0.54), detection of pulmonary embolism (4% vs 6%, p = 0.19) or death rate (15% vs 11%, p = 0.22) comparing cases and controls. In a multivariate analysis, we found that home insulin use was independently associated with increased risk of death: Hazard ratio: 1.92, 95% confidence interval (1.13–3.23).

Conclusion

We showed herein that diabetic patients on home insulin with COVID-19 pneumonia, have worse outcomes and increased mortality compared to diabetics on oral antihyperglycemic agents. Close monitoring of insulin-dependent type II diabetic patients is needed in the current pandemic.
Octopamine receptor gene influences social grouping in the masked birch caterpillar
Authors: Yadav Chanchal , Yack Jayne E. , Smith Myron L.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Group-living plays a key role in the success of many insects, but the mechanisms underlying group formation and maintenance are poorly understood. Here we use the masked birch caterpillar, Drepana arcuata, to explore genetic influences on social grouping. These larvae predictably transition from living in social groups to living solitarily during the 3rd instar of development. Our previous study showed a notable shift in the D. arcuata transcriptome that correlates with the transition from grouping to solitary behavior. We noted that one differentially regulated gene, octopamine receptor gene (DaOAR), is a prominent ‘social’ gene in other insect species, prompting us to test the hypothesis that DaOAR influences grouping behavior in D. arcuata. This was done using RNA interference (RNAi) methods by feeding second instar larvae synthetic dsRNAs.

Results

RT–qPCR analysis confirmed a significant reduction in DaOAR transcript abundance in dsRNA-fed larvae compared to controls. Behavioral trials showed that caterpillars with reduced transcript abundance of DaOAR remained solitary throughout the observation period compared to controls. These results provide evidence that regulation of the octopamine receptor gene influences social grouping in D. arcuata, and that specifically, a decrease in octopamine receptor expression triggers the larval transition from social to solitary.
Potential soil methane oxidation in naturally regenerated oak-dominated temperate deciduous forest stands responds to soil water status regardless of their age—an intact core incubation study
Authors: Bras Nicolas , Plain Caroline , Epron Daniel
Published: June 2022

Key message

Potential CH4 oxidation in the top soil layer increased with decreasing soil water content in spring but was inhibited during severe summer drought in naturally-regenerated oak-dominated temperate deciduous forest stands regardless of their age. No direct effect of mineral nitrogen on soil CH4 oxidation was found. Soil CH4 oxidation in temperate forests could be reduced by extreme climatic events.

Context

The oxidation of atmospheric methane (CH4) by methanotrophic bacteria in forest soils is an important but overlooked ecosystem service.

Aim

Our objective was to determine which factors drive variations in soil CH4 oxidation in oak-dominated temperate deciduous forest stands of different ages.

Methods

Soil samples were collected in 16 stands aged 20 to 143 years in periods of high and low soil water content (SWC). The potential rate of soil CH4 oxidation was measured by incubating the first five centimetres of intact soil cores at 20 °C.

Results

SWC was the main driver accounting for variations in CH4 oxidation. In spring, a two-fold reduction in SWC greatly increased CH4 oxidation. But when the soil was dry in late summer, a further reduction in SWC led to a decrease in CH4 oxidation in the top soil layer. No direct effect of mineral nitrogen on soil CH4 oxidation was found.

Conclusions

With regard to soil CH4 oxidation, naturally regenerated forest stands contribute equally to climate change mitigation regardless of their age. Considering future climate scenarios for Europe, soil CH4 sink in temperate forests could be reduced, due to both an increase in the number of flooding episodes in spring and drier summers.
Robust video steganography for social media sharing based on principal component analysis
Authors: Fan Pingan , Zhang Hong , Zhao Xianfeng
Published: June 2022

Most social media channels are lossy where videos are transcoded to reduce transmission bandwidth or storage space, such as social networking sites and video sharing platforms. Video transcoding makes most video steganographic schemes unusable for hidden communication based on social media. This paper proposes robust video steganography against video transcoding to construct reliable hidden communication on social media channels. A new strategy based on principal component analysis is provided to select robust embedding regions. Besides, side information is generated to label these selected regions. Side information compression is designed to reduce the transmission bandwidth cost. Then, one luminance component and one chrominance component are joined to embed secret messages and side information, notifying the receiver of correct extraction positions. Video preprocessing is conducted to improve the applicability of our proposed method to various video transcoding mechanisms. Experimental results have shown that our proposed method provides stronger robustness against video transcoding than other methods and achieves satisfactory security performance against steganalysis. Compared with some existing methods, our proposed method is more robust and reliable to realize hidden communication over social media channels, such as YouTube and Vimeo.
Expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder through locally-initiated implementation
Authors: Wyse Jessica J. , Mackey Katherine , Lovejoy Travis I. , Kansagara Devan , Tuepker Anais , Gordon Adam J. , Todd Korthuis P. , Herreid-O’Neill Anders , Williams Beth , Morasco Benjamin J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite demonstrated efficacy, medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) remain inaccessible to many patients, with barriers identified at the individual, clinic and system level. A wide array of implementation strategies have guided efforts to expand access to MOUD, with most centered around externally-facilitated approaches to practice change. While effective, such approaches may be inaccessible to those clinics and systems that lack the resources necessary to partner with an external team, suggesting a need to identify and describe change-processes that are internally developed and promoted.

Methods

Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we utilized qualitative interviews and ethnographic observation to investigate the planning, design and implementation of a locally-initiated process to expand access to MOUD within one health care system. All study documents were coded by a primary coder and secondary reviewer using a codebook designed for use with the CFIR. To analyze data, we reviewed text tagged by key codes, compared these textual excerpts both across and within documents, and organized findings into themes. Processes identified were mapped to established implementation science constructs and strategies.

Results

Interviews with clinicians and administrators (n = 9) and ethnographic observation of planning meetings (n = 3) revealed how a self-appointed local team developed, established broad support for, and successfully implemented a Primary Care-based Buprenorphine Clinic and E-Consult Service to expand access to MOUD to patients across the health care system. First, national and local policy changes—including altered clinical practice guidelines, performance pay incentives regarding opioid prescribing, and a directive from VA Central Office increased individual staff and administrators’ perception of the need for change and willingness to invest time and resources. Then, a self-appointed interdisciplinary team utilized cross-clinic meetings and information gathering to identify appropriate, and widely supported, models of care delivery and care consultation. Finally, the team increased staff investment in these change efforts by bringing them into the planning process and encouraging collaborative problem solving.

Conclusions

This study reveals how a local team developed and built widespread support for new processes of care that were tailored to local needs and well-positioned for sustainability over time.
The role of the agricultural sector in Ghanaian development: a multiregional SAM-based analysis
Authors: Ferreira Valeria , Almazán-Gómez Miguel Ángel , Nechifor Victor , Ferrari Emanuele
Published: June 2022

Ghana shows remarkable differences in employment and welfare between the southern and northern regions. The promotion of policy focus on the development of the northern regions requires the elaboration of specific databases describing the regional economies. Hence, this work outlines the construction of a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for Ghana for the year 2015 with a high disaggregation of sectors, household income groups and education levels across 10 administrative regions. Linear multisectoral models have been applied to this SAM to estimate socio-economic impacts of potential final demand policies down to a regional level in the Ghanaian economy. Further on, the structural path analysis is used to investigate the role played by different agriculture commodities in transmitting income to different types of households. The results allow for an identification of the most suitable sectors to be promoted due to their ability to generate the highest increases in output, employment and value added in the rest of the economy, as well as those with a significant impact on household income generation. As a result, the primary sector will play a key role in the economic and employment growth of the country. Notably, sorghum and millet, pulses, tobacco, cotton and fibres can be considered favourable crops for development in the Northern region.
Impacts of farmer cooperative membership on household income and inequality: Evidence from a household survey in China
Authors: Zou Yang , Wang Qingbin
Published: June 2022

While joining farmer cooperatives has been identified as a way for farmers, especially small farmers, to overcome their limitations in the marketplace and increase their income, this paper presents an analytical framework for examining how farmer cooperative may increase farmer income in rural China, empirically assesses the impacts of such membership on household income, and examines how the membership may affect income inequality. Data from a large-scale survey of rural households in China are used to examine the impacts of farmer cooperative membership and other factors on household income through a multivariate regression analysis and to test whether the impacts are different across income groups through a quantile regression analysis. The propensity score matching technique is used to address potential self-selection bias problems in the dataset and quantile regression is used to examine the impact for different income quantiles or groups of farmers. The empirical results indicate that farmers participating in professional cooperatives, on average, earned significantly higher income than their counterparts, but the positive impact was not statistically significant for low-income quantiles. This finding suggests that encouraging the development of and participation in farmer cooperatives could increase the average income but may not contribute directly to the policy goal of reducing income inequality in rural China.
Timing is critical: consequences of asynchronous migration for the performance and destination of a long-distance migrant
Authors: Acácio Marta , Catry Inês , Soriano-Redondo Andrea , Silva João Paulo , Atkinson Philip W. , Franco Aldina M. A.
Published: June 2022

Background

Migration phenology is shifting for many long-distance migrants due to global climate change, however the timing and duration of migration may influence the environmental conditions individuals encounter, with potential fitness consequences. Species with asynchronous migrations, i.e., with variability in migration timing, provide an excellent opportunity to investigate how of the conditions individuals experience during migration can vary and affect the migratory performance, route, and destination of migrants.

Methods

Here, we use GPS tracking and accelerometer data to examine if timing of autumn migration influences the migratory performance (duration, distance, route straightness, energy expenditure) and migration destinations of a long-distance, asynchronous, migrant, the white stork (Ciconia ciconia). We also compare the weather conditions (wind speed, wind direction, and boundary layer height) encountered on migration and examine the influence of wind direction on storks’ flight directions.

Results

From 2016 to 2020, we tracked 172 white storks and obtained 75 complete migrations from the breeding grounds in Europe to the sub-Saharan wintering areas. Autumn migration season spanned over a 3-month period (July–October) and arrival destinations covered a broad area of the Sahel, 2450 km apart, from Senegal to Niger. We found that timing of migration influenced both the performance and conditions individuals experienced: later storks spent fewer days on migration, adopted shorter and more direct routes in the Sahara Desert and consumed more energy when flying, as they were exposed to less supportive weather conditions. In the Desert, storks’ flight directions were significantly influenced by wind direction, with later individuals facing stronger easterly winds (i.e., winds blowing to the west), hence being more likely to end their migration in western areas of the Sahel region. Contrastingly, early storks encountered more supportive weather conditions, spent less energy on migration and were exposed to westerly winds, thus being more likely to end migration in eastern Sahel.

Conclusions

Our results show that the timing of migration influences the environmental conditions individuals face, the energetic costs of migration, and the wintering destinations, where birds may be exposed to different environmental conditions and distinct threats. These findings highlight that on-going changes in migration phenology, due to environmental change, may have critical fitness consequences for long-distance soaring migrants.
Effects of bioelectricity generation processes on methane emission and bacterial community in wetland and carbon fate analysis
Authors: Liu Shentan , Xue Hongpu , Wang Yue , Wang Zuo , Feng Xiaojuan , Pyo Sang-Hyun
Published: June 2022

Wetlands are an important carbon sink for greenhouse gases (GHGs), and embedding microbial fuel cell (MFC) into constructed wetland (CW) has become a new technology to control methane (CH4) emission. Rhizosphere anode CW–MFC was constructed by selecting rhizome-type wetland plants with strong hypoxia tolerance, which could provide photosynthetic organics as alternative fuel. Compared with non-planted system, CH4 emission flux and power output from the planted CW–MFC increased by approximately 0.48 ± 0.02 mg/(m2·h) and 1.07 W/m3, respectively. The CH4 emission flux of the CW–MFC operated under open-circuit condition was approximately 0.46 ± 0.02 mg/(m2·h) higher than that under closed-circuit condition. The results indicated that plants contributed to the CH4 emission from the CW–MFC, especially under open-circuit mode conditions. The CH4 emission from the CW–MFC was proportional to external resistance, and it increased by 0.67 ± 0.01 mg/(m2·h) when the external resistance was adjusted from 100 to 1000 Ω. High throughput sequencing further showed that there was a competitive relationship between electrogenic bacteria and methanogens. The flora abundance of electrogenic bacteria was high, while methanogens mainly consisted of Methanothrix, Methanobacterium and Methanolinea. The form and content of element C were analysed from solid phase, liquid phase and gas phase. It was found that a large amount of carbon source (TC = 254.70 mg/L) was consumed mostly through microbial migration and conversion, and carbon storage and GHGs emission accounted for 60.38% and 35.80%, respectively. In conclusion, carbon transformation in the CW–MFC can be properly regulated via competition of microorganisms driven by environmental factors, which provides a new direction and idea for the control of CH4 emission from wetlands.

Graphical Abstract
Reconstruction with omental flap and negative pressure wound therapy after total pelvic exenteration of anal fistula cancer: a case report
Authors: Komono Akira , Yoshimatsu Gumpei , Kajitani Ryuji , Matsumoto Yoshiko , Aisu Naoya , Hasegawa Suguru
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Surgery for anal fistula cancer (AFC) associated with Crohn’s disease usually entails extensive perineal wounds and dead space in the pelvis, which is often filled with a myocutaneous flap. However, use of a myocutaneous flap is invasive. We report a case of total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for AFC in which a myocutaneous flap was avoided by using an omental flap and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Case presentation

The patient was a 47-year-old woman who had been treated for Crohn’s disease involving the small and large intestine for 30 years and had repeatedly developed anal fistulas. She was referred with a diagnosis of AFC that had spread extensively in the pelvis. We performed laparoscopic TPE via a transperineal endoscopic approach. To prevent infection in the large skin defect and extensive pelvic dead space postoperatively, the perineal wound was reconstructed using an omental flap and NPWT. During 20 days of NPWT, the wound steadily decreased in size and closed on postoperative day (POD) 20. She was discharged without complications on POD 30.

Discussion

NPWT is useful for preventing perineal wound infection and promoting granulation tissue formation. However, direct contact with the intestine may lead to intestinal perforation. In this case, the combination of an omental flap with NPWT effectively prevented surgical site infection. The flap filled the large pelvic dead space and physically separated the intestine from the polyurethane foam used for NPWT.

Conclusion

NPWT and an omental flap may become an option when performing TPE.
How well do practicing radiologists interpret the results of CAD technology? A quantitative characterization
Authors: Branch Fallon , Williams K. Matthew , Santana Isabella Noel , Hegdé Jay
Published: June 2022

Many studies have shown that using a computer-aided detection (CAD) system does not significantly improve diagnostic accuracy in radiology, possibly because radiologists fail to interpret the CAD results properly. We tested this possibility using screening mammography as an illustrative example. We carried out two experiments, one using 28 practicing radiologists, and a second one using 25 non-professional subjects. During each trial, subjects were shown the following four pieces of information necessary for evaluating the actual probability of cancer in a given unseen mammogram: the binary decision of the CAD system as to whether the mammogram was positive for cancer, the true-positive and false-positive rates of the system, and the prevalence of breast cancer in the relevant patient population. Based only on this information, the subjects had to estimate the probability that the unseen mammogram in question was positive for cancer. Additionally, the non-professional subjects also had to decide, based on the same information, whether to recall the patients for additional testing. Both groups of subjects similarly (and significantly) overestimated the cancer probability regardless of the categorical CAD decision, suggesting that this effect is not peculiar to either group. The misestimations were not fully attributable to causes well-known in other contexts, such as base rate neglect or inverse fallacy. Non-professional subjects tended to recall the patients at high rates, even when the actual probably of cancer was at or near zero. Moreover, the recall rates closely reflected the subjects’ estimations of cancer probability. Together, our results show that subjects interpret CAD system output poorly when only the probabilistic information about the underlying decision parameters is available to them. Our results also highlight the need for making the output of CAD systems more readily interpretable, and for providing training and assistance to radiologists in evaluating the output.
A longitudinal validation of the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS stand-alone component utilising the Oxford Hip Score in the Australian hip arthroplasty population
Authors: Lin D-Yin , Cheok Tim Soon , Samson Anthony J. , Kaambwa Billingsley , Brown Brigid , Wilson Christopher , Kroon Hidde M. , Jaarsma Ruurd L.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the measurement properties of the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), EQ-5D-5L utility index and EQ-5D-5L visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) in patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty in Australia.

Methods

In this prospective multi-centre study, the OHS and EQ-5D-5L were collected preoperatively, six weeks (6w) and six months (6m) postoperatively. The OHS, EQ-VAS and EQ-5D-5L index were evaluated for concurrent validity, predictive validity (Spearman's Rho of predicted and observed values from a generalised linear regression model (GLM)), and responsiveness (effect size (ES) and standard response mean (SRM)).

Results

362 patients were included in this analysis for 6w and 269 for 6m. The EQ-5D-5L index showed good concurrent validity with the OHS (r = 0.71 preoperatively, 0.61 at 6w and 0.59 at 6m). Predictive validity for EQ-5D-5L index was similar to OHS when regressed (GLM). Responsiveness was good at 6w (EQ-5D-5L index ES 1.53, SRM 1.40; OHS ES 2.16, SRM 1.51) and 6m (EQ-5D-5L index ES 1.88, SRM 1.70; OHS ES 3.12, SRM 2.24). The EQ-VAS returned poorer results, at 6w an ES of 0.75 (moderate) and SRM 0.8. At 6m the EQ-VAS had an ES of 0.92 and SRM of 1.00. It, however, had greater predictive validity.

Conclusions

The EQ-5D-5L index and the OHS demonstrate strong concurrent validity. The EQ-5D-5L index demonstrated similar predictive validity at 6w and 6m, and both PROMs had adequate responsiveness. The EQ-VAS should be used routinely together with the EQ-5D-5L index. The EQ-5D-5L is suitable to quantify health-related quality of life in Australian hip arthroplasty patients.
Factors that influence decomposition timeline estimation in Anambra state, Nigeria
Authors: Onyejike Darlington Nnamdi , Fischer Victor Adolf , Esomonu Ugochukwu Godfrey , Nwamaradi Albert Tobechukwu , Onyejike Ifeoma Miracle
Published: June 2022

Background

Decomposition timeline estimation is one of the key tools used in homicide cases to unravel the mystery behind the time of death of a victim. Decomposition timeline is the time take for a carcass to decay from time of death to skeletonization. Several events occur during this timeline. These events are controlled by certain autolytic and putrefactive factors. Other factors also play a role in the determining the rate of decomposition. However, putrefactive factors aid the eventual breakdown of a carcass. The putrefactive factors are flora activities, fauna activities, soil physicochemical properties, nature of soil, and climatic factors. This study aimed at investigating the factors that play vital role in the estimation of decomposition timeline of Sus scrofa domestica placed on the soil surface in Anambra state, Nigeria.

Results

Findings from the study showed that the factors that statistically (p < .05) influenced the rate of decomposition includes atmospheric temperature, humidity, precipitation, and soil salinity. ANOVA demonstrated that the effect of the 6 predictors was significant for predicting time of decomposition F (6, 48) = 771.118, p < .001. There is a high degree of correlation between the predictors and time, R = .995. This prediction model can explain 9711.839 variables of all possible factors of decomposition but cannot explain 88.161 variables. Result from the prediction model for rate of decomposition showed a high degree of correlation between the predictors and rate of decomposition, R = .986. This model can explain 2438.799 variations in the variables of all possible factors of decomposition but cannot explain 70.334 variations in the variables.

Conclusions

The factors that affect the rate of decomposition include atmospheric temperature, humidity, precipitation, and soil salinity. The prediction model for time and rate of decomposition has a high goodness of fit. The six factors identified in this study should be considered when predicting time and rate of decomposition, so as to ensure accuracy. This implies that daily atmospheric temperature should not be the only data used for predicting the rate and time of decomposition in Anambra state, Nigeria.
Exploring the philosophical values of kimchi and kimjang culture
Authors: Surya Reggie , Lee Anne Ga-Yeon
Published: June 2022

Kimchi is a traditional fermented vegetable dish from Korea globally appraised as healthy food. The most common kimchi is baechu kimchi made from Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa). Having been an integral part in the Korean food culture for thousands of years, kimchi is considered as a symbol of Korean identity and pride. The importance of kimchi in Korean food culture is reflected from a special annual event dedicated to the making of kimchi held in autumn known as kimjang. It is a festive communal traditional practice of preparing large quantities of kimchi to be consumed throughout winter. Such an activity has been listed as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2013. Indeed, the unique culture of kimchi and kimjang stems from the ancient wisdoms and old traditions of Korea that are rich in philosophy. This review discusses different philosophical values of kimchi and the kimjang culture in Korean traditions, including their accordance with the ancient philosophy of yin and yang, the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), medicinal food, beauty, communal activity, filial piety, and humanistic values. Understanding the philosophical values of kimchi and kimjang culture would make people see kimchi not only as a mere ethnic food, but also as a global cultural heritage that needs preserving for its continuity in the future.
Potential role of microRNAs in pancreatic cancer manifestation: a review
Authors: Kabiraj Lisa , Kundu Atreyee
Published: June 2022

Cancer cells are different from normal cells in regard to phenotypic and functional expression. Cancer is the outcome of aberrant gene expression affecting various cellular signaling pathways. MicroRNAs (MiRs) are small, non-coding RNAs regulating the expression of various protein-coding genes post-transcriptionally and are known to play critical roles in the complicated cellular pathways leading to cell growth, proliferation, development, and apoptosis. MiRs are involved in various cancer-related pathways and function both as tumor suppressor and cancer-causing genes. There is a need for significant biomarkers, and better prognostication of response to a particular treatment and liquid biopsy could be useful to appraise such potential biomarkers. This review has focused on the involvement of anomalous expression of miRs in human pancreatic cancer and the investigation of miR-based biomarkers for disease diagnosis and better therapeutic selection.
A Peer Supervision Pilot Scheme
Authors: Middleton Laura , Johal Jag , Swift Geraldine
Published: June 2022

Aims

Following mixed feedback from Foundation (FY) trainees during their Psychiatry placements, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust introduced a pilot scheme whereby FY and General Practice (GP) trainees were paired with a current Psychiatry Core Trainee (CT). This was in addition to regular Clinical Supervisor meetings with weekly self-directed sessions encouraged. Suggestions included covering portfolio requirements or facilitating joint learning. The study aimed to improve FY/GP experience through increased learning and relationship-building opportunities. It equally offered leadership experience for CTs and development of supervision skills. Feedback gathered from the initial pilot would highlight difficulties and guide future peer supervision schemes.

Methods

All FY/GP trainees allocated to the Trust from April–August 2021 were included. CTs were included by default but given the option to opt-out (opt-out policy). Pairings were made based on locality where possible (group sizes ranging from 2 to 3) and an initial supervisor training session was provided by the Director of Medical Education. Online feedback surveys were sent to all participants at baseline and after the pilot.

Results

44 doctors were included in the pilot scheme, of which 26 completed the pre-pilot survey and 16 completed the post-pilot survey. Expected personal benefit prior to the scheme averaged 7.1/10, where 10 was deemed “extremely helpful” and 1 “not at all”. Following the scheme, experienced personal benefit was valued at 4.7/10. Reported benefits of the scheme were friendship, support and learning, although around a third described no benefit whatsoever. The most common problem encountered was that of being unable to meet and was seen in almost half of cases, with detailed feedback citing rota clashes or working on separate sites. Other problems included poor engagement and feeling the pairing was a poor match. Written feedback stated that the scheme was a good idea and well-supported, however there were challenges with its execution.

Conclusion

Response rates were low throughout but particularly in the post-pilot survey, limiting interpretation. Overall, final scores did not appear to reflect initial optimism. The next cycle will include only CTs who have requested to be involved (opt-in policy), to establish whether this improves engagement. It will additionally incorporate a mid-point review to highlight and address issues at an earlier stage. The scheme is due to be repeated in 2022 and re-evaluated.
“Decolonising” the University of Edinburgh Medical School Psychiatry Curriculum
Authors: Nelson Emily , Cooper Deborah , Gandhi Pujit , King Heather , Lloyd Elizabeth , Burrell Jamie , Pathak Anushka
Published: June 2022

Aims

The concept of “decolonisation” has gradually evolved within higher education, and can be defined as seeking to discern how historical systems of discrimination have shaped the networks around us, and how to adjust to the perspectives of those who have been oppressed and minoritised by these systems. Our aim was to assess what gaps there are in the Edinburgh Medical School psychiatry curriculum, in order that this might inform our next steps in “decolonising” the curriculum.

Methods

We reviewed all the teaching materials used for teaching Year 5 Psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh (n = 101). We made a count of the number of people or cases in each resource and the diversity of examples used. We subsequently examined each resource to see if it touched on each of six key areas considered to be representative of a “decolonising” effort. These were the assignment of gender only where necessary, cultural/religious differences, historical context, health inequalities, the patient-doctor relationship and global topics.

Results

Of the resources where each of the criteria were applicable, 18% only assigned gender where necessary or left gender neutral, 4.35% addressed cultural or religious differences, 5.8% discussed the historical context, 4.35% tackled health inequalities, 1.45% raised the doctor-patient relationship and none introduced global topics. Of all the resources that include a direct reference to a patient or case, only 5.41% were explicitly from a different ethnic group other than “white”.

Conclusion

Our results show that all the key areas can be improved on. Addressing these issues has not been a focus for the curriculum before now and our next steps will be to approach each topic in turn and consider how the key areas can be introduced. We are assembling a focus group of psychiatrists and medical students and have designed a survey for students who have completed their psychiatry block.

With time, we hope to cultivate an attitude amongst students and teachers of psychiatry at Edinburgh University that boldly confronts the historical development of our subject, acknowledges those who have suffered for it, picks up on what may be missing or misrepresented, and encourages critical analysis of research. Our teaching materials should include examples which explore stereotypes and challenge prejudices. By broadening our repertoire, confronting the darker parts of our history, listening to those with quieter voices, and paying attention to lived experience, we can foster a culture of teaching and learning which is open, flexible and humble.
Using Social Media to Improve Mental and Physical Health Literacy: The Meeting of Arts and Sciences
Authors: Okhiai Lopez , Loo Jiann Lin
Published: June 2022

Aims

Generation Z and millennials are tech-savvy and they learn more from videos compared to books. On average young people from the digital age spend more than five hours on digital gadgets. Innovative use of social media technology will improve the access to health information amongst this group of users. This article aims to share the project of using short video clips in social media, combined with poetry to improve mental and physical health literacy.

Methods

Short video clips (ranging from one to three minutes) were produced out of passion by the first author using the elements of poetry, rhyming, humour, artistic expressions, simulated play of clinical scenarios and news reporting style which depends on the creativity and suitability of the content. The production process includes initial conceptualisation, script drafting and editing, video-recording using a smartphone, and subsequent editing using phone and Canva software. Subtitles and captions were added to increase accessibility. The videos were uploaded in Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok under the name of “dr_lokai”. There is no external funding involved. The cost involved included subscription of editing software and the purchase of recording equipment.

Results

The project was first conceptualised in 2014. Total videos produced so far is 70. The topics of mental health included both normal psychological topics (mental health, self-reflective practice, self-motivation, self-compassions, and self-actualisation) and disorder-related topics (delirium, generalised anxiety disorder, emotionally-unstable personality disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder); while the physical health topics included cardiology, dermatology, infectious diseases, etc.). There were also videos on stigma, interesting contemporary topics around public health and healthcare education. One of the videos was a collaborative work with The Royal College of Physicians, elaborating on the personal and non-clinical facet of journey in medical school. As of the day of submission, the number of followers was 1710. Qualitative feedback from the audiences was generally positive. There were frequent requests from audiences for videos on specific medical topics.

Conclusion

A creative generation requires a creative approach in outreach. The strength of this initiative is the low-cost production nature and it is freely accessible by anyone with internet access. In the future, more videos which involve debunking medical myths and history of medicine can be added. The main challenge is finding time to write the script, rehearse and record. Although the effectiveness and efficiency of this innovative initiative requires a systematic evaluation, passions in sharing medical knowledge using social media have kept this initiative alive.
Findings From Three Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry Educational Events Aimed at Medical Students and Junior Doctors
Authors: Shaikh Nasreen , Singh Niraj , Barrett Mary , Tromans Samuel , Jaggi Prabhleen Singh
Published: June 2022

Aims

To review feedback from three Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry educational events attended by medical students and junior doctors, to establish their impact and whether they can influence interest in Psychiatry/Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry as a career.

Methods

Three events were organised to a) increase understanding of Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry and b) promote career interest in the specialty, aiding recruitment efforts. Two were Face to Face Events (FFEs) whereas one was an Online Event (OE) in keeping with COVID-19 restrictions.

The programme for the events was varied including key clinical topics such as Intellectual Disability, autism, ADHD and epilepsy as well as leadership, management, research and training information. Presentations were approximately 20 min in duration. 31 delegates attended the 2018 FFE, 28 attended the 2019 FFE and 65 attended the 2020 OE.

The 2018 FFE and 2020 OE were primarily attended by medical students whereas the 2019 FFE was attended primarily by junior doctors.

Delegates rated each presentation from 1 (poor) to 5(excellent) and provided comments. At the 2018 and 2019 FFEs we assessed impact on career interest.

Results

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The majority of delegates from both FFEs agreed that such events helped to facilitate understanding of neurodevelopmental psychiatry and encourage recruitment to psychiatry.

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The majority of delegates at the 2019 FFE agreed that their interest in a career in neurodevelopmental psychiatry had increased following attendance

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Attendance was highest at the 2020 OE and overall rating was 4.63/5.

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Across the events, popular topics were Autism, Career path and Physical Health needs in Intellectual disability.

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Themes in terms of comments included “friendly, inspiring speakers” and “opportunity for interactivity” (noted at OE).

Conclusion

Both the OE and FFEs were enjoyed by medical students and junior doctors.

Analysis showed key topics such as autism attract interest but also that diverse topics in different formats are important. Human factors that seemed important included inspiring, friendly speakers and a relaxed, interactive atmosphere. OEs are cost-effective and have the potential to attract a bigger audience but may present a challenge in terms of interaction. FFEs impact positively on career interest and this needs to be assessed further in terms of online events.
Setting Up an Out of Hours Supervision Group at St Charles Mental Health Unit
Authors: Thet Win , Naismith Hamish , Rahman Mehtab
Published: June 2022

Aims

Psychiatric on-calls are often regarded as the most challenging aspect of core psychiatric training. This audit aimed to gain trainee feedback about on-calls at one of London's busiest mental health units, whether they were receiving adequate supervision for emergency and out of hours work and to design an intervention to improve on-call supervision experience for core and higher trainees.

Methods

A qualitative survey to assess the out of hours clinical experiences of trainees was conducted. The survey explored the following domains: trainees’ confidence in dealing with emergencies out of hours, quality of supervision and individual learning opportunities.

Results

Results indicated low to moderate confidence levels among trainees in performing out of hours’ clinical tasks. The majority were of the opinion that further supervision for on-calls would be beneficial. 59% of trainees stated they struggled to complete work place based assessments (WPBAs) on out of hours cases. In view of the findings, a quality improvement framework was used to introduce a supervision group that gave trainees the opportunity to learn from their out of hours complex cases with a Consultant Psychiatrist as a chair. Following the implementation of the group, a qualitative survey revealed improved confidence, morale and training satisfaction among trainees. The results of the survey and feedback from trainees will be shared in details in the poster. This group has been running successfully for the last one year.

Conclusion

The introduction of an out of hours supervision group in busy mental health units can lead to an improvement in confidence and enable professional and educational development for trainees, which will also help improve overall morale as evidenced by this audit. Additional supervision and developing confidence of junior doctors in dealing with out of hours’ complex cases has enabled trainees to feel more supported and has led to increased training satisfaction at St Charles Hospital, London.