bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the cerebral venous drainage in space missions: the Drain Brain experiments of the Italian Space Agency
Authors: Mari Silvia , Pagani Anselmo , Valentini Giovanni , Mascetti Gabriele , Pignataro Salvatore , Proto Antonino , Menegatti Erica , Taibi Angelo , Zamboni Paolo
Published: October 2023

It is well known that the space environment induces major alterations to various human physiological systems, determining a general deconditioning of the body. Medical research programs aim to keep the astronaut’s health status during the mission, enable their ready operation once they arrive at their destination, and allow their safe recovery when returned to Earth. Among the programs coordinated and supported by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the experiments called Drain Brain, performed by the University of Ferrara, are particularly relevant in this respect. The project, which began with the collaboration of Samantha Cristoforetti in 2014, has demonstrated the capability of a plethysmograph system to study the cerebral circulation and the venous return from the brain to the heart, onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Demonstrating the progressive reduction of the cross-sectional area of the internal jugular vein, particularly significant between pre-flight data collection and the last assessment after 6 months of flight on the ISS (p<0.001). Over the next two years, thanks to the Drain Brain 2.0 project, crews of the International Space Station will be studied with a new version of the plethysmograph, synchronized with the electrocardiogram, to assess cardiac efficiency and brain drainage in relation to symptoms such as blurred vision, numbness, or the feared onset of jugular thrombosis, that is linked to blood flow slowdown due to the absence of the gravitational gradient. Drain Brain 2.0 will also generate important returns to Earth, closing the virtuous circle of terrestrial application of space research.
A Systematic Review of Studies Assessing Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men with Late-Onset Hypogonadism Due to Obesity ± Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Abichandani Vinod , Kalhan Atul
Published: October 2023

Background:

There is a lack of consensus regarding efficacy and cardiovascular (CV) safety of testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) in men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) secondary to obesity ±type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This is because of limited number of prospective randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in this cohort.

Methods:

A comprehensive retrospective review of medical literature was carried out using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework to assess the CV outcomes and safety of TRT in men with LOH. The review included scientific publications from January 2000 to July 2021, which included men with obesity ± T2DM.

Results:

Out of the 723 publications, which were identified on preliminary screening, 154 conformed to broad inclusion criteria for this systematic review of literature. Out of these 154 publications, 34 studies with a total number of 4,365,684 patients were finally included for this systematic review (9 randomized controlled trials, 6 meta-analyses and 19 observational studies). Studies investigating whether TRT offers protection against CV disease (CVD) and stroke generally concluded that the use of Testosterone (T) in middle-aged to elderly men has no detrimental impact on their CV risk. Older men with T2DM, obesity and metabolic syndrome are likely to benefit from TRT, as several studies point to an improvement in insulin sensitivity, markers of inflammation, time to Angina, CV risk, CV mortality, and even all-cause mortality.

Conclusions:

This retrospective systematic review of the literature, suggests modest efficacy of TRT in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and all-cause mortality in men with LOH secondary to obesity and/or T2DM. TRT was associated with an increased risk of overall CVDs and MACE only when T preparations were given at supratherapeutic dosage or when TRT was offered to frail men. The findings of the current review could not confirm TRT as a cause of adverse CV events.
Ambulatory Glucose Profile of Type 2 Diabetes Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Purandare Vedavati B , Kakrani Arjun L. , Bhalekar Prashant S. , Unnikrishnan Ambika G.
Published: October 2023

Background:

Management of glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is challenging. There are various factors contributing to glycemic variability (GV), including altered metabolism of glucose and insulin in the ESRD stage. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system measures glucose levels continuously and helps to study the glucose profile of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This pilot study aimed to analyze the ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) of type 2 diabetes patients with ESRD undergoing HD and study the GV when patients were on HD (referred to as ON days) versus when patients were not on HD (referred as OFF days).

Materials and Methods:

We enrolled 10 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and ESRD undergoing maintenance HD in the study. Data regarding patient characteristics, including age, gender, duration of diabetes mellitus, HbA1c, and serum fructosamine, were collected. The AGP data obtained by the CGM sensor on the HD ON days was compared to AGP data on HD OFF days.

Results:

There was a significant linear correlation of CGM-derived average blood glucose with HbA1c value; however, the association was not significant with fructosamine level. The CGM-derived average glucose level was significantly lower during HD ON days compared to HD OFF days, difference being 29.9 mg/dl (−33.7, −26.0; P < 0.001), whereas GV was significantly higher during HD OFF days compared to ON days.

Conclusion:

The variation in the glucose levels was higher during the HD OFF days compared to HD ON days. Future AGP studies recruiting more number of patients on HD will help better understand the clinical impact of glucose profile and GV in ESRD patients.
Moyamoya disease caused frequent transient ischemic attack and focal epilepsy in a Taiwanese child: A case report
Authors: Lin Ching-Ming , Lin Yu-Pang , Hu Chih-Fen
Published: October 2023

We report a case of a 4-year-old boy with a history of global developmental delay presenting with recurrent sudden onset of weakness and spontaneous recovery and refractory focal seizures. The findings of his brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the underlying cause of his unexplained neurological deficits was moyamoya disease (MMD). Revascularization can cure MMD-associated transient ischemic attacks and seizures. Proper control of seizures and blood pressure and early use of antiplatelet treatment before the surgery may lead to better outcomes.
An overview of high altitude and mountain sickness
Authors: Chen Chieh , Lin Guan-Hong
Published: October 2023

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) refers to the impact of the environment on body health at high elevations. It is classified into three based on the onset condition, namely, AMS, high-altitude cerebral edema, and high-altitude pulmonary edema. This type of sickness is a signal that tells the human body to adapt to the environment at 2500 m or above elevation, wherein low air pressure and oxygen will impair bodily functions. The Lake Louise AMS scale was created to assess the condition in adults. It was first developed in 1991 and remains a useful scale to help diagnose the severity of AMS. It was updated in 2018, in which sleep disturbance was removed as an indicating symptom.
Evaluation of the impact of high-volume online hemodiafiltration on glycemic status, hydration status, and body fat content in diabetic patients
Authors: Hsiao Jung-Lung , Pai Yen-Hui , Huang Chiung-Hui , Chiu Li-Shu , Chang Hui-Chen , Wu Ming-Ying , Cheng Chih-Chieh , Lim Paik-Seong
Published: October 2023

Background:

The increasing patients with diabetes undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have concerned about the issue of glucose delivery with substitution fluid. We evaluate the effects of online high-volume hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) versus high flux HD (HF-HD) on the influence of glycemic status and body fat content in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving HD.

Objectives:

The influence glucose in substitution fluid on glycemic status and body fat content in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

This study evaluated 117 patients receiving HD for more than 3 months (17 patients with T2DM receiving high-volume OL-HDF and the other 100 patients receiving HF-HD). Initially, we performed a cross-sectional study and later examined two modalities of high-volume OL-HDF in a 9-month cross-over study. Overall glycemic control was estimated from the fasting blood glucose (FBG) and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Body composition and nutritional status were assessed by bioimpedance spectroscopy.

Results:

FBG and HbA1c were not significantly different in both groups of patients after having followed for 12 weeks. No significant differences were found in overhydration status and body fat content between the two therapy modalities. The blood hemoglobin (Hb) level increased in the high-volume OL-HDF group compared with the HF-HD group. Additionally, no differences were observed in glycemic status, body mass index, or body fat mass between both high-volume pre- and post-dilutional OL-HDF.

Conclusion:

High-volume OL-HDF did not have an adverse impact on glycemic status, body mass index, and body fat content in patients with diabetes undergoing HD in our short-term study. A large-scale and long-term follow-up study is required to confirm these results.
COVID-19 early assessment outcomes on Internet data: A review study
Authors: Yu Suz-I , Hu Ching-Wen , Hsu Ya-Hui , Tseng Yao-Hsien , Fan Hueng-Chuen
Published: October 2023

Background:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2, which is a novel coronavirus from the same family as SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, has overrun worldwide leading the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic.

Objectives:

This study aimed to clarify high-risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with multivariate analysis and establish a predictive model of disease progression to help clinicians better choose a therapeutic strategy. Clinical implications of COVID-19 will push society past this pandemic with the latest in technology and research and further studies into the pathogenesis evaluation.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of the PubMed, MEDLINE, Uptodate, Natural MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases was made, using the following search terms: “COVID-19,” “COVID-19 SCORE,” “COVID-19 diagnosis,” “COVID-19 management,” “coronavirus,” and “SARS-CoV-2.” We included scientific publications from December 1, 2019, to April 31, 2021, which focused on clinical characteristics and treatments for SARS-CoV-2 that were eligible for inclusion. We screened all reference lists of relevant studies to identify any missing publications.

Results:

A total of 40 articles were reviewed. We revealed that the present review emphasizes that the higher risk of comorbidity, age, lymphocyte, and lactate dehydrogenase (CALL) score has a good predictive value for mortality in COVID-19 than the CURB-65 score. The 2021–2022 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is a global concern due to its rapid spread to displace the main Delta and Omicron variants. This scoring system has been designed to categorize based on the systemic disease involvement and, thus, would serve as a reliable indicator for prognostic assessment in patients.

Conclusion:

This review highlights the higher predictive value of the CALL score for higher risk COVID-19 mortality than the CURB-65 score. The 2021–2022 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is of global concern as its rapid spread has replaced the main Delta and Alpha variants. Scoring systems are designed to categorize disease and, thus, serve as reliable indicators of patient prognosis. Therefore, establishing corresponding standard assessment forms and admission criteria and preparing medical resources for critically ill patients is necessary as much as possible.
Early-onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiometabolic Risk in India
Authors: Gupta Vipul , Khurana Girish
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

The Indian patient phenotype with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) merits a more holistic understanding of the cardiometabolic risk profile. As per the principles of precision medicine, such understanding can help appraise the clinical place of interventions like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibition (SGLT2-i), for this population.

Methodology:

This observational study represents cases with T2DM, aged ≤40 years, who were newly initiated on empagliflozin on top of standard therapy. Analysis was performed for demographics and clinical characteristics at baseline and 3 months following empagliflozin use. Parameters for analysis included clinical and laboratory indicators of glycemic control, adiposity, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and derived indicators for cardiometabolic risk. Descriptive statistics have been used for the analysis. Further, subgroups by body mass index (BMI) status (< or ≥25 kg/m2) have been compared for certain continuous variables, using an unpaired t-test.

Results:

The study included 70 patients, with a mean age of nearly 36 years. The mean BMI was 25.57 kg/m2; approximately 43% of patients had a BMI ≥25 kg/m2. The nonobese patients had a higher triglyceride-glucose index and lower fasting insulin levels, compared to obese patients. The risk of advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was low in this population. The addition of empagliflozin to background therapy improved the HbA1c level by 1.21% with 44% goal-achievement and other metabolic parameters. Weight loss and anthropometric changes were modest. Empagliflozin use was associated with meaningful improvements in cardiometabolic parameters, including triglyceride-glucose index, atherogenic index of plasma, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index, visceral adiposity index, Fibrosis-4 index, and aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index scores, in this population. Insulin resistance remained higher than normal in most patients, despite improvement with empagliflozin use over 3 months.

Conclusion:

The study findings for people with early-onset T2DM in India indicate: (1) the need for opportunistic screening for T2DM at an earlier age; (2) a high prevalence of insulin resistance regardless of obesity status; (3) meaningful improvements in overall cardiometabolic risk profile with SGLT2-i use; and (4) the importance of long-term optimization of diabetes care in this population.
The Effect of Oral Semaglutide in Combination with other Hypoglycemic Agents in Patients with Diabesity
Authors: Raskar Vivek , Singh Santosh Kumar , Suri Sandeep , Shankar Praveen , Sonawane Ashutosh , Hasnani Dhruvi , Chavda Vipul
Published: October 2023

The twin epidemic of diabesity is a major concern in current practice. Treatment strategies that benefit weight and glycemia are the need of the hour. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors are known to have a beneficial effect on weight reduction. Further, patients are often noncompliant with injectable medications despite the medications being effective. GLP-1 receptor agonist is one of the high glycemic efficacy therapies that can potentially reduce the risk of cardio-renal diseases. Until recently, GLP-1 receptor agonists were available in an injectable formulation. Semaglutide is the first in this class of drugs available as an oral formulation. Direct and indirect evidence has confirmed the safety and efficacy of semaglutide, including oral formulation. There are no trial data on oral semaglutide in Indian subjects with type 2 diabetes and obesity. We present a series of case reports where semaglutide was added to achieve adequate glycemic control with the added benefit of weight loss. Oral semaglutide was associated with a 1.5% reduction in glycosylated haemoglobin and 3–14 kg weight reduction after 3 months. Large clinical trials must confirm the findings from isolated cases, though the Indian population also responded as reported cases.
Surgical and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted versus laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for upper-tract urothelial carcinoma: A single-center comparative analysis
Authors: Vasudeo Vivek , Singh Amitabh , Khanna Ashish , Rawal Sudhir Kumar , Pratihar Sarbartha Kumar , Saurabh Nikhil , Kumar Bhuwan , Ali Mujahid , Sharma Prerit , Akotkar Shravika , Sharma Girish , Kesarwani Bhagyashri
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

We retrospectively compared surgical and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted (RA) radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in patients of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma with a cohort of patients who underwent the same procedure using a laparoscopic approach.

Methods:

Data of 63 consecutive patients who underwent RNU with bladder cuff excision (BCE) from 2011 to 2022 at a single tertiary care institution was retrospectively retrieved from the electronically maintained institutional database. Twenty-six cases underwent RNU with a laparoscopic approach, whereas 37 were done by RA approach. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and pathologic details and survival analyses were reported and compared. The tetrafecta of RNU, which include the performance of a BCE, lymphadenectomy, no positive surgical margin, and no major surgical complication, was also reviewed.

Results:

The mean age and body mass index of the robotic and laparoscopic groups were 61.5 years versus 62.7 years and 23.8 versus 24.9 kg/m2, respectively (P = 0.710 and 0.309). The Charlson Comorbidity Index and upper-tract tumor site distribution were comparable between the groups. There was no significant difference in the distribution of T stage, N stage, presence of multifocality, or lymphovascular invasion between the two groups. Although the rate of concomitant carcinoma in situ was higher in laparoscopic cohort, 42.8% versus 10.8% in robotic cohort (P = 0.004). The laparoscopic group had higher blood transfusion rates (50 vs. 13.5%, P = 0.002) and longer median hospital stays (7 vs. 4 days, P = 0.000). The median follow-up time was 21.5 versus 27 months in the laparoscopic and robotic groups. The RA group was significantly better in the achievement of the tetrafecta outcomes. The 5-year urinary bladder recurrence-free survival (UB RFS) and elsewhere RFS between the laparoscopic and robotic cohorts were 65% versus 72% and 56% versus 70%, respectively (P = 0.510 and 0.190). The laparoscopic cohort had worse 5-year cancer-specific survival and overall survival (64% vs. 90% and 58% vs. 74%, P = 0.04 and 0.08).

Conclusion:

The robotic approach to RNU and BCE has significantly lower transfusion rates, lower hospital stays, and significantly better cancer-specific survival rates.
Prostate cancer detection using magnetic resonance imaging-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pratihar Sarbartha Kumar , Khanna Ashish , Vasudeo Vivek , Gupta Rahul , Saurabh Nikhil , Kumar Bhuwan , Ali Mujahid , Akotkar Shravika S. , Rawal Sudhir Kumar , Singh Amitabh
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided systematic prostate biopsy is conventionally used for the diagnosis of carcinoma prostate (CaP). However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided biopsies have been shown to have superior diagnostic performance. MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy improves the detection by combining the systematic and the targeted biopsies (TB). In this study, we evaluated the role of fusion biopsy in the detection of CaP as well as clinically significant carcinoma prostate (CsCaP).

Methods:

In this retrospective study, the patients who underwent fusion biopsy from January 2016 to July 2022 were evaluated. Patients underwent multiparametric MRI and the suspicious lesions were reported as per the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) version 2. The clinical, imaging, and biopsy parameters were recorded and evaluated.

Results:

A total of 330 patients with PIRADS ≥3 underwent MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy and prostate cancer was detected in 187 patients (56.67%). With an increase in the PIRADS score, there was a significant rise in the detection of CaP (P < 0.001) and CsCaP (P < 0.0000001). Prostatitis was observed in 13%–18.1% of the patients with a lesion on MRI irrespective of the PIRADS score. The systematic and TB were comparable for the detection of CaP (P = 0.88) and CsCaP (P = 0.26). With a prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) cutoff of 0.15 ng/mL/cc and 0.22 ng/mL/cc, biopsy could be safely avoided in 14.2% and 20.3% of the patients, missing only 0.3% of CaP and 0.9% of CsCaP, respectively. Different subgroups based on PSA levels, prostate volume, lesion dimension, and PIRADS score did not show a significant difference between the systematic and the targeted cores for the detection of CsCaP.

Conclusion:

This single center study of MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy shows that in men with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer a pre-biopsy MRI and MRI-TRUS fusion combined systematic and targeted prostate biopsy improves the detection of prostate cancer and CsCaP. Patients with a PIRADS 3 lesion with a PSA density <0.22 can safely avoid prostate biopsy, without a significant risk of missing clinically significant prostate cancer.
Trends in reader access and article processing charges among urology journals: A systematic review
Authors: Uzun Hakki , Dil Eyüp , Akça Görkem , Özsagir Yusuf Önder , Sönmez Berat , Orman Erdem
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

This bibliometric study is designed to investigate the relations of urology journals with access types and article processing charges (APCs) to assess the changing paradigm in urology publishing.

Methods:

The three major databases: The Master Journal List directory by Clavirate Analytics, Scopus® and PubMed were queried for relevant journals in urology and subspecialties. Characterization of urology journals was undertaken, and citation metrics and APCs were compared across access types. A partial sampling was used to investigate the number of open access (OA) articles according to access types and correlations with both APCs and CiteScore.

Results:

Seventy-seven journals were included into the study. Gold and diamond OA journals comprised 35.4% of urology journals in 2009 and were increased to 49.3% in 2022. No significant difference was found for change in the CiteScore of 2017 and 2021 between the access types, F (2,63) = 0.152, P = 0.859, η2 = 0.005. A moderate positive correlation was found between APCs and CiteScore for both hybrid (rs [27] =0.431, P < 0.0005) and gold OA (rs [27] =0.489, P = 0.007) journals. The authors need to pay $1175 more to publish their articles in OA model in hybrid journals. The number of articles published in OA model by hybrid journals were not correlated with APCs (rs = 0.332, P = 0.078) but correlated with CiteScore (rs = 0.393, P = 0.035).

Conclusions:

A paradigm shift in urology publishing toward OA model has been occurring. Authors choose prestige, OA model, rapid publication, and less rigorous peer-review to publish their articles. APCs bear only moderate correlation with the citation metrics of the urology journals.
Large functional retroperitoneal paraganglioma: A surgical challenge
Authors: Varty Gurudutt P , Patkar Shraddha , Goel Mahesh
Published: October 2023

Paraganglioma is relatively rare retroperitoneal tumors. If functional retroperitoneal paragangliomas are misdiagnosed, surgical intervention can precipitate intraoperative hypertensive crises which may have serious consequences. We present a case of a 40-year-old female who presented with a large functional right-sided retroperitoneal paraganglioma encasing the inferior vena cava (IVC). The patient underwent paraganglioma excision with IVC resection with right nephrectomy. Such complex multivisceral resections require surgical expertise and are feasible at high-volume centers experienced in performing retroperitoneal surgeries.
Play therapy and storytelling intervention on children's social skills with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Karbasi Amel Afsaneh , Rahnamaei Helia , Hashemi Zeinab
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-behavioral disorder that negatively affects educational, relational, and occupational aspects of one's life. Although many children diagnosed with this disorder can benefit from taking medication, particularly for core symptoms, play therapy and storytelling can be seen as engaging, stimulating, and more compatible with children's developmental needs. The social skills of these children are as vital as other symptoms and can be better addressed with cognitive-based art therapy interventions. Because little research has been focused on the combination of play therapy and storytelling and the social interactions of children with ADHD are highly important in academic settings, this study aimed to determine the effects of this combination on children's social skills with ADHD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This survey was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test–post-test design and a control group. Participants were 7–11-year-old girls and boys with ADHD based on DSM-V referred to child and adolescent psychiatrists' clinics. Selected children were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received an individual combined intervention of play therapy and storytelling, whereas the control group did not receive any therapeutic intervention for social skills at that time and was on the waiting list. The research tool was the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), and data were computer-analyzed using SPSS-20 and a couple of descriptive and analytic tests including ANCOVA.

RESULTS:

In this study, 30 children with ADHD were included. The combined intervention of play therapy and storytelling has had a significant effect on post-test results of ADHD patients in terms of social skills as well as all test subscales (P < 0/05). There was a significant improvement in the subscales of self-expression, self-control, responsibility, and cooperation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Results show promise for combined play therapy and storytelling intervention to enhance the social skills of elementary school children diagnosed with ADHD.
The effects of using the nurse self-concept mobile application on the retention of nursing students
Authors: Badiyepeymaiejahromi Zohreh , Bijani Mostafa , Taghizadeganzadeh Mahboobeh , Tehranineshat Banafsheh
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

The high dropout rate among nursing students has become a global concern as it leads to a shortage of nurses on the one hand and a negative impact on the professional motivation of nursing students on the other. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of using the Nurse Self-Concept Mobile Application (NSCMA) on the retention of nursing students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study is an experimental work of research with a longitudinal design conducted from April to December 2021. The study population was second-year nursing students in a nursing school in the south of Iran who were randomly divided into an experimental (n= 49) and a control group (n= 50). The assessment was based on a pretest–posttest design and a one-month follow-up. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 21 using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (repeated measures). ThePvalue was set <0.05.

RESULTS:

The means of the students' ages and grades were 21.31 ± 2.43 and 15.30 ± 2.13, respectively. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the experimental group's intent-to-stay mean scores as measured in three stages (P= 0.029), indicating that the intervention enhanced the nursing students' inclination to stay in nursing programs. However, the changes in the control group's mean scores were not statistically significant (P= 0.132).

CONCLUSION:

The Nurse Self-Concept Mobile Application proved effective in enhancing nursing students' inclination to complete their education and follow a career as a nurse. Thus, it is essential that nursing students' education include programs designed to enhance the students' self-concept, especially in the first few years of their education. Also, nursing schools should use this software to encourage students to stay in the nursing major.
Use of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) model in virtual education development in first macro-region universities of medical sciences in countrywide territorial planning
Authors: Pouladi Ensieh , Taghvaee Yazdi Maryam , Salehi Mohammad , Moradi Siavash
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Massive online open cources (MOOCs) are a new chapter in the topic of teaching–learning in higher education, which have been able to acquire a significant and valuable position in higher education and prestigious universities worldwide in line with the advancement of technology. The present study was conducted pursuing the goal to investigating the effect of use of MOOCs in the development of virtual education in universities of medical sciences in the first macro-region of countrywide territorial planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This research is based on a mixed method and practical in terms of purpose, and it was carried out in 2021 and 2022 in first macro-region of countrywide regional planning Medical Sciences Universities. The data of the qualitative section were converted into a questionnaire using the method of qualitative content analysis in a purposeful and semi-structured interview with 24 experts in the field of virtual education who had sufficient experience in the field of MOOC courses. The statistical population of the quantitative section is 1938 faculty members of the first macro-region of countrywide regional planning, of which 324 were selected by stratified random sampling. Its validity was calculated by Lawshe and Waltz–Bausell method by R software, and the reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha method with SPSS-21.

RESULTS:

Universities are facing challenges in structural, managerial, cultural, social, technological, and evaluation dimensions, and the current situation of using MOOCs in them is not appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

Besides, the analysis of the optimal situation of using MOOCs in these universities indicates that technological, structural, managerial, evaluation, educational, and personal dimensions are the most important in the effect of using MOOCs on the development of virtual education.
Conceptual explanation of adolescents' media health literacy: A qualitative content analysis
Authors: Daneshvar Samira , Ghaffari Mohtasham , Ramazankhani Ali , Marashi Tayebeh
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

The high use of media among adolescents is involved in negative social and health consequences. Therefore, it is critical that adolescents acquire the skills to interact with media content in a healthy way. This study aimed to identify the dimensions and concept of media health literacy (MHL) among adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this qualitative study, specialists (n = 19) in the field of health education and promotion, as well as a wide range of activists in the field of media and communication and adolescents (n = 20), who met the inclusion criteria were participated in this study. Participants were recruited by purposive sampling. Exploratory, open-ended, and face-to-face interviews based on the interview guide were used to elicit participants' perspectives from October 2021 to May 2022 in Tehran, Iran. The interviews were analyzed by content analysis using the inductive method and MAXQDA 2020.

RESULTS:

A total of eight health education and promotion specialists (20.51%), nine media and communication specialists (23.07%), two software and programming instructors (5.12%), and 20 adolescents (51.28%) were included in the study. Analysis of qualitative data led to the identification of five categories (media literacy (ML), health literacy (HL), media reference, interactive communication literacy, and basic literacy (BL)) and 25 subcategories.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings provide a deep understanding of the concept and domains of MHL. Based on the results, MHL can be defined as a set of knowledge and individual skills needed in the fields of ML, HL, interactive communication literacy, media reference, and BL, which help achieve the appropriate state of MHL among adolescents and its improvement. It is hoped that these findings are used to guide the development of interventions for MHL.
Maternal-infant outcomes of birth planning: A review study
Authors: Kohan Shahnaz , Hajihashemi Maryam , Valiani Mahboubeh , Beigi Marjan , Mohebbi-Dehnavi Zahra
Published: October 2023

The birth and delivery plan is the center of clinical communication between the pregnant woman and the midwife, which is in the scope of health care services and is designed and provided to specialists with the participation of the woman and her husband during pregnancy. This document reflects the preferences, expectations, and fears of pregnant women regarding the birth process. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the maternal and neonatal outcomes of the birth plan: a review study. In this review study, Persian databases Magiran, SID, and English databases Pubmed, Scopus, SID Elsevier, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar search engine using English keywords including Maternal outcome, neonatal outcome, birth schedule, delivery plan, birth plan, and their Persian equivalents were searched from 2000 to 2022. Numerous studies were selected and analyzed in a quantitative and qualitative manner that was related to the purpose of the present study in terms of content. Among 948 articles, 13 of the most relevant ones were selected and analyzed for this study. The results of the review of the studies showed that the birth plan has an effect on women's empowerment, satisfaction with childbirth, positive experience of childbirth, cesarean section rate, epidural use rate, episiotomy rate, Apgar, and umbilical cord pH of the newborn. The maternal and neonatal consequences of the birth plan prevail over its negative consequences, and the use of the birth plan can increase women's empowerment, satisfaction with childbirth, positive experience of childbirth, and reduce the rate of cesarean section and negative maternal-neonatal consequences.
Understanding the experiences of helplessness, fatigue and coping strategies among women seeking treatment for infertility – A qualitative study
Authors: Sambasivam Indra , Jennifer H. Gladius
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Infertility impacts families and communities worldwide, affecting millions of people of reproductive age. The fertility rate in India is alarming. Fertility is valued in the majority of cultures, and having children is a fundamental motivation. The frustration and anger of an infertile woman affect her family, friends, and even her husband. This study aims to assess the factors that contribute to helplessness, fatigue, and coping strategies among women with infertility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

An in-depth interview was conducted among ten participants, to collect information about the challenges faced by women experiencing infertility. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique and they had at least 1 year of experience with infertility. A phenomenological study was utilized and themes and sub-themes were developed. Data was collected by using a list of probing open-ended questions and analyzed by colaizzi method.

RESULTS:

Women receiving infertility treatment over a long period of time disclosed that they are dealing with stressful situations in their lives. The experience left them feeling helpless in some stressful conditions. Due to a lack of both financial and emotional support from their family, when they are helpless, they are too worn out to continue their treatment. Some of these women are using different coping strategies to overcome their problems. We found seven common themes from this in-depth interview; 1) Lack of hope and support, 2) Spiritual resources, 3) Negative thoughts, 4) Social abstain, 5) Mental engagement, 6) Emotional concealment, and 7) Coping strategies.

CONCLUSION:

This study provides social, emotion and spiritual condition of infertile women in society. The majority of these women struggle with having negative thoughts due to a lack of support, concern, and involvement from their families. These results highlight the need to promote coping strategies, importance of financial and emotional support from the family members.
Perception, satisfaction, and self-regulation in a blended learning environment during COVID-19 pandemic among health sciences students: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Thapa Naina , Lobo Daisy J. , Pai Radhika R.
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted the health status of the people and the education of the students affecting their learning process and performance in examinations. Blended learning (hybrid learning) has evolved as one of the convenient and innovative methods of using technologies with the integration of traditional methods, significantly when face-to-face interaction is compromised. This study aimed to assess perception, satisfaction, and self-regulatory learning behaviors among undergraduate health sciences students.

METHODS AND MATERIAL:

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 550 undergraduate students. The tools used for data collection were demographic proforma, perception scale, satisfaction questionnaire, and self-regulation learning scale, which were self-report questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation and Chi-square test.

RESULTS:

About 378 (68.7%) out of 550 students preferred traditional face-to-face learning before the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 276 (50.2%) students chose blended learning after the pandemic. About 424 (77.1%) perceived blended learning positively, 267 (48.5%) were moderately satisfied, and 377 (68.5%) of the students had moderate self-regulation in blended learning. The study revealed a strong, positive relationship, between perception (r = 0.817, P < 0.001), satisfaction (r = 0.710, P < 0.001), and self-regulation (r = 0.722, P < 0.001) in the blended mode of learning. Age, course, year of study, and preference of learning mode were significantly associated with perception, satisfaction, and self-regulation in blended learning at P < 0.05. However, perception, satisfaction, and self-regulation among students did not differ according to gender and students' previous exposure to a blended mode of learning at P > 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS:

To implement innovative pedagogical techniques using improvised technological assistance in teaching and learning, building up an effective blended learning environment within every institution is essential.
The effect of virtual reality exposure therapy on focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias in university students with social anxiety
Authors: Ghasempeyvandi Monir , Torkan Hajar
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

The present research aims to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy on the focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias among university students with social anxiety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present research was conducted using quasi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test control group design. The participants were university students aged between 10 and 30 years old who had visited Isfahan counseling centers in 1399 HS. Among 53 patients referred to the counseling centers, 30 were randomly selected by convenience sampling and then assigned to an experimental group (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental group received eight sessions of 30-minute and face-to-face virtual reality-based interventions. In contrast, the control group remained on the waiting list. A structured clinical interview and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) were used to select and screen students, and the Focus of Attention Questionnaire (FAQ), Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (LOSC), and revised interpretation bias inventory were applied for the pre-test and the post-test. Then, all the data were analyzed by a statistical analysis of covariance.

RESULTS:

The results showed that virtual reality exposure therapy significantly reduces the symptoms of the focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias in the experimental group compared to the control group. (P< 0/01).

CONCLUSION:

The research showed that virtual reality exposure therapy reduced the symptoms of social anxiety. Therefore, this method can be applied to reduce some symptoms of social anxiety in university students.
Comparison of social isolation in autistic children and adolescents according to age, marital status and number of siblings
Authors: Gómez-Campos Rossana , Vidal Espinoza Rubén , Castro-Fuentes Claudia , Flores-Vergara Sebastian , Gálvez-Zurita Julissa , Urra-Albornoz Camilo , De la Torre Choque Christian , Bolaños Marco Cossio
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties that limit their opportunities to interact with peers and family members. These behaviors can lead to social exclusion, and consequently social isolation. The aim was to compare social isolation of children and adolescents with ASD according to age, marital status, and number of siblings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Cross-sectional descriptive study in 37 subjects with ASD. Social isolation was assessed using a 6-item scale (with five alternatives). The sociodemographic variables were age, sex, marital status of parents, and number of siblings. Two groups were formed according to age (children from 4 to 10 years old and adolescents from 11 to 20 years old).

RESULTS:

For the total score of the social isolation scale, children showed a higher score (21.1 ± 4.7) than adolescents (17.7 ± 5.7). Children living with divorced parents had lower scores (16.2 ± 3.6), compared to married (22.2 ± 4.5) and cohabiting (22.8) children. For the number of siblings, with no siblings 17.2 ± 3.1 points, one sibling 22.2 ± 3.5 points, two siblings 22.1 ± 3.1 points, and three siblings 22.4 ± 3.2 points (P < 0.05). Age was related to social isolation (r = −0.30, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Children who live with divorced parents and have no siblings presented a higher degree of isolation in relation to their counterparts who live with both parents and have at least one sibling. Age plays a relevant role, with children aged 4–10 years presenting a lower degree of isolation than the adolescent group. It is suggested that the preservation of a functional family and the presence of siblings could contribute to improving social isolation.
Nurses' perception and self-confidence of family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhofaian Aisha , Almuntashiri Safiah Mesfer , Bamufleh Manar Hisham , Al-Faraj Shimaa Ahmad , Alharbi Salma Abed , Tunsi Afnan , Alaamri Marym M.
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Researchers have investigated the presence of families during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to determine its benefits and barriers and the points of view of healthcare professionals, patients, and families. Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) is debatable. Many professional health organizations worldwide, such as the Emergency Nurses Association, have suggested that healthcare facilities implement rules and policies that encourage the attendance of families and relatives during CPR. However, this does not consider the nurses' points of view or self-confidence during FPDR. The main aim of this study is to evaluate nurses' perceptions and self-confidence related to family presence during CPR in Saudi Arabia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This descriptive correlation study was conducted between March and April 2022 at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah. A survey was completed by participants to collect their sociodemographic data. The relationship between Family Presence Risk-Benefit Scale (FPS-BS) and the Family Presence Self-Confidence Scale (FPS-CS) was analyzed using Pearson's correlation test.

RESULTS:

The study's participants consisted of 147 nurses. Regarding the FPDR, nurses had a moderately positive perception and level of confidence. Moreover, the level of self-confidence varied significantly by age group and years of experience. The results of the Pearson correlation indicated that there was a significant association between FPS-CS and FPR-BS (r = 0.221, P < .001). When implementing FPDR, nurses who see more benefits from it are more confident.

CONCLUSION:

According to the findings, the nurses who felt more comfortable including patients' families in resuscitation efforts also saw FPDR as having more advantages. FPDR has several effects on the healthcare team providing CPR. Nursing leaders should develop policies for their teams and instruct nurses and other healthcare professionals. Considering the clear benefits of clinical practice and family involvement in resuscitation, it is suggested to give this experience first using simulation and role-playing.