bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of adrenalectomy performed in regional New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Cui Rebecca Bei Jia , Loganathan Kishore , Indrajit Balasubramanian
Published: December 2022

Background

Centralization of subspeciality procedures in Australia is difficult due to a vast geographical span and in the appropriate patient group, surgery in regional centres should be considered. Our study reviews the safety of adrenalectomy performed at a low‐volume regional centre in regards to length of hospital admission, operative time, complication rate and conversion to open rate.

Method

A retrospective cross‐sectional study was performed of consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic or open adrenalectomy over a nine‐year period (2012–2021) at Dubbo Base Hospital, a regional hospital in Western New South Wales, Australia. These operations were all performed by a single Urologist.

Results

Thirteen patients underwent adrenalectomy at our institution over the nine‐year period. The mean age was 51.7 years (SD10.1). There were seven women (53.8%) and six men (46.2%). Seven patients were considered low risk, four patients were medium risk and two patients were high risk as per the Charlson Comorbidity Index. All of our patients were overweight, with mean body mass index of 34.6 (SD 6.9). Mean operating time was 133.5 min (SD 36.3) and mean length of stay was 3.8 days (SD 2.2).

There was one conversion to open (8.3%). Three patients (23.1%) had complications, of these complications, one was Clavien‐Dindo grade II, and one was Clavien‐Dindo grade IIIb. There were no mortalities.

Conclusion

Our outcomes demonstrate that adrenalectomy in our low volume regional centre is safe with comparable outcomes of operative time, length of hospital stay and complication rate with other centres.
Emergency groin hernia: outcome after mesh and non‐mesh repair
Authors: Kumar Dileep , Wu Diana , Tan Brandon , Guilbert Michael , Muthukumarsamy Girivasan
Published: December 2022

Background

Emergency inguinal and femoral hernia repair can be done by suture or mesh repair, there is still scepticism around using mesh. We aim to evaluate the usage of mesh and the outcome of emergency groin hernia repair after mesh and suture repair.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent emergency inguinal and femoral hernia repair from 1st January 2018 to 31st July 2020. Electronic data and case notes were reviewed and outcome data were collected.

Results

Eighty‐nine emergency groin hernia repairs were carried out. Sixty‐two were males, 60 inguinal hernia and 29 femoral hernia. Median age was 72 years (range 20–95). 74 (83.1%) were primary hernia and 15 (16.9%) recurrent hernias. 67 (75.3%) mesh and 22 (24.7%) suture repairs were carried out. Eleven cases required bowel resection and of those 10 had suture repair. Inguinal hernia was more likely to have mesh repair as compared to femoral (P‐value 0.002). Median length of stay was significantly lower in mesh group 2 days (1–5 IQR) versus 7.5 days (5–11 IQR) in suture repair group (P‐value <0.0001). Five cases (6.74%) had wound complications (3 wound infections, 2 haematoma). With median 20 months (range 6–36 months) follow‐up, 1 recurrence each in both mesh and suture repair groups, no mesh infection and 2 (2.2%) 30‐day mortality recorded. Wound infection, recurrence and reoperation were not statistically different in two groups.

Conclusion

Emergency groin hernia are amenable to mesh repair and in case of bowel resection or gross contamination non‐ mesh repair is recommended.
Computerized cardiotocography analysis during labor – A state‐of‐the‐art review
Authors: Ben M'Barek Imane , Jauvion Grégoire , Ceccaldi Pierre‐François
Published: December 2022

Cardiotocography is defined as the recording of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions and is widely used during labor as a screening tool to determine fetal wellbeing. The visual interpretation of the cardiotocography signals by the practitioners, following common guidelines, is subject to a high interobserver variability, and the efficiency of cardiotocography monitoring is still debated. Since the 1990s, researchers and practitioners work on designing reliable computer‐aided systems to assist practitioners in cardiotocography interpretation during labor. Several systems are integrated in the monitoring devices, mostly based on the guidelines, but they have not clearly demonstrated yet their usefulness. In the last decade, the availability of large clinical databases as well as the emergence of machine learning and deep learning methods in healthcare has led to a surge of studies applying those methods to cardiotocography signals analysis. The state‐of‐the‐art systems perform well to detect fetal hypoxia when evaluated on retrospective cohorts, but several challenges remain to be tackled before they can be used in clinical practice. First, the development and sharing of large, open and anonymized multicentric databases of perinatal and cardiotocography data during labor is required to build more accurate systems. Also, the systems must produce interpretable indicators along with the prediction of the risk of fetal hypoxia in order to be appropriated and trusted by practitioners. Finally, common standards should be built and agreed on to evaluate and compare those systems on retrospective cohorts and to validate their use in clinical practice.
Revealing the practical strategies for promoting Chinese migrant workers' health and well‐being: Organizational empowerment perspective
Authors: Zhou Xiaofeng , Sun Ninghao , Zhao Xu , Wang Leyao , Tong Ruipeng
Published: December 2022

The health and well‐being of migrant workers struggling to make ends meet are being compromised, especially with the uncertainty of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The aim is to analyze how organizational empowerment promotes health and well‐being from an applied psychological perspective, taking into account the shaping role of individual vulnerability. Links between theory and practice will be established to achieve equitable health and well‐being. The underlying mechanism by which organizational empowerment mitigated workplace‐induced adverse outcomes was validated in the analysis of construction workers (n = 966). In addition, individual characteristics, namely, excitability, low perceptual threshold, control, and knowledge, attitude, and practice, were identified as critical factors, as well‐being consequences vary from person to person. Moderating effect analysis showed that high excitability enhanced the association between work environment exposure and health and well‐being. Control and knowledge, attitude, and practice have opposite effects. Moreover, the dual effects of the low perception threshold are verified, that is, facing the work environment produces more negative consequences, whereas perceiving more resources stimulates more positive consequences. Overall, the research provides a clearer dialectical view of vulnerability, contributing wisdom toward accurate management based on empowerment theory, which lays a solid foundation for bridging gaps in health and well‐being.
Prediction of successful labor induction in persons with a low Bishop score using machine learning: Secondary analysis of two randomized controlled trials
Authors: D'Souza Rohan , Doyle Orla , Miller Hugh , Pillai Natasha , Angehrn Zuzanna , Li Philip , Ispas‐Jouron Simona
Published: December 2022

Background

The objective of this paper was to identify predictors of a vaginal birth in individuals with singleton pregnancies and a Bishop Score <4, following Induction of Labor (IoL) using dinoprostone vaginal insert (DVI). Secondarily, we sought to understand the association between oxytocin use for labor augmentation and IoL outcomes.

Methods

We developed and internally validated a multivariate prediction model using machine learning (ML) applied to data from two Phase‐III randomized controlled double‐blind trials (NCT01127581, NCT00308711). The model was internally validated using 10‐fold cross‐validation.

Results

This study included 1107 participants. Despite unfavorable cervical status and inclusion of high‐risk pregnancies, 72% of participants had vaginal births. The model's area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.73. The following factors increased the chance of vaginal birth: being parous; being between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation; having a lower Body Mass Index; having a lower maternal age; having fewer maternal comorbidities; and having a higher Bishop score. Parity alone correctly predicted the outcome in ~50% of cases, at a ~10% false‐negative rate.

Participants whose labors progressed without requiring oxytocin had a higher probability of vaginal birth than those requiring oxytocin for either induction or augmentation (81% vs 70% vs 77%, respectively).

Discussion

Even in high‐risk pregnancies and with low Bishop scores, the use of DVI results in a high chance of vaginal birth. Parity is a critical predictor of success. The judicious use of oxytocin for labor induction or augmentation can increase the chance of vaginal birth. Our study validates the use of ML and predictive modeling for treatment response prediction when considering IoL.
Attrition of dental therapists in South Africa—A 42‐year review
Authors: Sodo Pumla Pamella , Jewett Sara , Nemutandani Mbulaheni Simon , Yengopal Veerasamy
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Dental therapists are mid‐level oral healthcare providers introduced in 1977 to the South African health system to improve access to oral health services. There has, however, been anecdotal evidence of their unusually high rate of attrition that is cause for concern.

Aim and Objectives

This study aimed to determine the demographic profile and attrition rate among members of the South African Dental Therapy profession.

Methods

A retrospective time series review of records of all dental therapists who were previously registered and who are still registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) between 1977 and 2019 was conducted.

Results

A total of 1232 dental therapists were registered from 1977 to 2019. The majority (64%) were Africans. Most practicing dental therapists were based in KwaZulu‐Natal (44%) and Gauteng (27%), which are the provinces where dental therapists are trained. The overall attrition rate between 1977 and 2019 was 40%, with a figure of 9% for the last 10 years of the study (2010 to 2019).

Conclusion

This study has provided the first evidence of the high attrition rate of dental therapists in South Africa. The high attrition warrants further investigation to address the loss of valuable human resources from an already overburdened and under‐resourced public oral health sector.
Engaging stakeholders in wildlife disease management: Hunters' willingness to adopt and support biosecurity actions to prevent the spread of rabbit hemorrhagic disease
Authors: Shapiro Hannah G. , D'Angelo Gino , Ruder Mark G. , Pienaar Elizabeth F.
Published: December 2022

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious virus that primarily infects rabbits and hares (lagomorphs) and poses a serious threat to lagomorph populations and hunting. Wildlife agencies in the United States rely on hunters to report RHDV2‐related mortalities and engage in voluntary biosecurity actions to prevent the spread of RHDV2. From April 2021 to April 2022, we conducted a nationwide survey of 22,511 hunters to ascertain their willingness to engage in voluntary biosecurity actions and support government‐mandated biosecurity measures. Respondents expressed greatest willingness to report suspicious lagomorph deaths to wildlife agencies. Respondents' willingness to engage in or support biosecurity actions was positively correlated with their risk perceptions pertaining to lagomorph deaths and the economic impacts of RHDV2, perceptions of the importance of biosecurity, and trust in state agencies to manage RHDV2. We found evidence that respondents' willingness to engage in or support biosecurity actions was also positively correlated with their knowledge of RHDV2. Wildlife agencies should clearly communicate about RHDV2 and its adverse impacts on lagomorphs, biodiversity, and hunting to engage hunters in biosecurity measures. Hunters can provide valuable information about lagomorph population trends and mortality events in the areas they hunt, a cost‐effective method to augment agency surveillance.
Optimism, pessimism, and perceptions of the Jordanian government's COVID‐19 response
Authors: Yaghi Abdulfattah
Published: December 2022

This study aims to examine people's optimistic and pessimistic perceptions of the government's capacity, intention, and performance during and after the lockdowns declared in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. An online survey was administered in Jordan and responses were collected from a convenience sample of 1245 citizens during April and May 2020. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and multiple regression reveal the following findings: (a) people expressed high levels of pessimism and low levels of trust and satisfaction concerning the government's intention, capacity, and performance, (b) people perceived the government to be a complex, multi‐faceted entity rather than a homogeneous entity, and (c) in assessing government performance, people considered the following dimensions: totality of government, institutions of public administration, high‐ranking public officials, and ordinary, public sector employees.
All that changes is not shift: methodological choices influence niche shift detection in freshwater invasive species
Authors: Lo Parrino Elia , Falaschi Mattia , Manenti Raoul , Ficetola Gentile Francesco
Published: December 2022

Species distribution models are often used to predict the potential distributions of invasive species outside their native ranges and rely on the assumption of realized niche conservatism. Analyses observed that freshwater invasive species often show high degrees of niche expansion, suggesting limited reliability of species distribution models. However, observed niche shifts can arise because of both actual niche shifts, determined by biological factors, and apparent shifts, due to methodological issues. We compared metrics of niche dynamics calculated using different sets of variables to identify factors that could influence the rate of niche shifts. We collected presence‐only data for 40 freshwater invasive animal species, then measured niche shift dynamics using 14 different combinations of environmental variables. Shifts were assessed measuring niche overlap, expansion and unfilling, and testing for niche conservatism. We then built generalized linear mixed models relating niche shifts to methodological choices and biological features. Our results showed that methodological choices strongly affected all the considered niche dynamics metrics, while the effects of biological features were less prominent. Moreover, different niche dynamic measures sometimes provided contradictory assessments of niche conservatism. Niche analyses are powerful tools to predict areas at risk of invasion, but inappropriate methodological choices can lead to apparent niche shifts, questioning niche model reliability and biological interpretation. The high rate of niche expansion observed in freshwater invasive species highlights the importance of delineating objective criteria to determine the set of variables to be used in niche dynamic assessments.
Insights into natal origins of migratory Nearctic hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae): new evidence from stable isotope (δ2H) assignment analyses
Authors: Clem C. Scott , Hobson Keith A. , Harmon‐Threatt Alexandra N.
Published: December 2022

Hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are an important group of insects that provide a multitude of key ecosystem services including pollination and biological control, yet many of their major life history traits are not understood. Some Palearctic hover fly species are known to migrate in response to changing seasonal conditions, yet this behavior is almost entirely unrecognized in Nearctic species. At least one species,Eupeodes americanus, is partially migratory during autumn whileAllograpta obliquamay be non‐migratory, but it is unknown where these insects originate and how far they may travel. We examined natal origins of two Nearctic hover fly species,A. obliquaandE. americanus, using stable hydrogen isotope (δ2H) measurements of metabolically inactive tissues (wings and legs) to derive a hover fly δ2H isoscape. WhileA. obliquawas mostly of local origin, severalE. americanuswere sourced from northern latitudes in the Midwestern United States and Canada, representing travel distance of up to 3000 km likely using seasonally favorable air currents. This phenomenon is expected to have major ecological and economic ramifications, especially in the realm of plant pollination ecology and biological control.
Free land, heavy burden: Industrial land administrative allocation and local fiscal imbalance in China
Authors: Huang Bo , Li Haitong , Lei Jinghua , Wang Yiqian
Published: December 2022

Using data from 285 Chinese cities for the years 2005–2018, this study analyzes the relationship between industrial land administrative allocation and local government fiscal imbalance in China. We find that the administrative allocation of industrial land significantly increases excessive fiscal expenditures and exacerbated fiscal imbalances. The increases in relevant government investment and transportation construction cost are the mechanisms by which industrial land administrative allocation aggravate government's financial imbalance. Further analysis indicates that land administrative allocation in medium cities, highly industrialized cities, and highly marketized cities have more significant impacts on local government' fiscal excess expenditures and deficits.
Fracture energy of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites with progressive interphase debonding, cavitation, and plastic deformation of nanovoids
Authors: Tiwari Anupam , Panda Saroja Kanta
Published: December 2022

The characteristics of the debonding process zone involving macroscale, microscale, and nanoscale mechanisms along CNT interface influence the fracture behavior of nanocomposites and their structural integrity. In current article, a multi‐scale and multi‐mechanism modeling approach with a cylindrical RVE comprising CNT, interphase, and matrix is developed to assess such damage progression and energy dissipation occurring at the nanoscale. The model considers the dominant damaging phenomena emerging in CNT/epoxy nanocomposites, that is, CNT debonding with an interphase zone around nanoparticles, cavitation, and plastic deformation of nanovoids. Enhancement of fracture toughness with the weight fraction of CNT is investigated with a qualitative variation of geometric and mechanical properties of the interphase, cavitation, and plastic yielding adopting strain energy release rate procedures. The fracture energy is shown to be critically influenced by the stiffness ratio of interphase to the matrix, interphase thickness, and hardening exponent. The model is validated using experimental and analytical data.
Helicobacter pylori‐positive chronic atrophic gastritis and cellular senescence
Authors: Zheng Shi‐yu , Zhu Lu , Wu Lu‐yi , Liu Hui‐rong , Ma Xiao‐peng , Li Qi , Wu Meng‐die , Wang Wen‐jia , Li Jing , Wu Huan‐gan
Published: December 2022

Background

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a pathological stage in the Correa’s cascade, whereby Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the primary cause. Cellular senescence is an inducing factor for cancer occurrence and cellular senescence is an obvious phenomenon in gastric mucosal tissues of H. pylori‐positive CAG patients.

Methods

In this review, we collated the information on cellular senescence and H. pylori‐positive CAG.

Results

At present, only a few studies have observed the effect of cellular senescence on precancerous lesions. In combination with the latest research, this review has collated the information on cellular senescence and H. pylori‐positive CAG from four aspects‐ telomere shortening, DNA methylation, increased reacive oxygen species (ROS) production, and failure of autophagy.

Conclusion

This is expected to be helpful for exploring the relevant mechanisms underlying inflammatory cancerous transformation and formulating appropriate treatment strategies.
Application of text mining to the development and validation of a geographic search filter to facilitate evidence retrieval in Ovid MEDLINE: An example from the United States
Authors: Cheung Antoinette , Popoff Evan , Szabo Shelagh M.
Published: December 2022

Background

Given the increasing volume of published research in bibliographic databases, efficient retrieval of evidence is crucial and represents an opportunity to integrate novel techniques such as text mining.

Objectives

To develop and validate a geographic search filter for identifying research from the United States (US) in Ovid MEDLINE.

Methods

US and non‐US citations were collected from bibliographies of evidence‐based reviews. Citations were partitioned by US/non‐US status and randomly divided to a training and testing set. Using text mining, common one‐ and two‐word terms in title/abstract fields were identified, and frequencies compared between US/non‐US citations.

Results

Common US‐related terms included (as ratio of frequency in US/non‐US citations) US populations and geographic terms [e.g., ‘Americans’ (15.5), ‘Baltimore’ (20.0)]. Common non‐US terms were non‐US geographic terms [e.g., ‘Japan’ (0.04), ‘French’ (0.05)]. A search filter was developed with 98.3% sensitivity and 82.7% specificity.

Discussion

This search filter will streamline the identification of evidence from the US. Periodic updates may be necessary to reflect changes in MEDLINE's controlled vocabulary.

Conclusion

Text mining was instrumental to the development of this search filter. A novel technique generated a gold standard set comprising >20,000 citations. This method may be adapted to develop subsequent geographic search filters.
Oral hygiene prior to cardiac surgery to prevent infections: Randomized clinical trial
Authors: Núñez María del Rosario Ruiz , Engel Franciely Daiana , Cardoso Mariane , Castro Renata Goulart , Montoya José Antonio Gil , de Mello Ana Lúcia Schaefer Ferreira
Published: December 2022

Context

It is not clear if an oral hygiene protocol to control biofilm applied before cardiac surgery can reduce infection rates.

Objective

We aim to verify the effectiveness of an oral hygiene protocol in reducing postoperative infections when compared to usual practices, in patients admitted to a cardiology unit, prior to cardiac surgery.

Design, Setting and Participants

Randomized, blind, controlled clinical trial, with 107 participants who expected to undergo cardiac surgery, randomized into two groups: Experimental Group (EG) standardized oral hygiene protocol (54) and Control Group (CG), usual practices performed in patients admitted (53). Intervention: a standardized oral hygiene protocol, 1 day before surgery: professional prophylaxis with a portable ultrasound device, tooth brushing and flossing plus a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate solution (0.12% CHX) mouth rinsing. When applicable, removable prostheses cleaning. Primary outcome: the presence of infection.

Results

The occurrence of postoperative infection was higher in CG = 7 (13.2%) than in EG = 5 (9.3%); but no statistical difference was found between protocols (p = 0.518). The length of stayed from surgery to discharge presented a statistical difference (p = 0.047; RR = 4.9; CI = 1.01–24.33); the percentage of postoperative infection was almost five times higher in those participants who stayed 11 or more days.

Conclusion

The standardized oral hygiene protocol with mechanical and chemical cleaning, 1 day before cardiac surgery, was not more effective than the usual practices performed regarding the reduction of postoperative infections. Other interventions regarding oral hygiene procedures before cardiac surgery must be studied to contribute to the reduction of adverse post‐surgical events.

Clinical Trial Registration

Site Ensaclinicos.gov.br number U1111‐1214‐2862.

Descriptors

Healthcare Associated Infections, Cardiovascular Diseases, Periodontal Diseases, Dental Biofilm, Cardiovascular Surgery.
A Systems ‘Analysis of Latine Education in Massachusetts: A Call for Critical Intercultural Integration
Authors: Colón Melissa , Veloria Carmen N. , Pica‐Smith Cinzia , Contini Rina Manuela
Published: December 2022

Despite attending schools in a state internationally recognized for innovation, research and education, Latine students in Massachusetts, USA continue to disproportionately experience discrimination, economic segregation, health disparities and racial inequities that have shaped their schooling experiences and outcomes across the educational pipeline (Colón, “We are beautiful people”: The schooling experiences of Puerto Rican school‐aged mothers [PhD Thesis]. Tufts University, 2019). Grounded in critical analysis of intercultural education towards social justice (Pica‐Smith et al., Social justice education in European multi‐ethnic schools. Addressing the goals of intercultural education. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, London, 2019), this paper critically examines publicly available data to highlight barriers, opportunities and the need for educational researchers, policymakers and administrators to collectively reimagine an educational project that attends to the needs of this population. In the context of the unyielding disparate impact of COVID‐19, we argue that more ever, this reimagination needs to be grounded in the dynamic conception of culture (Levitt et al., International Migration Review, 38, 1002, 2004), intercultural perspectives on education that are based on critical notions of intergroup contact, dialogue and exchange (Allport, Forms and techniques of altruistic and spiritual growth: a symposium, 1954, 367; Council of Europe, White paper on intercultural dialogue. Living together as equals in dignity, Strasburgo, 2008) and multidimensional notion of belonging at the micro and macro levels for a more just education writ large.
Locomotion development and infants' object interaction in a day‐care environment
Authors: Toyama Noriko
Published: December 2022

This longitudinal study examined the relationship between the development of locomotion and infants' interaction with others involving objects. Observations took place in a multi‐person situation—a day‐care class—for one‐year‐old infants for 1 year. The study participants were 13 infants and 7 caregivers (all Japanese). Frequencies of infants’ manual contact with objects and moving before contact with them did not differ according to locomotion developmental level. However, infants who began walking engaged in more social interactions than those who were cruising or crawling. Throughout all locomotor developmental periods, social interactions increased in frequency when more caregivers were present. As infants began to walk, they moved more prior to social interactions, had more frequent bidirectional and triadic social interactions, and moved and interacted more often with others during a single object episode. These results suggest that crawlers' engagement with objects is relatively object‐oriented, while for walkers, locomotion seems to be driven by social stimuli. Infants who have begun to walk moved among caregivers and peers in a multi‐person environment and developed more elaborated social interactions through objects.
Feasibility, comparability and outcomes of three acquainted facial island flaps for periorbital defects reconstruction
Authors: Fang Zhuoqun , Wu Yujie , Li Jun , Wang Kejia , He Ting , Wang Hongtao , Yang Xuekang , Liu Honglei , Han Juntao
Published: December 2022

Severe coloboma of ocular malignant neoplasms post‐resection poses a reconstructive challenge to surgeons. To compare the practicability, manipulability and outcomes of temporal (myocutaneous) flaps (TFs), forehead (supratrochlear artery/supraorbital artery) flaps (FFs) and buccal (facial artery) flaps (BFs) for periorbital defects reconstruction, a retrospective case series was conducted and evaluated between March 2014 and March 2021. Patient demographics and clinical parameters including age, gender, pathological diagnosis, operative methods, flap selection, operation time, aesthetic satisfaction and follow‐up period were collected. The differences in complications were compared and assessed of the three flaps, including flap survival, venous congestion and donor site healing. Totally, 68 patients who underwent periorbital reconstructive operations because of common ocular malignant tumours were reviewed in this study. As for aesthetic satisfaction, a score more than “moderately dissatisfied” was obtained in 21 patients with TFs (95.5%), and of which the scores in FFs group were 12 cases (60%) and 16 cases with BFs reconstruction (61.5%) (P < .05). Severe microvascular complications underwent re‐exploration operation occurred in one patient with FFs (1.5%) (P > .05). Notable flap necrosis was observed in two patients with BFs repair (2.9%) and in one case with FFs repair (1.5%), with no statistical difference between the three flap selections (P > .05). Moderate venous congestion occurred in one patient with TFs (1.5%), which was fully meliorated non‐surgically. The three familiar facial island flaps are considered as minor trauma and time‐saving process for reconstructing the extensive periorbital defects with comparable ranks of complications.
RETRACTED: Effects of breathing exercise techniques on the pain and anxiety of burn patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Miri Sahar , Hosseini Seyed Javad , Takasi Poorya , Mollaei Amirabbas , Firooz Mahbobeh , Falakdami Atefeh , Osuji Joseph , Ghorbani Vajargah Pooyan , Karkhah Samad
Published: December 2022

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aim to summarise the effect of breathing exercise techniques (BET) on the pain and anxiety of burn patients during burn care. A systematic search was performed on international electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, as well as on Iranian electronic databases such as Iranmedex and Scientific Information Database (SID) with keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as ‘Burns’, ‘Bandages’, ‘Pain’, ‘Pain management’, ‘Anxiety’, ‘Breathing’, and ‘Breathing exercise’, which were performed from the earliest to 4 April 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist assessed the quality of randomised control trials (RCTs) and quasi‐experimental studies. The current meta‐analysis was performed using STATA V.14.0 software. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine significance levels. Random effect model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD). A total of 469 burn patients participated in 10 studies. Exactly 58.60% of burn patients were male, and the number of people in the intervention and control groups was equal. The mean age of burn patients was 32.84 (SD = 10.39). Exactly 78.05% of patients had second‐degree burns. The mean study duration was 19 weeks. Results of analysis of RCT studies showed BET decreased insignificantly pain severity (WMD: −1.17, 95%CI: −2.54 to 0.21, Z = 1.66, P = .096, I2:97.1%) in the intervention group than control group. However, the results of non‐RCTs studies indicated BET significantly decreased pain (WMD: −1.38, 95%CI: −2.16 to −0.61, Z = 3.49, P < .001, I2:88.4%) and anxiety (WMD: −4.91, 95%CI: −9.35 to −0.47, Z = 2.71, P = .03 0.001, I2:88.4%) in the intervention group than control group. Overall, the results of RCTs found BET intervention decreased pain in the intervention group when compared with the control group; however, it was statistically insignificant. Also, results of non‐RCT studies showed intervention of BET significantly decreased pain and anxiety in burns patients. More RCTs studies are required for better judgement of the effectiveness of BET intervention in clinical settings.
A systematic review of nurses' practice and related factors toward pressure ulcer prevention
Authors: Ghorbani Vajargah Pooyan , Mollaei Amirabbas , Falakdami Atefeh , Takasi Poorya , Moosazadeh Zahra , Esmaeili Shaqayeq , Emami Zeydi Amir , Karkhah Samad
Published: December 2022

In most health care centres, pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common concern. This systematic review aimed to summarise nurses' practice and related factors toward PU prevention. An extensive search was conducted on electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database via keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as “Pressure ulcer”, “Pressure sore”, “Bedsore”, “Practice”, and “Nurses” from the earliest to 9 March 2022. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the appraisal tool for cross‐sectional studies (AXIS tool). Data extraction and quality assessment of included studies were performed by two researchers independently. A total of 6501 nurses were enrolled in twenty‐nine studies. Of the participants, 75.15% were female and 55.64% were single, and 94.57% had a bachelor of science in nursing degree. Mean age and work experience of nurses was 30.69 (SD = 4.73) and 8.61 (SD = 5.44) years, respectively. The mean score of nurses' practices toward the prevention of PUs was 57.58 (SD = 14.62) out of 100. Also, 48.95% of nurses had a desirable practice toward the prevention of PUs. Factors such as knowledge (n = 6), attitude (n = 4), level of education (n = 4), a history of participating in workshops related to the prevention of PUs (n = 3), work experience (n = 2), area of practice (n = 2), self‐adequacy (n = 1), follow the literature (n = 1), age (n = 1), and involvement in research (n = 1) had a significant positive relationship with nurses' practice toward PUs prevention. However, the nurses practice of PUs prevention had a significant negative relationship with lack of job satisfaction (n = 1), disproportionate nurse‐to‐patient ratio (n = 1), and lack of policies and guidelines (n = 1). The level of nurses' practice toward the prevention of PUs was relatively desirable. The result of this study can help improve the practice of nurses toward PUs prevention. Increasing nurses' knowledge and attitude toward PUs prevention can improve their practice. Therefore, it is suggested that policymakers and nursing managers implement PUs prevention education for nurses based on the factors associated with nurses' practice.
The Association of Plasma Magnesium Concentration and Thyroid Gland Activity in Young Calves
Authors: Mulei C.M. , Daniel R. C.W.
Published: December 2022

Hypomagnesaemia was induced in young calves 1—2 weeks old by feeding them a diet composed of skimmed milk and barley straw to which urea, potassium chloride and soya‐bean oil were added. Blood samples were collected from each calf once a week from the jugular vein until there was a significantly lower (P < 0.01) plasma magnesium concentration in the experimental compared to the control calves receiving MgO instead of KCl. The blood samples were analysed for plasma glucose concentration and thyroid hormones as well as for plasma magnesium concentration. The Tree Thyroxine Index (FTI) values were lower (P<0.05) and plasma glucose concentrations higher (P <0.01) in the experimental calves than in the control calves. The results suggest that experimentally induced hypomagnesaemia is associated with a reduced thyroid gland activity and elevated plasma glucose concentration in young calves.
Anticarcinogenic impact of extracellular vesicles (exosomes) from cord blood stem cells in malignant melanoma: A potential biological treatment
Authors: Naeem Parisa , Baumgartner Adi , Ghaderi Nader , Sefat Farshid , Alhawamdeh Maysa , Heidari Saeed , Shahzad Fanila , Swaminathan Karthic , Akhbari Pouria , Isreb Mohammad , Anderson Diana , Wright Andrew , Najafzadeh Mojgan
Published: December 2022

Incidence of Malignant Melanoma has become the 5th in the UK. To date, the major anticancer therapeutics include cell therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and nanotechnology‐based strategies. Recently, extracellular vesicles, especially exosomes, have been highlighted for their therapeutic benefits in numerous chronic diseases. Exosomes display multifunctional properties, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and initiation of apoptosis. In the present in vitro study, the antitumour effect of cord blood stem cell (CBSC)‐derived exosomes was confirmed by the CCK‐8 assay (p < 0.05) on CHL‐1 melanoma cells and improve the repair mechanism on lymphocytes from melanoma patients. Importantly, no significant effect was observed in healthy lymphocytes when treated with the exosome concentrations at 24, 48 and 72 h. Comet assay results (OTM and %Tail DNA) demonstrated that the optimal exosome concentration showed a significant impact (p < 0.05) in lymphocytes from melanoma patients whilst causing no significant DNA damage in lymphocytes of healthy volunteers was 300 μg/ml. Similarly, the Comet assay results depicted significant DNA damage in a melanoma cell line (CHL‐1 cells) treated with CBSC‐derived exosomes, both the cytotoxicity of CHL‐1 cells treated with CBSC‐derived exosomes exhibited a significant time‐dependent decrease in cell survival. Sequencing analysis of CBSC exosomes showed the presence of the let‐7 family of miRNAs, including let‐7a‐5p, let‐7b‐5p, let‐7c‐5p, let‐7d‐3p, let‐7d‐5p and two novel miRNAs. The potency of CBSC exosomes in inhibiting cancer progression in lymphocytes from melanoma patients and CHL‐1 cells whilst causing no harm to the healthy lymphocytes makes it a potential candidate as an anticancer therapy.
Emotional dysregulation in childhood and disordered eating and self‐harm in adolescence: prospective associations and mediating pathways
Authors: Warne Naomi , Heron Jon , Mars Becky , Solmi Francesca , Biddle Lucy , Gunnell David , Hammerton Gemma , Moran Paul , Munafò Marcus , Penton‐Voak Ian , Skinner Andy , Stewart Anne , Bould Helen
Published: December 2022

Background

Emotional dysregulation may be a risk factor for disordered eating and self‐harm in young people, but few prospective studies have assessed these associations long‐term, or considered potential mediators. We examined prospective relationships between childhood emotional dysregulation and disordered eating and self‐harm in adolescence; and social cognition, emotional recognition, and being bullied as mediators.

Methods

We analysed Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children data on 3,453 males and 3,481 females. We examined associations between emotional dysregulation at 7 years and any disordered eating and any self‐harm at 16 years with probit regression models. We also assessed whether social cognition (7 years), emotional recognition (8 years) and bullying victimisation (11 years) mediated these relationships.

Results

Emotional dysregulation at age 7 years was associated with disordered eating [fully adjusted probit B (95% CI) = 0.082 (0.029, 0.134)] and self‐harm [fully adjusted probit B (95% CI) = 0.093 (0.036, 0.150)] at age 16 years. There was no evidence of sex interactions or difference in effects between self‐harm and disordered eating. Mediation models found social cognition was a key pathway to disordered eating (females 51.2%; males 27.0% of total effect) and self‐harm (females 15.7%; males 10.8% of total effect). Bullying victimisation was an important pathway to disordered eating (females 17.1%; males 10.0% of total effect), but only to self‐harm in females (15.7% of total effect). Indirect effects were stronger for disordered eating than self‐harm.

Conclusions

In males and females, emotional dysregulation in early childhood is associated with disordered eating and self‐harm in adolescence and may be a useful target for prevention and treatment. Mediating pathways appeared to differ by sex and outcome, but social cognition was a key mediating pathway for both disordered eating and self‐harm.
Noncompete agreements, training, and wage competition
Authors: Shy Oz , Stenbacka Rune
Published: December 2022

We study the effects of noncompete agreements in an environment where firms invest in training junior workers. After obtaining employer‐provided training, trained workers can choose whether to remain loyal to their initial employer or switch to the competing employer. We evaluate the effects of noncompete agreements on wages, employment, investment in training, production, profits, and total welfare. Firms earn higher profits and pay lower average wage when they require workers to sign noncompete agreements.
Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oils of three Artemisia species
Authors: Seixas Paula Tatiana Lopes , Demuner Antonio Jacinto , Barbosa Luiz Claudio Almeida , Cerceau Cristiane Isaac , Blank Daiane Einhardt , Santos Marcelo Henrique Dos , Farias Elizeu de Sá , Picanço Marcelo Coutinho
Published: December 2022

Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector for serious diseases in tropical regions. This pest is mainly controlled by commercial larvicides but the application of such products has led to environmental problems. Essential oils (EO) have been consistently reported as molecules with insecticidal activity and can be used to produce more environmentally friendly larvicides in the control of A. aegypti. In this study, the larvicidal effect of essential oils (EO) from the leaves of three Artemisia species was evaluated against A. aegypti. The oils were obtained from steam distillation and their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The EO of Artemisia camphorata was the most active in the screening bioassay and presented LC50 and LC95 of 64.95 and 74.18 μg ml−1, respectively. In addition, we found that germacrene D‐4‐ol was the constituent responsible for the toxicity of this EO. Artemisia camphorata EO and its major constituent, germacrene D‐4‐ol, are promising for the development of natural larvicides against A. aegypti.
Are centenarians successful agers? Evidence from China
Authors: Lu Siyao , Shogo Ismail , Feng Qiushi , Yeung Wei‐Jun Jean
Published: December 2022

Background

It is unclear to what degree centenarians are successful agers. We assess successful aging (SA) and its subtypes in a large Chinese sample.

Methods

Based on a large national sample of 18,311 Chinese centenarians, we first estimated the prevalence of SA among centenarians, and then used the Latent Class Analysis to classify centenarians into different types based on the five dimensions of SA. Multinomial regression analysis was used to examine how demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle covariates are associated with these identified types.

Results

5.7% of centenarians fulfilled all five criteria of SA, and 1.3% failed all five criteria. The remainder could be classified into six types of SA. The regression analysis further revealed that these SA types were related to various social factors. For example, with timely access to medical care, centenarians were three times more likely to be successful agers.

Conclusions

Centenarians demonstrate substantial heterogeneity in terms of achieving five SA criteria. Social factors are found to be significantly associated with centenarians' aging performances. Specific subtypes of SA among centenarians may be associated with and help explore different underlying biological‐environmental mechanisms of exceptional longevity.
The current and potential role of urban metabolism studies to analyze the role of food in urban sustainability
Authors: Guibrunet Louise , Sánchez Jiménez Araceli
Published: December 2022

Food supply chains are essential for urban sustainability. To reflect on the state of knowledge on urban food flows in urban metabolism research, and the actual and potential role of urban metabolism studies to tackle food sustainability in cities, we systematically review scientific research on food from an urban metabolism perspective and apply statistical and thematic analyses. The analysis of 89 studies provides insights as to the relation between food supply and (environmental and social dimensions of) urban sustainability. First, food is an important contributor to urban environmental impacts, if a consumption‐based approach is adopted. Secondly, the social impacts of urban food supply remain scarcely studied in urban metabolism research, but emerging results on public health, malnutrition, and food waste appear promising. In parallel, we find that the findings of the studies fail to engage with debates present in the broader literature, such as that of food justice. Our analysis shows that most studies focus on large cities in high‐income, data‐rich countries. This limits our understanding of global urban food supply. Existing studies use innovative mixed‐methods to produce robust accounts of urban food flows in data‐scarce contexts; expanding these accounts is necessary to get a better understanding of how urban food supply and its diverse impacts in terms of environmental and social sustainability may vary across cities, a necessary step for the urban metabolism literature to contribute to current debates around food sustainability and justice.
AtMCM10 promotes DNA replication‐coupled nucleosome assembly in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Xinjie , Wang Jingyi , Jin Dan , Cheng Jinkui , Chen Hui , Li Zhen , Wang Yu , Lou Huiqiang , Zhu Jian‐Kang , Du Xuan , Gong Zhizhong
Published: December 2022

Minichromosome Maintenance protein 10 (MCM10) is essential for DNA replication initiation and DNA elongation in yeasts and animals. Although the functions of MCM10 in DNA replication and repair have been well documented, the detailed mechanisms for MCM10 in these processes are not well known. Here, we identified AtMCM10 gene through a forward genetic screening for releasing a silenced marker gene. Although plant MCM10 possesses a similar crystal structure as animal MCM10, AtMCM10 is not essential for plant growth or development in Arabidopsis. AtMCM10 can directly bind to histone H3‐H4 and promotes nucleosome assembly in vitro. The nucleosome density is decreased in Atmcm10, and most of the nucleosome density decreased regions in Atmcm10 are also regulated by newly synthesized histone chaperone Chromatin Assembly Factor‐1 (CAF‐1). Loss of both AtMCM10 and CAF‐1 is embryo lethal, indicating that AtMCM10 and CAF‐1 are indispensable for replication‐coupled nucleosome assembly. AtMCM10 interacts with both new and parental histones. Atmcm10 mutants have lower H3.1 abundance and reduced H3K27me1/3 levels with releasing some silenced transposons. We propose that AtMCM10 deposits new and parental histones during nucleosome assembly, maintaining proper epigenetic modifications and genome stability during DNA replication.
Caregivers' perception of adults with Down syndrome willingness to participate in research
Authors: Kyprianou N. , Hendrix J. , Hillerstrom H. , Grimm R. , Kirova A.‐M. , Rubenstein E.
Published: December 2022

Background

Historically, individuals with Down syndrome have been excluded from clinical research. Our objective was to assess the degree of interest adults with Down syndrome have in participating in research from the perspective of the caregivers who care for them.

Methods

We conducted an online survey of N = 390 caregivers of adults with Down syndrome and asked about interest in research participation and demographics.

Results

Caregivers were mostly family members, older than 55 years, and White. Caregivers reported that the adult with Down syndrome that they cared for would be more comfortable participating in research that was physiological, such as research involving fit bits (70.2% would participate), exercise (63.3%) or diet apps (53.9%), whereas they would be less likely to participate in clinical trials involving more invasive procedures such as injections (10.9%) and laboratory exams like MRIs (32.0%). We found little difference by age or gender of the adult with Down syndrome or by caregiver education level.

Conclusions

Our survey identified high interest for less invasive studies, illustrating acceptability of observational and lifestyle studies. More effort may be needed to understand fear and barriers to participation and to create tools and methods to increase interest in more invasive studies.