bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quando as Marias falam: assessorias de imprensa no debate sobre a violência contra mulheres em Mato Grosso do Sul
Authors: Panziera Tathiane Espíndola , Miguel Katarini Giroldo
Published: March 2023

Nossa pesquisa analisa a influência das assessorias de imprensa de órgãos voltados às políticas públicas para mulheres em Mato Grosso do Sul no debate sobre violência de gênero. Cruzamos os materiais divulgados pelas assessorias entre março e novembro de 2019 com as publicações dos principais jornais do estado para entender o quanto e como esses temas eram abordados. A partir do clipping e da auditoria de imagem, debatemos o espaço explorado e trazemos sugestões que ampliariam a participação das “Marias” na cobertura midiática.
Histórias de morte matada contadas feito morte morrida
Authors: Oliveira Niara de , Rodrigues Vanessa
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo, as autoras analisam a forma como a imprensa relata casos de feminicídio no Brasil e demonstram que em muitos casos existe uma culpabilização das mulheres pelo crime que lhes tirou a vida. Essa narrativa acontece tanto na esfera linguística, com o uso disseminado de verbos na voz passiva, quanto nas imagens e no subtexto das reportagens, que insiste em expressar o feminicídio como crime passional. O artigo conclui pela necessidade urgente e coletiva de repensar a forma como o relato jornalístico é construído.
Envelhecimento feminino e etarismo nas organizações: o desafio da mulher madura no mundo do trabalho
Authors: Corrêa Luciana Silva
Published: March 2023

Estima-se que, em 2100, a população acima de 60 anos chegará a 40,3% do total de brasileiros. Esse fato aponta para o envelhecimento da força de trabalho e torna urgente a realização de estudos que discutam o fenômeno. Destacamos o envelhecimento das mulheres, alvo de duplo preconceito: o sexismo e o etarismo. Realizamos uma análise crítica, cultural e reflexiva, sobre o envelhecer feminino nas organizações, ressaltando o papel relevante da comunicação organizacional na construção de um ambiente de trabalho multicultural e aberto à diversidade
Reflexões sobre relações interseccionais de poder nas trajetórias de mulheres relações-públicas no Brasil
Authors: Ferrari Maria Aparecida , Conrad Kalliandra Quevedo , Restrepo Sandra Milena Ortega
Published: March 2023

O artigo analisa as construções de sentido sobre as relações interseccionais de poder que marcaram a trajetória de quatro mulheres que atuam como relações-públicas. Buscamos responder à questão: de que modo essas relações de poder sustentam as desigualdades vivenciadas pelas relações-públicas no Brasil? A partir da abordagem teórico-metodológica da Análise de Discurso Crítica, os resultados mostram a predominância do discurso da meritocracia, que naturaliza a discriminação vivenciada pelas mulheres, expressa pela naturalização da maternidade, a individualização do trabalho do cuidado e o não reconhecimento do racismo estrutural, entre outros.
Poststroke Intravenous Transplantation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Brain Repair Dynamics and Functional Outcomes in Aged Mice
Authors: Zhang Wenting , Pu Hongjian , Hu Xiaoming , Shi Yejie , Leak Rehana K. , Anne Stetler R. , Ye Qing , Lyu Junxuan , Zhang Feng , Wechsler Lawrence R. , Chen Jun
Published: March 2023

Background:

Stroke is the primary cause of chronic disability in the elderly, as there are no neurorestorative treatments for those who do not qualify for recanalization therapy. Experimental evidence in stroke animals suggests that transplantation of bone marrow–derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) holds promise, but hMSC transplantation has not been systematically tested in aged animals. We tested the hypothesis that poststroke hMSC transplantation improves stroke recovery in aged mice by promoting brain repair.

Methods:

Permanent focal cerebral ischemia was induced in 20-month-old C57BL/6 male mice by distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Bone marrow–derived hMSCs were expanded in vitro and then administrated intravenously into mice (1×10
6
cells in PBS) 24 hours after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Sensorimotor and cognitive functions, brain atrophy, and brain repair processes (neurogenesis, angiogenesis, oligodendrogenesis) were assessed for up to 56 days after stroke.

Results:

Poststroke hMSC transplantation did not mitigate brain atrophy or improve neuronal survival at 56 days after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. However, hMSC-treated mice displayed superior neurobehavioral performances in the open field, rotarod, adhesive removal, novel object, and Morris water maze tests compared with PBS-treated controls. hMSCs promoted white matter integrity and enhanced angiogenesis and oligodendrogenesis—but not neurogenesis—in the stroke brain. Positive correlations between neurobehavioral performance and brain repair profiles or white matter integrity were observed in stroke mice.

Conclusions:

Poststroke hMSC transplantation improves long-term stroke recovery in aged mice, likely via mechanisms involving enhanced microvascular regeneration and white matter restoration.
DOES PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT BREACH LEAD TO PROCRASTINATION AT WORK? THE MEDIATION FUNCTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL CYNICISM
Authors: AYDIN Esra
Published: March 2023

This study aims at exploring the psychological contract breach’s impact on procrastination at work. Besides, the present study examines whether organizational cynicism mediates this impact. Drawing on social exchange and affective events theory, this study hypothesized that the psychological contract breach would increase procrastination at work, and organizational cynicism would mediate the link between psychological contract breach and procrastination at work. We gathered data from 237 employees by adopting the survey method for testing the hypotheses. All analyses were conducted by using quantitative research methods. Findings indicated that psychological contract breach significantly increased work procrastination. In addition, organizational cynicism had a full mediation role. Several implications were proposed based on the findings.
Virtues or Talent among Brotherless Daughters: A Study of How Patriarchal Gender Ideals Affect Gender Role Attitudes among Women from the One-Child Generation in China
Authors: Liu Ye
Published: March 2023

Are women from the one-child generation in China gender egalitarians? Despite extensive studies on gender role attitudes from structural and cultural perspectives, limited research has explored the significance of gender role attitudes in Global South contexts, like China, which have unique demographic and cultural characteristics. This study focuses on the talent-and-virtue gender ideal – a classic set of patriarchal gender norms in which men are judged by their talent but women by virtues. Using 82 individual interviews with siblingless women, this study argues that women’s accumulation of socio-economic, geographical and financial (dis)advantages through the life course, particularly in relation to their husbands, drives their divergent gender role attitudes. Findings reveal the limitations of structural and cultural perspectives in explaining divergence and conversions of gender attitudes. A life-course accumulation and relational positionality lens offers an opportunity for scholars to assess the complexity of gender attitudes in Global South contexts and to analyse persistent gender inequalities in patriarchal cultures.
A cross-sectional study of nutritional status and dietary intake of paediatric oncology patients in Indonesia: Comparison between cancer aetiologies
Authors: Ermamilia Aviria , Aulia Bianda , Mulatsih Sri
Published: March 2023

Background: Adequate energy and protein intakes are required to maintain nutritional status and prevent clinical deterioration in paediatric oncology patients. There are limited investigations of malnutrition and dietary intake adequacy during treatment in developing countries. Aim: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and macro- and micronutrient intake adequacy in paediatric oncology patients undergoing therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr Sardjito Hospital, Indonesia. Sociodemographic, anthropometry, dietary intake, and anxiety status were collected. Patients were grouped based on cancer aetiology (haematological malignancy (HM) or solid tumour (ST). Variables between groups were compared. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: 82 patients aged 5–17 years (65.9% HM) were analysed. The prevalence of underweight was 24.4% (ST vs HM: 26.9% vs 23.2%), overweight 9.8% (ST vs HM: 11.5% vs 8.5%), and obesity 6.1% (ST vs HM: 0.0% vs 8.5%) according to BMI-for-age z-score. Mid-upper-arm circumference identified undernutrition in 55.7% and overnutrition in 3.7% of the patients. Stunted growth was found in 20.8% of the patients. Percentages of children with inadequate energy and protein intake were 43.9% and 26.8%, respectively. The percentages of participants meeting the national micronutrient requirements were low, ranging from 3.8% to 56.1%, with the highest adherence rate observed for vitamin A and the lowest for vitamin E. Appetite loss was associated with lower overall intake. Conclusion: This study confirmed that malnutrition is prevalent in paediatric patients treated for cancer. Inadequate intakes of macro- and micro-nutrients were also common, highlighting the need for early nutritional assessment and intervention.
Composite cement embedded in a biopolymer matrix for bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Monia Trimeche , Ridha Ben Cheikh , Hassib Keskes
Published: March 2023

Bone substitutes are biomaterials applied in surgical therapy to repair many cases of a damaged bone. More than two million bone surgeries using biomaterials are realised each year worldwide. In this line of research, the researchers of this project study developed a bioresorbable synthetic bone substitute designated by (β-TCP/DCPD)-PHBV which is a mixture of the two materials: β-TCP/DCPD and PHBV in a 60/40 weight fraction. This research study attempts to categorize the (β-TCP/DCPD)-PHBV and evaluate its ability on triggering bone regeneration by making bone implants on 12 New Zealand white male rabbits. The RESEARCHERS performed multi-scale studies namely; a uniaxial compression test, an examination by scanning electron microscopy, and analysis with infrared spectroscopy in order to get the characteristics. The neoformed bone is examined by SEM coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). In addition to the salient mechanical benefits; attenuation of the modulus of elasticity and limitation of brittleness, the biomaterial has also proven to be effective in giving rise to new bone tissues having a suitable mineral composition.
Long-Term Trends of Coagulation Parameters in People Living With HIV Treated With Combined Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Bhoelan Soerajja , Borjas Howard Jaime , Tichelaar Vladimir , Bierman Wouter , Meijer Karina
Published: March 2023

Trends of coagulation parameters during long-term treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) are unclear. We followed 40 male subjects living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Plasma levels of procoagulant parameters, factor VIII, von Willebrand factor and D-dimer, and anticoagulant parameter Protein S (PS), were measured before start and 3 months, 1 year, and 9 years after. Analyses were adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors (age, smoking, and hypertension) at baseline. At baseline, procoagulant parameters were markedly elevated and PS was in the lower range of normal. CD4/CD8-ratio improved during the complete follow-up period. In the first year, procoagulant parameters were decreasing, but at year 9 an increase was observed. After correction for cardiovascular risk factors, this increase was no longer present. PS remained stable during the first year and slightly increased from one to 9 years. This study indicates that decreasing immune activation by cART reverses the procoagulant state in HIV partially during the first year. These parameters increase in the long term despite an on-going decrease in immune activation. This increase might be related to established cardiovascular risk factors.
Identity resilience, science mistrust, COVID-19 risk and fear predictors of vaccine positivity and vaccination likelihood: A survey of UK and Portuguese samples
Authors: Breakwell Glynis M , Jaspal Rusi , Wright Daniel B
Published: March 2023

Based on Identity Process Theory, we hypothesised that two elements of identity resilience (identity worth and identity continuity) differentially predict variance in COVID-19 fear and risk, science mistrust, vaccine positivity, and vaccination likelihood. Data from an online survey of 643 UK and 485 Portuguese adults collected during March 2021 showed the UK and Portuguese did not differ significantly on vaccination likelihood or identity resilience. UK respondents reported less science mistrust, COVID-19 risk, and fear, but higher vaccine positivity than the Portuguese. Identity worth and identity continuity differed between countries in their effects on science mistrust, COVID-19 fear, risk, vaccine positivity and vaccination likelihood. Science mistrust and COVID-19 fear proved key factors in predicting vaccine positivity and vaccination likelihood. We conclude the roles of discrete elements of identity resilience in health behaviour require further examination and action reducing prevalence of specific forms of science mistrust can improve vaccination likelihood.
Research with institutionalized populations: Methodological and ethical dilemmas
Authors: Korzh Alla
Published: March 2023

While there is a strong body of literature documenting various challenges qualitative researchers face with vulnerable populations in the Global North, there is a dearth of research on the ethical dilemmas arising with institutionalized populations in post-authoritarian and post-socialist contexts in the Global South, or Global East. This article sheds light on the methodological challenges and ethical dilemmas emerging in qualitative research with orphanage youth and incarcerated women in Ukraine. The following dilemmas are discussed: methodological relevance, methodological credibility and reliability, methodological flexibility, constrained freedom and limited privacy, perceived researcher identity as a burden, and complicated reciprocity. These reflections on the dilemmas and lessons learned are informed by the author's qualitative research conducted in Ukraine between 2010 and 2019. They serve to guide budding scholars and graduate students who often times feel unprepared in their graduate studies to conduct emotionally intense research with vulnerable populations.
Scry, the Beloved Country: Sinofuturist Forecasting and Accelerationist Aesthetics
Authors: Conn Virginia L.
Published: March 2023

Sinofuturism has emerged within the last 5 years as a compelling label for a wide variety of artistic and literary practices that posit China as “the future” and the future as “Chinese.” Yet this term remains broadly undertheorized outside of accelerationist spheres, where it is often taken as a self-evident truism. In this piece, I explore how—despite its many and varied instantiations—sinofuturist approaches broadly share a preoccupation with temporal surveillance that reinterprets the past as a precondition of an inevitable future, thereby enrolling viewers/readers in the creation of such a future. This practice has a longer history than the term itself presupposes, although the contemporary reimagining of sinofuturist characteristics as part of a globalized, self-defining network is almost entirely a result of engagement with internet technologies. Sinofuturism, despite its short history, carries deterministic paths (and assumptions) in its representations that constrain the potential for plural futures.
Economic Impact of Transport Infrastructure in Ethiopia: The Role of Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Badada Bayissa , Delina G. , Baiqing Sun , Krishnaraj Ramaswamy
Published: March 2023

This article examines the relevant relationship between transport infrastructure and foreign direct investment (FDI) in explaining economic growth from the road and air transport perspectives in Ethiopia over the period 1981 to 2017. To determine the economic effect of transport infrastructure, first, we assess the co-integration between transport infrastructure and economic growth using the autoregressive distributed lag bound test model. Once co-integration is established, the elasticity of economic growth is estimated using Ordinary Least Square estimation techniques. Second, we perform the hierarchical multiple regression to estimate the mediation impact of FDI in the association between transport infrastructure and economic growth. Initially, we have standardized all variables. Then, we estimate the mediating effect of FDI. To validate the consistency of our method, we check the robustness of our model. The obtained result shows that transport infrastructure has a significant long-term economic effect, and the short-run dynamics show the speed of adjustment is corrected by 81% each year toward the long-run path, and thereby transport infrastructure attracts FDI in Ethiopia. Moreover, FDI plays a significant mediating role, thereby increasing the economic growth performance of the country in Ethiopia. The study extends previous research and increases the validity of the findings by investigating the economic impact of transport infrastructure in the Ethiopian context. Moreover, this study is the first research study that explores the mediating role of FDI in the relationship between transport infrastructure and economic growth in Ethiopia.
Gender Differences in Scaling Back: Family Formation and Aspirations toward Work Achievement among Japanese Adults
Authors: Hara Yuko
Published: March 2023

Previous research suggests that family responsibilities can negatively affect work attitudes, particularly for women. The opportunity structure theoretical perspective posits that positions in opportunity structures in the workplace, not gender, shape work attitudes. But few studies have examined how work attitudes change during adulthood or identified which life events precipitate changes in work attitudes. Using six waves of panel data and fixed-effects models, the author examines changes in work attitudes, focusing on aspirations toward work achievement and upon becoming a spouse and subsequently a parent in Japan, a highly gendered, industrialized society. For women, transitions to marriage and parenthood are negatively associated with aspirations, even when controlling for job characteristics, whereas family formation has little association with changes in the aspirations for men. Women scale back their aspirations toward work achievement when forming families, and marriage triggers shifts in the work attitudes.
Network analysis of French inland waterways since 1700
Authors: Litvine Alexis , Mimeur Christophe , Thévenin Thomas , Starzec Arthur , Mille Patrick , Séguy Isabelle , Boissard Raphaëlle , Hare Doriane , Frondizi Alexandre
Published: March 2023

This paper describes the integration of regional navigable networks in France since 1700, using new network connectivity metrics. It shows the progressive integration of the network in the 18th and 19th century and its rapid shrinking in the 20th century.
Deadwood: People, place, and neoliberal forest policy in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Earley Sinead Kathleen
Published: March 2023

This article describes the people and forests in traditional Secwépemc territory in the Interior Plateau of British Columbia (BC), Canada. It examines the intersection of neoliberal forest policy and profound ecological change in the south-central region of the province, with careful attention paid to the wider contexts of settler colonialism. The article critiques the implementation of forest policy reform (the Forest and Range Practices Act, enacted in 2004) as it coincided with one of the first major climate change events of landscape-altering magnitude in BC – the mountain pine beetle outbreak. Between 1998 and 2014, the outbreak resulted in tree mortality for roughly half of the mature lodgepole pine trees in the province. It left an expanse of ‘deadwood’ on the landscape, leading to heightened social and political conflict over how the beetle-affected areas were managed. Research methods include transcripts from a public hearing in Tk’emlúps/Kamloops, supplemented by eighteen semi-structured interviews. The article argues that the confluence of neoliberal forest policy and climate change has further entrenched the settler colonial and corporate capture of forests.
Can academic detailing reduce opioid prescriptions in chronic non-cancer pain?
Authors: Espnes Ketil Arne , Nøst Torunn Hatlen , Handal Marte , Skurtveit Svetlana O. , Langaas Harald C.
Published: March 2023

Background

One measure to support optimal opioid prescription is academic detailing (AD) with one-to-one visits by trained professionals (academic detailers) to general practitioners (GPs).

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of AD visits on GPs’ opioid prescribing patterns in Norway, and academic detailers’ experiences with AD visits to GPs on opioid prescription.

Methods

Design: A quantitative registry study on opioid prescriptions and a qualitative focus group interview study with academic detailers.

Participants: For the registry study, municipalities where more than 75% of the GPs had received an AD visit were considered intervention municipalities, whereas in the non-intervention municipalities no GPs had received AD-visits. In the focus groups, academic detailers who had conducted three or more AD-visits were invited to participate.

Intervention: A campaign on opioid prescription with AD visits using a brochure with key messages based on the national guideline for treatment of chronic non-cancer pain and updated evidence on the potential benefits and risks of prescribing opioids. The AD visits in the campaign were planned for 20–25 min in a one-to-one setting in the GP’s office.

Main Measures: The Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD) was utilized for registry data. Data on amount of drugs dispensed are recoded as Defined Daily Doses (DDDs).

Results

Compared to non-intervention, the intervention resulted in a decrease in the number of prevalent and incident users of opioids and incident users of reimbursed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in municipalities in Central Norway. The results from the focus group interviews were categorized into the themes: “To get in position”, “Adjusting messages”, “What did the GPs struggle with, in relation to opioid prescription?” and “Did we reach the right recipients with the visits?”.

Conclusions

In Central Norway, the intervention resulted in a desired effect on number of opioid users. According to the academic detailers, the GPs’ length of working experience and familiarity with the topic gave different presumptions for making use of the information presented in the AD-visits.
Impact of cholangitis on survival of patients with malignant biliary obstruction treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage
Authors: Niemelä Jarmo , Kallio Raija , Ohtonen Pasi , Saarnio Juha , Syrjälä Hannu
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of cholangitis on survival of patients with gastrointestinal cancer and malignant biliary obstruction treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD).

Methods

A retrospective registry study was performed at a tertiary center from 2000 to 2016 in Northern Finland.

Results

The study included 588 patients, 258 (43.9%) patients with pancreatic cancer, 222 (37.7%) with biliary tract cancer, and 108 (18.4%) with metastasis from gastrointestinal cancers. Patient mean age was 70 years, range 26 − 93 years. There were 288 [49.0%] women. The 30-day mortality rate was 30.8% for 156 patients with cholangitis before PTBD, 19.5% for 215 patients with cholangitis after PTBD and 25.8% for 217 patients without cholangitis (P = 0.039). The median survival was 1.8 months for patients with cholangitis before PTBD, 3.0 months for patients with cholangitis after PTBD, and 3.2 months for patients without cholangitis (P = 0.002). The hazard ratio (HR) for 1-year mortality for patients with cholangitis before PTBD was 1.3 (95% CI 1.06 − 1.67, P = 0.015) compared to patients with cholangitis after PTBD. After successful PTBD, 54 out of 291 patients received chemotherapy; the median survival was 5.2 months with cholangitis before PTBD, 9.4 months with cholangitis after PTBD and 15.3 months without cholangitis.

Conclusion

In gastrointestinal cancers with malignant biliary obstruction, survival is poorer if cholangitis occurs before PTBD compared to cholangitis after PTBD. An oncologist’s consultation is essential for assessing the possibility of chemotherapy in successfully treated PTBD patients, because of the notable survival benefit.
Increased incidence and improved survival in endometrial cancer in Sweden 1960–2014: a population-based registry survey
Authors: Herbst Filip , Dickman Paul W. , Moberg Louise , Högberg Thomas , Borgfeldt Christer
Published: March 2023

Background

An investigation of trends of incidence and net survival (NS) for endometrial cancer in Sweden.

Methods

Morphologically verified endometrial carcinoma diagnosed 1960 to 2014 were collected from the nation-wide Swedish Cancer Registry. Endometrial cancer patients were assessed with regards to time trends for incidence and 54,825 cases remained for survival analyses. Cases diagnosed 1995 to 2014 were categorized according to detailed morphology and from 2005 to 2014 FIGO stage was also categorized.

Results

There was a trend of increasing incidence of endometrial carcinoma for women above 55 years of age. NS was improved at 5- and 10-year follow-up. The 5-year net survival in 2010–2014 was 86%. The most prominent improvement in NS was found in the elderly women above 75 years of age.

Conclusions

This study observed increased incidence of endometrial cancer in Sweden from 1960 to 2014. The progress in diagnostics and treatment, seem to have improved the net survival, especially in elderly women.
A scoping review on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Evenson Kelly R. , Alothman Shaima A. , Moore Christopher C. , Hamza Mariam M. , Rakic Severin , Alsukait Reem F. , Herbst Christopher H. , Baattaiah Baian A. , AlAhmed Reem , Al-Hazzaa Hazzaa M. , Alqahtani Saleh A.
Published: March 2023

Background

In Saudi Arabia, stay-at-home orders to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic between March 15 and 23, 2020 and eased on May 28, 2020. We conducted a scoping review to systematically describe physical activity and sedentary behavior in Saudi Arabia associated with the timing of the lockdown.

Methods

We searched six databases on December 13, 2021 for articles published in English or Arabic from 2018 to the search date. Studies must have reported data from Saudi Arabia for any age and measured physical activity or sedentary behavior.

Results

Overall, 286 records were found; after excluding duplicates, 209 records were screened, and 19 studies were included in the review. Overall, 15 studies were cross-sectional, and 4 studies were prospective cohorts. Three studies included children and adolescents (age: 2–18 years), and 16 studies included adults (age: 15–99 years). Data collection periods were <  = 5 months, with 17 studies collecting data in 2020 only, one study in 2020–2021, and one study in 2021. The median analytic sample size was 363 (interquartile range 262–640). Three studies of children/adolescents collected behaviors online at one time using parental reporting, with one also allowing self-reporting. All three studies found that physical activity was lower during and/or following the lockdown than before the lockdown. Two studies found screen time, television watching, and playing video games were higher during or following the lockdown than before the lockdown. Sixteen adult studies assessed physical activity, with 15 utilizing self-reporting and one using accelerometry. Physical activity, exercise, walking, and park visits were all lower during or following the lockdown than before the lockdown. Six adult studies assessed sedentary behavior using self-report. Sitting time (4 studies) and screen time (2 studies) were higher during or following the lockdown than before the lockdown.

Conclusions

Among children, adolescents, and adults, studies consistently indicated that in the short-term, physical activity decreased and sedentary behavior increased in conjunction with the movement restrictions. Given the widespread impact of the pandemic on other health behaviors, it would be important to continue tracking behaviors post-lockdown and identify subpopulations that may not have returned to their physical activity and sedentary behavior to pre-pandemic levels to focus on intervention efforts.
Trends and quality of randomized controlled trials on acupuncture conducted in Japan by decade from the 1960s to the 2010s: a systematic review
Authors: Masuyama Shoko , Yamashita Hitoshi
Published: March 2023

Background

More new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture have been published in Japan since our last updated systematic review (2010). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the quality of RCTs on acupuncture conducted in Japan and understand the decade-wise changes in the methodological characteristics of the relevant RCTs.

Methods

The literature search was performed using Ichushi Web, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed and our team’s compilation of relevant papers. We included full-length papers reporting RCTs that examined the clinical effects of acupuncture on patients in Japan published in or before 2019. We assessed the risk of bias (RoB), sample size, control setting, negative trial reporting, informed consent, ethics approval, trial registration, and adverse event reporting.

Results

A total of 99 articles reporting 108 eligible RCTs were identified. The number of RCTs published in each decade was 1, 6, 9, 5, 40, and 47 in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, respectively. Quality assessment using the Cochrane RoB tool revealed that “sequence generation” improved in and after 1990 (73%–80% of RCTs were rated as “low”) and “blinding of outcome assessors” slightly improved in and after the 2000s (40%–50% judged as “low”). However, “high” or “unclear” remained the dominant grades in other domains. Clinical trial registration and adverse events were reported only in 9% and 28% of the included RCTs even in the 2010s, respectively. A different acupuncture method or different point selection (e.g., deep vs. shallow insertion) was the most dominant control setting before 1990, while sham (or “placebo”) needling and/or sham acupoints became the most dominant in the 2000s. The proportion of RCTs with positive results was 80% in the 2000s and 69% in the 2010s.

Conclusions

The quality of RCTs on acupuncture conducted in Japan did not appear to have improved over the decades except for “sequence generation.” While the culture of submitting negative trial reports was prevalent in the Japanese acupuncture research milieu as late as the 1990s, the overall quality of the relevant trials needs to be further improved.
Knowledge and attitude towards pediatric pain management among nurses at Ethiopian tertiary hospitals; a multi-center study
Authors: Tagele Takele Dereje , Berhe Yophtahe Woldegerima , Lema Girmay Fitiwi
Published: March 2023

Background

Pain is the most disturbing and annoying symptom experienced by children. However, it obtains poor attention in low- and middle-income countries particularly. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and factors associated with pediatric pain management among nurses in tertiary hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methodology

: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to April 30, 2021. The knowledge and attitude of nurses were measured by using Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey regarding Pain (P-NKAS). Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with knowledge and attitude. The strength of the association was presented by using adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Result

A total of 234 (86.03% response rate) nurses were included and 67.1% of nurses had good knowledge and 89.3% had favorable attitudes towards pediatric pain management. The factors associated with good knowledge were having Bachelor’s Degree and above [AOR = 2.1, P = 0.015], having in-service training [AOR = 2.4, P = 0.008] and favorable attitude [AOR = 3.3, CI = 0.008]. The nurses who demonstrated good knowledge [AOR = 3.3, P = 0.003] and those who had Bachelor’s Degree and above [AOR = 2.8, P = 0.03] were found to have favorable attitude.

Conclusion

The nurses who were working in pediatrics care areas had good knowledge and favorable attitude towards pediatrics pain management. However, improvements are needed to eradicate misconceptions; particularly, on pediatrics pain perception, opioid analgesia, multimodal analgesia, and non-pharmacologic pain therapies. Nurses who had higher level of education, in-service training, favorable attitude were found to be knowledgeable. Furthermore, nurses who had higher levels of education and knowledge were found to have favorable attitude.
Long-term ambient air pollution exposure and cardio-respiratory disease in China: findings from a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wright Neil , Newell Katherine , Chan Ka Hung , Gilbert Simon , Hacker Alex , Lu Yan , Guo Yu , Pei Pei , Yu Canqing , Lv Jun , Chen Junshi , Li Liming , Kurmi Om , Chen Zhengming , Lam Kin Bong Hubert , Kartsonaki Christiana
Published: March 2023

Background

Existing evidence on long-term ambient air pollution (AAP) exposure and risk of cardio-respiratory diseases in China is mainly on mortality, and based on area average concentrations from fixed-site monitors for individual exposures. Substantial uncertainty persists, therefore, about the shape and strength of the relationship when assessed using more personalised individual exposure data. We aimed to examine the relationships between AAP exposure and risk of cardio-respiratory diseases using predicted local levels of AAP.

Methods

A prospective study included 50,407 participants aged 30–79 years from Suzhou, China, with concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), fine (PM2.5), and inhalable (PM10) particulate matter, ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) and incident cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (n = 2,563) and respiratory disease (n = 1,764) recorded during 2013–2015. Cox regression models with time-dependent covariates were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for diseases associated with local-level concentrations of AAP exposure, estimated using Bayesian spatio–temporal modelling.

Results

The study period of 2013–2015 included a total of 135,199 person-years of follow-up for CVD. There was a positive association of AAP, particularly SO2 and O3, with risk of major cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Each 10 µg/m3 increase in SO2 was associated with adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.12) for CVD, 1.25 (1.08, 1.44) for COPD and 1.12 (1.02, 1.23) for pneumonia. Similarly, each 10 µg/m3 increase in O3 was associated with adjusted HR of 1.02 (1.01, 1.03) for CVD, 1.03 (1.02, 1.05) for all stroke, and 1.04 (1.02, 1.06) for pneumonia.

Conclusions

Among adults in urban China, long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with a higher risk of cardio-respiratory disease.
Exploring the psychometric properties of the professional issues in maternal mental health scale (PIMMHS) in a Chinese population
Authors: Lin Lu , Guo Huimin , Fang Qian , Martin Colin R. , Jin Aiying , Xie Congyan , Tian Li , Jomeen Julie
Published: March 2023

Background

The public health and economic implications of perinatal mental health problems are well documented. Maternity clinicians are ideally placed to effectively identify women at risk and facilitate early intervention. However, in China as globally a number of issues are implicated in a failure to recognise and treat.

Aim

The present study sought to develop and evaluate the Chinese version ‘professional issues in maternal mental health’ scale (PIMMHS), explore its psychometric properties and potential application.

Methods

A cross-sectional design and instrument translation and evaluation approach was taken to investigate the psychometric properties of the PIMMHS in a Chinese population. A total of 598 obstetricians, obstetric nurses, and midwives participated in this study from 26 hospitals across China.

Findings

The Chinese PIMMHS was not a good fit to the original two factor model. The emotion/communication subscale yielded an excellent fit to the data according to all fit indices, offering compelling evidence for a single factor solution. The training (PIMMHS: Training), proved problematic throughout the analysis with divergent validity for the training subscale also being poor with a concomitant impact on the total scale performance. The performance of this subscale may be related to the nature of medical training and PMH.

Conclusion

The Chinese PIMMHS comprises a unidimensional scale of emotion/ communication, which is simple and may provide insight into the emotional burden of providing PMH care, with the potential to mitigate that burden. Further development and investigation of the training sub-scale could be of value.
ERK-estrogen receptor α signaling plays a role in the process of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes protecting against ovariectomy-induced bone loss
Authors: Qi Hui , Shen Enpu , Shu Xiong , Liu Danping , Wu Cheng’ai
Published: March 2023

Background

Exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC-Exos) are considered as candidates for osteoporosis (OP) therapy. Estrogen is critical in the maintenance of bone homeostasis. However, the role of estrogen and/or its receptor in BMSC-Exos treatment of OP, as well as its methods of regulation during this process remain unclear.

Methods

BMSCs were cultured and characterized. Ultracentrifugation was performed to collect BMSC-Exos. Transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blotting were used to identify BMSC-Exos. We examined the effects of BMSC-Exos on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, mineralization, and cell cycle distribution of MG-63 cells. The protein expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and the phosphorylation of ERK were investigated through western blotting. We determined the effects of BMSC-Exos on the prevention of bone loss in female rats. The female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups: the sham group, ovariectomized (OVX) group, and the OVX + BMSC-Exos group. Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in the OVX and OVX + BMSC-Exos groups, while a similar volume of adipose tissue around the ovary was removed in the sham group. The rats in OVX group and OVX + BMSC-Exos group were given PBS or BMSC-Exos after 2 weeks of surgery. Micro-CT scanning and histological staining were used to evaluate the in vivo effects of BMSC-Exos.

Results

BMSC-Exos significantly enhanced the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and the Alizarin red S staining in MG-63 cells. The results of cell cycle distribution demonstrated that BMSC-Exos increased the proportion of cells in the G2 + S phase and decreased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase. Moreover, PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK, inhibited both the activation of ERK and the expression of ERα, which were promoted by administration of BMSC-Exos. Micro-CT scan showed that in the OVX + BMSC-Exos group, bone mineral density, bone volume/tissue volume fraction, trabecular number were significantly upregulated. Additionally, the microstructure of the trabecular bone was preserved in the OVX + BMSC-Exos group compared to that in the OVX group.

Conclusion

BMSC-Exos showed an osteogenic-promoting effect both in vitro and in vivo, in which ERK-ERα signaling might play an important role.
Is proximal tibial tubercle osteotomy superior to distal tibial tubercle osteotomy for medial compartmental osteoarthritis? A meta-analysis
Authors: Song Min , Lin Xiaodong , Han Weichang , Li Jingyi , Liu Wengang
Published: March 2023

Background

Open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is commonly performed for the treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and is classified into proximal tibial tubercle osteotomy (PTO) and distal tibial tubercle osteotomy (DTO). The PTO osteotomy point is generally located about 3–4 cm below the joint of the proximal tibia, and the osteotomy line points to the upper part of the proximal tibiofibular joint. The DTO osteotomy point is generally located about 0.5–1.0 cm below the tibial tubercle, and the osteotomy line points to the contralateral cortex. However, there is currently no consensus on which surgical technique is superior. The purpose of our study was to investigate which among the two is superior for medial KOA, with respect to knee joint parameters, clinical function, and complications.

Methods

This study was conducted as per the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The Cochrane Central Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, CNKI, and WanFang databases were systematically searched for trials comparing PTO and DTO in patients with medial compartment KOA, from inception until March 2022. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess methodological quality. Statistical analysis was performed with Stata 12.0. Outcomes of interest included the Insall-Salvati index (ISI), Caton-Deschamps index (CDI), Blackburne-Peel index (BPI), posterior tibial slope (PTS), and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee-rating scale.

Results

A total of 15 retrospective studies (910 knees) were included. There were no significant differences in the age or sex of included patients. There was a significant difference in the ISI, CDI, BPI, and PTS between the two groups (all p ≤ 0.05). Further, DTO was associated with a significantly greater number of postoperative complications (p < 0.05) compared to PTO. However, there was no significant difference in the femorotibial angle (FTA), mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), and HSS knee score (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Compared with DTO, PTO is associated with a greater incidence of postoperative patella baja and increased PTS, whereas DTO is associated with more postoperative complications. Nevertheless, both can significantly correct knee varus deformity and improve knee function; their early knee function scores are also similar.

Trial Registration. Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration number CRD42021284443.
Priming of the murine mammary gland with Staphylococcus chromogenes IM reduces bacterial growth of Streptococcus uberis: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Vander Elst Niels , Bellemans Julie , Steenbrugge Jonas , Geeroms Chloë , Breyne Koen , Piepers Sofie , Toledo-Silva Bruno , de Souza Fernando Nogueira , Haesebrouck Freddy , De Vliegher Sarne , Meyer Evelyne
Published: March 2023

Streptococcus uberis is a major causative agent of bovine mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland with substantial economic consequences. To reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture, alternative strategies to treat or prevent mastitis are being investigated. Bovine-associated non-aureus staphylococci are proposed in that respect due to their capacity to inhibit the in vitro growth of S. uberis. We demonstrate that priming the murine mammary gland with Staphylococcus chromogenes IM reduces S. uberis growth in comparison with non-primed glands. The innate immune system is activated by increasing IL-8 and LCN2, which may explain this decreased growth.
Eating disorder patients with and without PTSD treated in residential care: discharge and 6-month follow-up results
Authors: Brewerton Timothy D. , Gavidia Ismael , Suro Giulia , Perlman Molly M.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

We studied whether provisional posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) moderated discharge (DC) and 6-month follow-up (FU) outcomes of multi-modal, integrated eating disorder (ED) residential treatment (RT) based upon principles of cognitive processing therapy (CPT).

Methods

ED patients [N = 609; 96% female; mean age (± SD) = 26.0 ± 8.8 years; 22% LGBTQ +] with and without PTSD completed validated assessments at admission (ADM), DC and 6-month FU to measure severity of ED, PTSD, major depressive disorder (MDD), state-trait anxiety (STA) symptoms, and eating disorder quality of life (EDQOL). We tested whether PTSD moderated the course of symptom change using mixed models analyses and if ED diagnosis, ADM BMI, age of ED onset and LGBTQ + orientation were significant covariates of change. Number of days between ADM and FU was used as a weighting measure.

Results

Despite sustained improvements with RT in the total group, the PTSD group had significantly higher scores on all measures at all time points (p ≤ .001). Patients with (n = 261) and without PTSD (n = 348) showed similar symptom improvements from ADM to DC and outcomes remained statistically improved at 6-month FU compared to ADM. The only significant worsening observed between DC and FU was with MDD symptoms, yet all measures remained significantly lower than ADM at FU (p ≤ .001). There were no significant PTSD by time interactions for any of the measures. Age of ED onset was a significant covariate in the EDI-2, PHQ-9, STAI-T, and EDQOL models such that an earlier age of ED onset was associated with a worse outcome. ADM BMI was also a significant covariate in the EDE-Q, EDI-2, and EDQOL models, such that higher ADM BMI was associated with a worse ED and quality of life outcome.

Conclusions

Integrated treatment approaches that address PTSD comorbidity can be successfully delivered in RT and are associated with sustained improvements at FU. Improving strategies to prevent post-DC recurrence of MDD symptoms is an important and challenging area of future work.
Condition and characterization analysis of a twentieth century cultural heritage through non-destructive testing (NDT) methods: the case of the Sivas industry school ironworking atelier in Turkey
Authors: Pehlivan Gamze Fahriye
Published: March 2023

Before the conservation and restoration of many types of cultural heritage, it is necessary to perform careful examination. This study aimed to determine the original building state and deterioration by applying non-destructive testing (NDT) methods in the case of a heritage building. Another goal was to determine, via NDT methods, whether the limestones observed in this study of different forms, colours, and textures were truly different. The Sivas Industry School Ironworking Atelier, which constitutes the research object, is one of the important public buildings in the city of Sivas, Turkey. Within the scope of the study, non-destructive infrared thermography (IRT), Schmidt hammer rebound (SHR) tests, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy were applied. Accordingly, through IRT, deteriorations, anomalies, and material differences were investigated, and via SHR testing, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) estimates, strength levels and hardness classes of stones were obtained. Moreover, via XRF spectroscopy, characterization analysis of stones was conducted. The data obtained could provide information to establish a basis for subsequent conservation. The innovation of this study is that although the infrared thermography technique is typically used in the investigation of materials, it was revealed that another technique such as XRF analysis is needed to better determine whether stones that seem different based on IRT are actually different. With IRT technique, anomaly and material detorioration can be determined. In addition to these two techniques, SHR tests that are non-destructive methods are needed to think about mechanical features of the material. Therefore, when determining the conditions and for characterization analysis of a cultural heritage before restoration, different techniques should be jointly used to complement each other.