bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Asthma Therapy: Mechanisms and Strategies for Enhancement
Authors: Huang Si , Li Yiyang , Zeng Jieqing , Chang Ning , Cheng Yisen , Zhen Xiangfan , Zhong Dan , Chen Riling , Ma Guoda , Wang Yajun
Published: June 2023

Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway remodeling. Most asthmatic patients are well-established using standard treatment strategies and advanced biologicals. However, a small group of patients who do not respond to biological treatments or are not effectively controlled by available treatment strategies remain a clinical challenge. Therefore, new therapies are urgently needed for poorly controlled asthma. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic potential in relieving airway inflammation and repairing impaired immune balance in preclinical trials owing to their immunomodulatory abilities. Noteworthy, MSCs exerted a therapeutic effect on steroid-resistant asthma with rare side effects in asthmatic models. Nevertheless, adverse factors such as limited obtained number, nutrient and oxygen deprivation in vitro, and cell senescence or apoptosis affected the survival rate and homing efficiency of MSCs, thus limiting the efficacy of MSCs in asthma. In this review, we elaborate on the roles and underlying mechanisms of MSCs in the treatment of asthma from the perspective of their source, immunogenicity, homing, differentiation, and immunomodulatory capacity and summarize strategies to improve their therapeutic effect.
Identification of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen from its Adulterants Based on RAPD
Authors: Xia Fu-Long , Cao Hong-Wei , Gao Li-Xia , Qing-Kong  , Mei-Li  , Wang Chuan-jie , Yang-Niu
Published: June 2023

Background

Ziziphi spinosae semen (ZSS), dry mature seeds of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H.F. Chow., are widely used in the treatment of insomnia, fright palpitations, and profuse dreaming in medical treatments. The counterfeit species of ZSS, Ziziphi mauritianae semen (ZMS), and Hovenia dulcis Thunb (HDT) are seeds from Ziziphus incurva Roxb. and Hovenia acerba Lindl., respectively. However, the pharmacopeia is not recorded for ZMS and HDT. In this article, we reviewed the identification methods of ZSS, ZMS, and HDT.

Materials and Methods

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to identify the ZSS and its copies. Plant genome DNA was extracted from Z. jujuba Mill., Z. incurva Roxb., and H. acerba Lindl. Random primers were designed to amplify the genome. The amplified products were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Results

By analyzing the polymorphism of the amplified product DNA fragment, the DNA fingerprint maps of Z. jujuba Mill., Z. incurva Roxb., and H. acerba Lindl. were successfully constructed.
Connecting the Dots: Understanding Biopsychosocial Factors Influencing Opioid Use Treatment Outcomes for Rural Adults
Authors: Mitchell Alison Smith
Published: June 2023

Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains an intractable problem, especially in rural areas. Social workers are key players in efforts to address and treat rural opioid use disorder because of the profession’s person-in-environment (PIE) perspective. PIE helps fine-tune strategies addressing persistent issues contributing to rural opioid use. The purposes of this article are: first, to present key findings from a secondary analysis study examining substance use treatment episode data collected by a U.S. state Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services ( N = 2,746) for biopsychosocial PIE factors influencing treatment outcomes for rural adults; and second, to discuss important social work roles. The data suggest that understanding influential biopsychosocial factors, promoting integrated and interprofessional collaboration, and training OUD service providers to use social work’s PIE framework could shape more positive responses to OUD treatment in rural settings.
These Tellings: Explosive Love as Literacy Research
Authors: Watson Vaughn W. M. , Marciano Joanne E.
Published: June 2023

In envisioning literacy at a crossroads, we ask what may be the potential of a different, intense, possible love, a love we may scarcely know and may yet discern—what we think of as a cosmic love, an explosive love. Such stance-taking in literacy research provokes new possibilities for research, teaching, and learning. We share brief narrative vignettes, moments we pointedly name as these tellings, and assert possibilities across two interconnected approaches: these tellings as beginnings, and our lives are entangled in our work. In these approaches, we point to opportunities for (re)conceptualizing prisms through which to engage in the work of literacy research and practice as we recognize, respond to, and build from both joy and heartache urgently present, across times past, current, and to come.
Nurturing the Literacy Lives of Boys of Color During COVID-19
Authors: Segel Marisa
Published: June 2023

When school buildings closed suddenly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, educators relied on families more than ever to mediate their children's learning. This yearlong case study details the narratives of 14 Black and Latinx families as they negotiated literacy practices with their teenage sons during remote schooling. This study finds that families bolstered their sons’ literacies through dimensions of family literacy care, a notion developed by the author to describe the material, emotional, embodied, and digital mentoring exchanged between caregivers and boys around literacy practices at home. Entangled in these narratives are the complex ways that families enacted their roles as caregivers and teachers during the pandemic, and in turn, how boys acquiesced to and resisted their parents’ attempts at family literacy care. These findings texture and advance the field of family literacy scholarship to understand better the varied ways boys orient toward (and away from) texts in their family context.
The development and validation of a scale for measuring EFL secondary teachers’ self-efficacy for English writing and writing instruction
Authors: Yu Shulin , Yuan Kaihao , Zhou Nan , Wang Chuang
Published: June 2023

Although the field of second language (L2) writing has evolved into an independent field of inquiry with the exponential growth in research across contexts in the past decades, relatively less attention has been paid to teachers who write and teach writing in school instructional contexts. In particular, scant research on L2 writing teachers has investigated secondary English teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs for writing and writing instruction. The present study aimed to develop and validate the Secondary English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Teachers’ Self-Efficacy for Writing and Writing Instruction Scale (SEFL-TSEWWIS). A sample of 984 Chinese secondary EFL teachers participated in the study. The final version of the SEFL-TSEWWIS scale was comprised of 26 items measuring three dimensions: self-efficacy for teaching and assessing writing elements; self-efficacy for writing instruction; and self-efficacy for writing. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the SEFL-TSEWWIS scale had good psychometric properties. This study highlighted that EFL teachers’ beliefs about writing assessment and feedback are crucial parts of their conception of self-efficacy beliefs towards teaching L2 writing. Theoretical and pedagogical implications of the findings are provided for English writing teachers and writing teacher educators in EFL contexts.
The relationship between children’s food allergies and family mealtimes: A systematic review
Authors: Sampige Ritu , Frankel Leslie Ann
Published: June 2023

Food allergy prevalence is increasing among children; however, it is not clear how children’s food allergy status impacts family mealtimes. This study’s purpose was to systematically synthesize research regarding the relationship between children’s food allergies, parental meal-centered stress, and family mealtime dynamics. Data sources for this study include peer-reviewed, English language sources from CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Five keyword categories (child, food allergies, meal preparation, stress, and family) were utilized to identify sources regarding how food allergies of children (from birth–12 years) relate to family mealtime dynamics or parental meal-centered stress. All 13 identified studies determined that pediatric food allergies relate to either increased parental stress, meal preparation issues, mealtime problems, or changes to family meals. Studies also indicate that meal preparation takes longer, requires more vigilance, and is more stressful due to children’s food allergies. Limitations include that most studies were cross-sectional and based on maternal self-report. Children’s food allergies are associated with parental meal-centered stress and mealtime issues. However, there is a need for research to account for specific changes to family mealtime dynamics and parent feeding behaviors so that pediatric health care professionals can alleviate parental meal-centered stress and provide guidance towards optimal feeding behaviors.
Psychological and educational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on online students and faculty of a Ghanaian university
Authors: Asamoah Moses Kumi , Osafo Joseph , Biney Isaac , Agyekum Boadi
Published: June 2023

This is a qualitative study that employed exploratory design to inquire from 15 participants of Central University (Ghana) about their experience with the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. An in-depth interview was conducted, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that participants experienced fear expressed in four key domains reported under four key themes thus: Experiencing psychological distress; Burden of economic hardships; Fear of inefficient health system; and Educational disruptions and worries involved in online teaching and learning. The study concludes that the upsurge of COVID-19 has triggered psychological, economic, and educational conundrums that have to be addressed. This paper contributes to the growing body of studies on COVID-19 and effects on lecturers and students. The burgeoning evidence of the mental health distress following COVID-19 should be a wake-up call for universities and Ghana as a whole to invest both in infrastructure and manpower in this area of health care delivery. Vaccine hesitancy research must be conducted to improve upon health educational campaigns. The significant disruption from the pandemic is a fair warning to all stakeholders to make educational e-learning infrastructure resilient against similar future shocks. The implications of the findings for health and educational policies in Ghana are addressed.
Health care registers can be instrumental for endpoint capture in clinical diabetes trials: example of microvascular complications in Swedish patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lundqvist Martin H , Patsoukaki Vagia , Jansson Stefan , Norman Henrietta , Granstam Elisabet , Svensson Maria K , Sundström Johan , Eliasson Björn , Eriksson Jan W
Published: June 2023

Aims

SMARTEST is a register-based randomized clinical trial (RRCT) that compares dapagliflozin to metformin in early-stage type 2 diabetes. The primary outcome includes progression of microvascular complications based on data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR). In this sub-study, the aim was to validate microvascular complication variables in the NDR against electronic health records (EHRs).

Methods

Data were extracted from EHRs of 276 SMARTEST participants with a median observation period of 3 years in the Uppsala, Örebro and Sörmland counties and compared with NDR data. Agreement was determined for all corresponding data entries as well as for progression of microvascular complications after randomization.

Results

The agreement for all corresponding data entries was 98.9% (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient 0.999) for creatinine and eGFR, 95.1% for albuminuria, 91.6% for foot-at-risk and 98.2% for retinopathy status (Kappa 0.67-0.91). The agreement for progression of microvascular complications was 98.0% for CKD stage, 98.9% for albuminuria grade, 96.3% for foot-at-risk grade and 99.6% for retinopathy grade progression (Gwet’s AC1 0.96-1.00).

Conclusion

Microvascular complication variables in the NDR show good agreement with EHR data. The use of a well-established national health care registry, exemplified by the NDR, for endpoint collection in RRCTs such as SMARTEST is supported by this study.
Establishing Trustworthiness in Health Care Process Modelling: A Practical Guide to Quality Enhancement in Studies Using the Functional Resonance Analysis Method
Authors: McGill Alexis , McCloskey Rose , Smith Doug , Veitch Brian
Published: June 2023

The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) is a novel healthcare research methodology that has increasingly been applied in the healthcare domain. The method has an ability to map and model everyday healthcare activities and their interdependencies, as well as, demonstrate how variability can emerge and impact system outcomes. To build a FRAM model, researchers gather data from key stakeholders, such as health care workers and patients and their families using qualitative data collection methods. An important consideration for researchers using the FRAM is how they will establish trustworthiness in their study findings given the data used to build and analyze a FRAM model can be subjective. In the spirit of advancing the quality of qualitative research, the aim of this paper is to provide practical guidance to researchers on how to employ quality enhancement criteria and strategies in their qualitative research efforts so that the resulting FRAM models and insights afforded by them are trustworthy.
The ethics of disclosing the use of artificial intelligence tools in writing scholarly manuscripts
Authors: Hosseini Mohammad , Resnik David B , Holmes Kristi
Published: June 2023

In this article, we discuss ethical issues related to using and disclosing artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and other systems based on large language models (LLMs), to write or edit scholarly manuscripts. Some journals, such as Science, have banned the use of LLMs because of the ethical problems they raise concerning responsible authorship. We argue that this is not a reasonable response to the moral conundrums created by the use of LLMs because bans are unenforceable and would encourage undisclosed use of LLMs. Furthermore, LLMs can be useful in writing, reviewing and editing text, and promote equity in science. Others have argued that LLMs should be mentioned in the acknowledgments since they do not meet all the authorship criteria. We argue that naming LLMs as authors or mentioning them in the acknowledgments are both inappropriate forms of recognition because LLMs do not have free will and therefore cannot be held morally or legally responsible for what they do. Tools in general, and software in particular, are usually cited in-text, followed by being mentioned in the references. We provide suggestions to improve APA Style for referencing ChatGPT to specifically indicate the contributor who used LLMs (because interactions are stored on personal user accounts), the used version and model (because the same version could use different language models and generate dissimilar responses, e.g., ChatGPT May 12 Version GPT3.5 or GPT4), and the time of usage (because LLMs evolve fast and generate dissimilar responses over time). We recommend that researchers who use LLMs: (1) disclose their use in the introduction or methods section to transparently describe details such as used prompts and note which parts of the text are affected, (2) use in-text citations and references (to recognize their used applications and improve findability and indexing), and (3) record and submit their relevant interactions with LLMs as supplementary material or appendices.
Microscopic colitis is a risk factor for low bone density: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rancz Anett , Teutsch Brigitta , Engh Marie Anne , Veres Dániel Sándor , Földvári-Nagy László , Erőss Bálint , Hosszúfalusi Nóra , Juhász Márk Félix , Hegyi Péter , Mihály Emese
Published: June 2023

Background:

Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large bowel characterized by watery diarrhea, substantially decreasing the patient’s quality of life. Scarce data suggest that MC is associated with low bone density (LBD).

Objectives:

We aimed to assess whether MC is a risk factor for LBD and the proportion of patients with MC having LBD.

Design:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting bone density measurements in MC patients.

Data Sources and Methods:

We systematically searched five databases from inception to October 16, 2021 (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science). We used the random-effect model to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and pooled event rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To ascertain the quality of evidence of our outcomes, we followed the recommendations of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group.

Results:

The systematic search yielded a total of 3046 articles. Four articles were eligible for quantitative synthesis. All of them used age- and sex-matched controls to evaluate LBD occurrence among patients with MC. The odds of having LBD were twofold increased (OR = 2.13, CI: 1.42–3.20) in the presence of MC, the odds of osteopenia occurrence were 2.4 (OR = 2.45, CI: 1.11–5.41), and of osteoporosis 1.4 (OR = 1.42, CI: 0.65–3.12). The proportion of LBD was 0.68 (CI: 0.56–0.78), osteopenia was 0.51 (CI: 0.43–0.58), and osteoporosis was 0.11 (CI: 0.07–0.16) among the MC population. Our findings’ certainty of the evidence was very low following the GRADEPro guideline.

Conclusion:

Our data demonstrate that MC is associated with a twofold risk for LBD. Based on our findings, we suggest screening patients for bone mineral density upon diagnosis of MC. Further prospective studies with higher patient numbers and longer follow-up periods on this topic are needed.

Registration:

Our protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021283392).
Kindergarten Teachers’ Experiences in a Spatial Orientation Skills Professional Development Program
Authors: Koç Yusuf , Koç Kevser
Published: June 2023

Although earlier studies have documented the importance of spatial orientation skills in early childhood development, teachers often need more experience and guidance in teaching these skills. This research investigates how two kindergarten teachers, guided by two teacher education researchers, utilized Learning Trajectories (LT) in a Professional Development (PD) program to enhance their instructional practices in teaching spatial orientation skills. Employing a qualitative research approach, researchers collected data through semi-structured interviews, field notes, and documents prepared by the teachers and analyzed it using content analysis. Findings reveal that the program provided teachers with a framework for making instructional decisions and facilitated children’s engagement in spatial orientation tasks. However, there is a need for further in-service programs on child assessment using LT and instructional activities to improve target skills. This study highlights the potential of LT-based PD programs in fostering effective teaching of spatial orientation skills while identifying areas for further improvement in teacher education.
University Preparation Programs in Australia: International Student Perspectives
Authors: Sun Shuting (Alice) , Davison Chris
Published: June 2023

Existing studies have revealed that prior educational experience plays an important role in student learning, and many international students are encountering challenges while undertaking academic studies at Anglophone universities. However, few studies have examined how the pre-university preparation international students experience assists them in transitioning to university. This study explores, through the perceptions of students, the effectiveness of different university preparation pathways of a cohort of international students in a leading Australian university. Using a mixed-method research design, a questionnaire and focus group interviews were conducted to collect data about overseas student perceptions of the pathway program they undertook. The results show that international students who undertook different pathway programs had different perspectives about the extent to which they felt prepared for university in terms of important aspects of their education, such as subject content knowledge and English language proficiency. Based on the students’ perceptions, the findings of this exploratory study contribute new insights to help improve education practices at universities through a deeper understanding of the diverse preparation international students receive. Overall, the article highlights the heterogeneous nature of international students’ academic preparedness for university transition, and offers some practical implications for university educators, administrators, and curriculum designers.
Higher Education and Local Innovation Systems: Lessons From Public Attitudes in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Yuyang Kang
Published: June 2023

This article examines public attitudes on the local innovation system of Shenzhen with a focus on the role of the local government and higher education (HE). Based on data collected from an online platform, Zhihu, this article examines netizens’ perceptions of local government, institutional environment, HE and labour force development. Text analysis reveals that netizens hold relatively positive attitudes towards the local government and the future development of Shenzhen due to its fair institutional environment. Local HEIs needs to be further developed to support Shenzhen’s economic transformation but the close linkage with Hong Kong universities help to mitigate the challenges in human capital supply. This paper presents a novel way of examining public perceptions on local innovation systems and the case of Shenzhen also provides policy lessons to other cities aiming at developing innovation centres.
Do Teachers Feel Valued in Society? Occupational Value of the Teaching Profession in OECD Countries
Authors: Akiba Motoko , Byun Soo-yong , Jiang Xiaonan , Kim Kyeongwon , Moran Alex J.
Published: June 2023

Teacher accountability reforms implemented around the globe have heightened a sense that teachers are losing the support of policymakers and the general public. To examine the global pattern in teachers’ perception of occupational value and identify possible outcomes and predictors, we analyzed the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) data. We found an overwhelming majority of teachers feel undervalued in almost all OECD countries. In addition, teachers who feel undervalued reported less collective teacher effort for school improvement and job dissatisfaction consistently in four countries of comparison with different policy contexts—the United States, Australia, Finland, and Korea. However, the relationships between three working conditions impacted by accountability reforms—compensation, classroom autonomy, and involvement in school decision-making—and perceived occupational value varied across these four countries. Specifically, these working conditions seem to matter more in the United States, where the teacher policy context produces greater disparities across schools in teacher qualifications, distribution of qualified teachers, and degree of professional control.
An Atypical Presentation of Kawasaki Disease and Potential Markers for Diagnosis
Authors: Liu Tzu Ning , Kuplicki Abigail C. , Ang Jocelyn Y.
Published: June 2023

Cervical lymphadenopathy is seldom the initial symptom of Kawasaki disease (KD), making diagnosis difficult in early node-first Kawasaki disease (NFKD). Early treatment is important to prevent cardiovascular sequelae. This report discusses a case of a 4-year-old African American female with NFKD and retropharyngeal phlegmon who was initially treated with antibiotics for cervical lymphadenitis. She later developed classic symptoms of KD, including mucositis, conjunctivitis, palmar erythema, and truncal rash. KD was then suspected and treated appropriately, with the patient experiencing rapid clinical improvement. Early misdiagnosis of NFKD is not uncommon, but certain indices, such as patient age, elevated absolute neutrophil count, or elevated liver enzymes, may be helpful in increasing clinical suspicion. NFKD and retropharyngeal phlegmon remain a rare presentation of an already known condition. The case presented here emphasizes the need for KD to be a differential diagnosis in cases of cervical lymphadenitis and retropharyngeal abscess refractory to antibiotic treatment.
Trends in Neighborhood Social Cohesion among Families with Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Davis Makayla , Campbell Colin , Tumin Dmitry
Published: June 2023

The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had far-reaching economic and social consequences, affecting economic well-being, health, mobility, relationships, and daily routines. What effect did the COVID-19 pandemic have on neighborhood social cohesion? Drawing on data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, the authors examine trends in neighborhood social cohesion as reported by caregivers of U.S. children from 2016 to 2021. Despite the substantial changes spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors find that the pandemic did not lead to a significant change in perceived neighborhood social cohesion. These findings reveal the durability of perceived neighborhood social cohesion, showing that it appears to be unaffected even by sizable changes in social and economic contexts. Moreover, the findings provide additional evidence of disparities in perceived neighborhood social cohesion across social groups and contribute to ongoing debates related to potential declines in neighborhood relationships.
Using Policy Briefs to Communicate Dental Research Findings to Policymakers
Authors: Lee J.N. , Hill C.M. , Chi D.L.
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

New scientific knowledge is not always available to decision makers. Policy briefs are a way that dental researchers can communicate research findings to policymakers. This study compares usefulness of 2 types of policy briefs about sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and tooth decay.

Methods:

We developed 2 policy brief types (data focused and narrative focused) and emailed a randomly assigned policy brief to 825 policymakers and staff from 3 levels of government (city, county, and state) in Washington State. Participants completed a 22-item online questionnaire. There were 4 study outcomes: whether the brief was understandable, whether the brief was credible, likelihood of use, and likelihood to be shared (each measured on a 5-point Likert-like scale). The t test was used to evaluate whether outcomes differed by policy brief type and government level (α = 0.05).

Results:

There were 108 respondents (adjusted response rate 14.6%). About 41.6% of participants were in city government, 26.9% were in county government, and 29.6% were in state government. Participants reported that both data- and narrative-focused briefs were understandable (mean rating [MR] and standard deviation [SD]: 4.15 ± 0.68 and 4.09 ± 0.81, respectively; P = 0.65) and credible (MR and SD: 4.13 ± 0.70 and 4.09 ± 0.70, respectively; P = 0.74), but they were not likely to use (MR and SD: 2.71 ± 1.15 and 2.55 ± 1.28, respectively; P = 0.51) or share it (MR and SD: 2.62 ± 1.04 and 2.66 ± 1.30, respectively; P = 0.87). The likelihood of sharing briefs differed significantly by level of government ( P = 0.017). Participants at the state level were more likely to share information from the briefs (mean rating and SD: 3.10 ± 0.80) than city- and county-level participants (MR and SD: 2.62 ± 1.27, and 2.24 ± 1.21, respectively).

Conclusion:

Both data- and narrative-focused policy briefs may be a useful way to communicate dental research findings to policymakers, but additional steps are needed to ensure that briefs are used and shared.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Researchers should disseminate their research findings to maximize scientific impact. Our study findings indicate that policy briefs may be a useful way to communicate dental research findings to policymakers, but additional research is needed on the best ways to disseminate findings.
Housing’s values: Housing as an ethical urbanism
Authors: Rogers Dallas , McAuliffe Cameron
Published: June 2023

Housing’s values are a key topic of public and policy debate, with discussions including the social value of housing in the form of human rights or care, rising property values, value-capture in infrastructure development, Indigenous values of land, and the value of housing for social reproduction. With this in mind, we engage with the various ways housing is valued, not as a reductive exercise to find ‘the value’ of housing but to recognise and engage with the ways various valuations of housing inform a situated and relational politics of value. The analysis is concerned with how people make valuations about housing as well as how these different housing valuations intersect to constitute a politics of housing values. It is a common reduction to associate housing with its economic value and home with social values. Attempts to reconcile these values typically involve proxy valuations to commensurate the social to the economic. However, value pluralists resist such easy reduction of social values to the market, holding that plural values are incommensurable. Our more-than-political economy approach draws on anthropology and moral philosophical theories of value to conceptualise an agonistic politics of housing value. To illustrate this conceptual case, we discuss three regimes of value in Australia, that is, capitalist regimes of real estate value as the dominant value regime, Indigenous cultural values tied to land and housing and care ethics and human rights as housing discourse. These cases highlight the processes of value realisation, not just within these regimes of value, but within and between them, to animate an agonistic tournament of housing’s value. We are interested in the politics within and between these different claims about value and argue the utility of value theory is to show how value is produced through the politics of competing value claims, rather than to try to show what the value of housing as-an-object is.
Are New York City Sonographers a Diverse Group? Exploring Diversity and Perceptions Related to Culture Among the City’s Sonography Clinicians and Educators
Authors: Struk Iryna , Donawa Destinii , Irving Shaian
Published: June 2023

Objective:

The objective of the study is to explore diversity and perceptions related to culture among New York City sonography clinicians and educators and determine whether this specific workforce is keeping pace with the changing demographics of the city population.

Materials and Methods:

An 18-question survey, which addressed demographics, work environment, and perceptions about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, was disseminated to sonography educators and hospitals in the five boroughs of New York City.

Results:

A total of 112 sonographers responded and 50% were White/Caucasian, 34.16% represented Asian/Pacific Islander (17.5%), Black/African American (10.83%), Hispanic/Latino (5%), and Native American/Alaskan Native (0.83%) populations, as well as 15.83% preferred not to respond. Most sonographers identified their gender as female. The 21 to 30 years age group was the least represented, and the age group 31 to 51+ years represented over three-quarters of the workforce. Most respondents worked with culturally diverse staff and were satisfied with their work environment. However, the Black/African American group showed the lowest average satisfaction score, and their responses were the least positive.

Conclusion:

In this cohort of respondents, Black/African, Hispanic, and Native American ethnicities were underrepresented compared with the city’s reported diverse population. Consequently, new programs and initiatives should be considered to increase ethnic and racial inclusivity, to respond to the needs of citizens of New York City.
ERS International Congress 2022: highlights from the Thoracic Oncology Assembly
Authors: Catarata Maria Joana , Van Geffen Wouter H. , Banka Radhika , Ferraz Beatriz , Sidhu Calvin , Carew Alan , Viola Lucia , Gijtenbeek Rolof , Hardavella Georgia
Published: June 2023

Thoracic malignancies are associated with a substantial public health burden. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with significant impact on patients’ quality of life. Following 2 years of virtual European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congresses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 hybrid ERS Congress in Barcelona, Spain allowed peers from all over the world to meet again and present their work. Thoracic oncology experts presented best practices and latest developments in lung cancer screening, lung cancer diagnosis and management. Early lung cancer diagnosis, subsequent pros and cons of aggressive management, identification and management of systemic treatments’ side-effects, and the application of artificial intelligence and biomarkers across all aspects of the thoracic oncology pathway were among the areas that triggered specific interest and will be summarised here.
COV-MobNets: a mobile networks ensemble model for diagnosis of COVID-19 based on chest X-ray images
Authors: Eshraghi Mohammad Amir , Ayatollahi Ahmad , Shokouhi Shahriar Baradaran
Published: June 2023

Background

The medical profession is facing an excessive workload, which has led to the development of various Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems as well as Mobile-Aid Diagnosis (MAD) systems. These technologies enhance the speed and accuracy of diagnoses, particularly in areas with limited resources or remote regions during the pandemic. The primary purpose of this research is to predict and diagnose COVID-19 infection from chest X-ray images by developing a mobile-friendly deep learning framework, which has the potential for deployment in portable devices such as mobile or tablet, especially in situations where the workload of radiology specialists may be high. Moreover, this could improve the accuracy and transparency of population screening to assist radiologists during the pandemic.

Methods

In this study, the Mobile Networks ensemble model called COV-MobNets is proposed to classify positive COVID-19 X-ray images from negative ones and can have an assistant role in diagnosing COVID-19. The proposed model is an ensemble model, combining two lightweight and mobile-friendly models: MobileViT based on transformer structure and MobileNetV3 based on Convolutional Neural Network. Hence, COV-MobNets can extract the features of chest X-ray images in two different methods to achieve better and more accurate results. In addition, data augmentation techniques were applied to the dataset to avoid overfitting during the training process. The COVIDx-CXR-3 benchmark dataset was used for training and evaluation.

Results

The classification accuracy of the improved MobileViT and MobileNetV3 models on the test set has reached 92.5% and 97%, respectively, while the accuracy of the proposed model (COV-MobNets) has reached 97.75%. The sensitivity and specificity of the proposed model have also reached 98.5% and 97%, respectively. Experimental comparison proves the result is more accurate and balanced than other methods.

Conclusion

The proposed method can distinguish between positive and negative COVID-19 cases more accurately and quickly. The proposed method proves that utilizing two automatic feature extractors with different structures as an overall framework of COVID-19 diagnosis can lead to improved performance, enhanced accuracy, and better generalization to new or unseen data. As a result, the proposed framework in this study can be used as an effective method for computer-aided diagnosis and mobile-aided diagnosis of COVID-19. The code is available publicly for open access at https://github.com/MAmirEshraghi/COV-MobNets.
Risk of de novo proteinuria following hospitalization with acute kidney injury
Authors: Bonde Saniya S. , Zaman Warda , Cuomo Raphael , Malhotra Rakesh , Macedo Etienne
Published: June 2023

Background

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) incidence has continued to rise and is recognized as a major risk factor for kidney disease progression and cardiovascular complications. Early recognition of factors associated with post-AKI complications is fundamental to stratifying patients that could benefit from closer follow-up and management after an episode of AKI. Recent studies have shown that proteinuria is a prevalent sequela after AKI and a strong predictor of complications post-AKI. This study aims to evaluate the frequency and timing of the development of de-novo proteinuria after an AKI episode in patients with known kidney function and no prior history of proteinuria.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from adult AKI patients with pre- and post-kidney function information between Jan 2014 and March 2019. The presence of proteinuria determined before and after index AKI encounter was based on ICD-10 code and/or urine dipstick and UPCR during the follow-up period.

Results

Of 9697 admissions with AKI diagnoses between Jan 2014 and March 2019, 2120 eligible patients with at least one assessment of Scr and proteinuria before AKI index admission were included in the analysis. The median age was 64 (IQR 54–75) years, and 57% were male. 58% (n-1712) patients had stage 1 AKI, 19% (n = 567) stage 2 AKI, and 22% (n = 650) developed stage 3 AKI. De novo proteinúria was found in 62% (n = 472) of patients and was already present by 90 days post-AKI in 59% (209/354). After adjusting for age and comorbidities, severe AKI (stage 2/3 AKI) and diabetes, were independently associated with increased risk for De novo proteinuria.

Conclusion

Severe AKI is an independent risk factor for subsequent de novo proteinuria post-hospitalization. Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether strategies to detect AKI patients at risk of proteinuria and early therapeutics to modify proteinuria can delay the progression of kidney disease.
Childhood trauma, peer victimization, and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: a latent variable mediation analysis
Authors: Zhao Ke , Tong Siyu , Hong Lan , Yang Shang , Yang Wenyun , Xu Yao , Fan Zilin , Zheng Jiaqi , Yao Keqing , Zheng Tiansheng
Published: June 2023

Background

Childhood and peer experiences can influence adolescents’ perceptions of interpersonal relationships, which can, in turn, influence their emotional states and behavior patterns. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is now a common problem behavior among adolescents. The present study examined the role of childhood trauma and peer victimization in adolescents’ NSSI.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1783 adolescents (1464 girls and 318 boys) in the psychiatric outpatient clinics or wards of 14 psychiatric hospitals or general hospitals in nine provinces in China. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS), Short-form Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ-SF), and Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM). Structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent variables was used to demonstrate the mediating role of peer victimization in the association between childhoodtrauma and NSSI.

Results

The SEM analysis demonstrated that peer victimization plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI. In addition, several covariates (such as age, gender, education level, and place of residence) effectively regulated the relationship between peer victimization and NSSI.

Conclusion

In future studies of NSSI among Chinese adolescents, attention should be paid to the roles of childhood trauma and peer bullying; there is a temporal sequence between these two variables and, to some extent, childhood trauma can have an impact on bullying during adolescence which, in turn, influences NSSI behavior.
Spatio-temporal pattern, matching level and prediction of ageing and medical resources in China
Authors: Wang Zhenyan , Ye Wei , Chen Xicheng , Li Yang , Zhang Ling , Li Fang , Yao Ning , Gao Chengcheng , Wang Pengyu , Yi Dong , Wu Yazhou
Published: June 2023

Objective

Population ageing, as a hot issue in global development, increases the burden of medical resources in society. This study aims to assess the current spatiotemporal evolution and interaction between population ageing and medical resources in mainland China; evaluate the matching level of medical resources to population ageing; and forecast future trends of ageing, medical resources, and the indicator of ageing-resources (IAR).

Methods

Data on ageing (EPR) and medical resources (NHI, NBHI, and NHTP) were obtained from China Health Statistics Yearbook and China Statistical Yearbook (2011–2020). We employed spatial autocorrelation to examine the spatial–temporal distribution trends and analyzed the spatio-temporal interaction using a Bayesian spatio-temporal effect model. The IAR, an improved evaluation indicator, was used to measure the matching level of medical resources to population ageing with kernel density analysis for visualization. Finally, an ETS-DNN model was used to forecast the trends in population ageing, medical resources, and their matching level over the next decade.

Results

The study found that China's ageing population and medical resources are growing annually, yet distribution is uneven across districts. There is a spatio-temporal interaction effect between ageing and medical resources, with higher levels of both in Eastern China and lower levels in Western China. The IAR is relatively high in Northwest, North China, and the Yangtze River Delta, but showed a declining trend in North China and the Yangtze River Delta. The hybrid model (ETS-DNN) gained an R2of 0.9719, and the predicted median IAR for 2030 (0.99) across 31 regions was higher than the median IAR for 2020 (0.93).

Conclusion

This study analyzes the relationship between population ageing and medical resources, revealing a spatio-temporal interaction between them. The IAR evaluation indicator highlights the need to address ageing population challenges and cultivate a competent health workforce. The ETS-DNN forecasts indicate higher concentrations of both medical resources and ageing populations in eastern China, emphasizing the need for region-specific ageing security systems and health service industries. The findings provide valuable policy insights for addressing a hyper-aged society in the future.
Association between maternal decision-making and mental health and the nutritional status of children under 6 years of age in sub-urban Nigeria
Authors: Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Oginni Ayodeji Babatunde , El Tantawi Maha , Adeniyi Abiola , Alade Michael , Finlayson Tracy L
Published: June 2023

Background

We assessed the association between decision-making power and mental health status of mothers and the nutritional status of their children less than 6 years old in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Methods

This was a secondary data analysis of 1549 mother-child dyads collected through a household survey conducted between December 2019 and January 2020. The independent variables were maternal decision-making and mental health status (general anxiety, depressive symptoms, parental stress). The dependent variable was the child’s nutritional status (thinness, stunting, underweight and overweight). Confounders were maternal income, age, and education status, and the child’s age and sex. The associations between the dependent and independent variables were determined using multivariable binary logistic regression analysis after adjusting for confounders. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were determined.

Results

Children of mothers with mild general anxiety had lower odds of stunting than children of mothers with normal anxiety (AOR: 0.72; p = 0.034). Mothers who did not make decisions on children’s access to health care (AOR: 0.65; p < 0.001) had children with lower odds of being thin than those whose mothers made decisions on their access to health care. Children of mothers with clinically significant parenting stress levels (AOR: 0.75; p = 0.033), severe depressive symptoms (AOR: 0.70; p = 0.041) and who were not decision makers on the access of their children to health care (AOR: 0.79; p = 0.035) had lower odds of underweight.

Conclusions

Maternal decision-making status and mental health status were associated with the nutritional status of children less than 6 years in a sub-urban community in Nigeria. Further studies are needed to understand how maternal mental health is associated with the nutritional status of Nigerian preschool children.
Palliative care in rural areas – collaboration between district nurses and doctors: an interview study
Authors: Näppä Ulla , Nässén Elin , Winqvist Idun
Published: June 2023

Background

Palliative care requires major nursing interventions as well as medical interventions; thus, both district nurses and doctors are vital to the palliative team. Sparsely populated rural areas are characterised by large geographic distances with the nurses and doctors located far away from each other. If collaboration does not work, this can create challenges for district nurses when managing patients’ symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe district nurses’ experiences of collaborating with doctors-in-charge during palliative home care in sparsely populated rural areas.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 district nurses. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

The experiences of the district nurses are described under the overarching theme of Experiences of acting as the patient’s advocate, which is divided into two categories: Feeling secure in oneself and the other person and Feeling alone when collaboration breaks down.

Conclusion

Consensus and coherence, or lack thereof, between district nurses and doctors affect how collaboration is experienced. Positive experiences are generated when the district nurse and the doctor share a holistic approach, while collaboration is experienced as dysfunctional when the doctor’s decisions are not consistent with what the nurse judges to be beneficial to the patient. An understanding of how collaboration across long distances is experienced in rural areas is necessary to enhance collaboration.