bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of educational intervention in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in patients with hypertension with application of health belief model: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Mohammadkhah Fatemeh , Shamsalinia Abbas , Rajabi Fatemeh , Afzali Hasirini Pooyan , Khani Jeihooni Ali
Published: November 2023

Background

The best methods for preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases are preventive behaviours.

Aim

The purpose of the current study is to ascertain how educational intervention affects cardiovascular disease prevention.

Methods

The current investigation is a quasi-experimental study conducted in Shiraz, Iran, in the year 2022, focusing on 200 hypertension patients (by sample random sampling) that were divided into two groups: a control group consisting of 100 participants (63 males and 37 females) and an intervention group also consisting of 100 participants (58 males and 42 females). The data collection instrument comprises inquiries pertaining to demographic factors as well as constructs of the health belief model (HBM) and preventive behaviours for cardiovascular diseases. The participants in both groups completed the questionnaire prior to and three months after the intervention. The intervention group underwent a total of six training sessions, each lasting 55 min.

Results

The results showed that after the intervention, the intervention group showed a significant increase in all cues of the HBM model except for the perceived barriers. Following a period of three months subsequent to the educational intervention, the experimental group also exhibited a notable reduction in blood pressure in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion

The findings of the study indicate that the utilisation of the HBM demonstrated positive outcomes in facilitating the promotion of cardiovascular disease prevention among patients diagnosed with hypertension. The promotion of health among individuals with high blood pressure can be both beneficial and feasible. Moreover, this particular model can be utilised as a comprehensive framework for the development, execution, and evaluation of advantageous and effective healthcare initiatives.
Treated versus self-reported prevalence of chronic pain and costs of patients’ health services utilization: a population-based study of health administrative databases
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Xuan , Lopatina Elena , Montgomery Lori S , Robert Magali , Tanguay Robert L , Wasylak Tracy
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To compare treated to self-reported prevalence of chronic pain (CP) and to estimate health services utilization (HSU) costs of patients treated for CP in Alberta, Canada.

Methods

Patients treated for CP were identified by the physician billing codes of health services for CP from the practitioner claims database in fiscal year 2021/22. The treated prevalence of CP (number of these patients divided by the population) was compared to the self-reported prevalence of CP previously estimated (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272638). Costs of patients’ HSU included costs for general practitioner (GP), specialist, inpatient, emergency department, outpatient clinic services, and prescription drugs.

Results

The treated prevalence of CP was 6.0% (4.4% among males and 7.8% among females) which was 30% to 41% of the self-reported prevalence. The highest treated prevalence (7.2%) was found in the age group of 18–64 years, followed by age groups of >64 years (7.0%) and <18 years (2.1%). The average cost per patient per year was $5096 ($5878 for males and $4652 for females), of which hospitalizations accounted for 65.0%, outpatient clinic visits 16.4%, ED visits 9.5%, prescription drugs 4.7%, GP visits 3.9%, and specialist visits 0.4%. The total cost of patients with CP for the health system was $1.37 billion (∼7% of total health expenditure), of which males accounted for 41.7% and females for 58.3%.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that the economic burden of CP is considerable and that many people with self-reported CP do not use the public healthcare services. This can be multifactorial, including lack of availability and accessibility of publicly funded services, people’s lack of awareness of available services, lower utilization due to COVID-19 pandemic, and reliance on self-management, private services, and alternative treatments. Further studies are warranted to inform future policies and health system initiatives aiming to reduce the burden of CP and improve lives of people living with it.
Big data for official migration statistics: Evidence from 29 national statistical institutions
Authors: Ahmad Yar Ahmad Wali , Bircan Tuba
Published: November 2023

International migration statistics suffer from extensive gaps and shortcomings. Recently, national statistical institutions (NSIs) have started using big data to complement traditional statistics, including on migration. Although these are promising developments, we still lack answers on the extent to which NSIs are currently using big data for migration and to what extent it complements the gaps in traditional data. We gathered data by interviewing experts from 29 NSIs to investigate how big data is used for official migration statistics. We show that 15 out of 29 NSIs either used big data for migration, had a pilot project or have been involved in joint initiatives. We reveal the specific implications of big data in human migration (e.g. internal mobility, stocks, flows and mobility patterns, among others and the most common sources used to extract official statistics). Moreover, we discuss the challenges and barriers preventing NSIs from using such data. Factors deterring countries from utilising big data include limited data accessibility, an absence of legal frameworks for big data usage, ethical concerns, the possession of already high-quality data, a deficit in expertise and methodologies and a lack of perceived necessity for supplementary data or approaches. Moreover, many countries did not know which data to use and were concerned about the quality and accuracy of such data. Legal barriers were more of an issue than the ethical aspects, and overall, participating countries believe that there is a high potential for big data in the future.
Mask R-CNN based multiclass segmentation model for endotracheal intubation using video laryngoscope
Authors: Choi Seung Jae , Kim Dae Kon , Kim Byeong Soo , Cho Minwoo , Jeong Joo , Jo You Hwan , Song Kyoung Jun , Kim Yu Jin , Kim Sungwan
Published: November 2023

Objective

Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is critical to secure the airway in emergent situations. Although artificial intelligence algorithms are frequently used to analyze medical images, their application to evaluating intraoral structures based on images captured during emergent ETI remains limited. The aim of this study is to develop an artificial intelligence model for segmenting structures in the oral cavity using video laryngoscope (VL) images.

Methods

From 54 VL videos, clinicians manually labeled images that include motion blur, foggy vision, blood, mucus, and vomitus. Anatomical structures of interest included the tongue, epiglottis, vocal cord, and corniculate cartilage. EfficientNet-B5 with DeepLabv3+, EffecientNet-B5 with U-Net, and Configured Mask R-Convolution Neural Network (CNN) were used; EffecientNet-B5 was pretrained on ImageNet. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to measure the segmentation performance of the model. Accuracy, recall, specificity, and F1 score were used to evaluate the model's performance in targeting the structure from the value of the intersection over union between the ground truth and prediction mask.

Results

The DSC of tongue, epiglottis, vocal cord, and corniculate cartilage obtained from the EfficientNet-B5 with DeepLabv3+, EfficientNet-B5 with U-Net, and Configured Mask R-CNN model were 0.3351/0.7675/0.766/0.6539, 0.0/0.7581/0.7395/0.6906, and 0.1167/0.7677/0.7207/0.57, respectively. Furthermore, the processing speeds (frames per second) of the three models stood at 3, 24, and 32, respectively.

Conclusions

The algorithm developed in this study can assist medical providers performing ETI in emergent situations.
Organizational readiness and rehabilitation professionals’ views on integrating telerehabilitation into service delivery and students’ clinical training: A qualitative study
Authors: Nizeyimana Eugene , Joseph Conran , Louw Quinette A
Published: November 2023

Objective

To assess the readiness of healthcare institutions that serve as clinical platforms for Stellenbosch University’ rehabilitation students, and to explore the opinions of rehabilitation professionals regarding the integration of telerehabilitation (TR) into service delivery and students clinical training.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative research design and involved the participation of fourteen rehabilitation managers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using both face-to-face and online platforms. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the collected data.

Results

The readiness for implementing TR services varies across different dimensions. Facilities faced challenges related to funding for TR equipment and the absence of policies and guidelines, indicating a lack of financial and governance readiness. Rehabilitation professionals demonstrated high attitudinal readiness but low technical readiness due to a lack of knowledge and skills. Rehabilitation students particularly lacked practical experience, confidence, clinical reasoning and decision-making skills further contributing to low technical readiness.

Conclusion

Health care institutions are generally not ready for a successful implementation of TR. To improve the readiness, senior management should actively participate and provide financial support, develop policies, guidelines and training programs for rehabilitation professionals. Educational institutions should incorporate TR program into curricula to prepare students to gain practical experience and familiarity with the use of TR technology for their future clinical practice.
Changing fertility patterns in China
Authors: Chen Wei
Published: November 2023

China's recent fertility data collected from the 2020 population census and 2017 fertility survey have considerably improved in quality. Based on these, we can assess the levels and patterns of fertility with high confidence. We reconstruct China's fertility history from 1990 using these two types of data and review the trends and characteristics of fertility transitions and changing fertility patterns in China. Over the past half century, China has experienced an extraordinary fertility transition and decline, which can be described as three stepwise downward jumps in fertility that occurred in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2010s. While the tempo effect has always depressed fertility, the quantum effect became positive in the most recent fertility decline, when China made successive adjustments to its fertility policy. Age, parity, and interval patterns of fertility in China have also undergone fundamental changes influenced by changing fertility policies and rapidly expanding higher education. The recent rapid decline in fertility is driven by the increasing postponement of marriage, a large reduction in fertility for lower education groups, and a rising proportion of younger women accessing higher education.
Bringing the Politics of Climate Change Down to Earth: Student Descriptions of Dwelling Place and “Geo-Graphies” as Alternative Belongings
Authors: Jeong Sophia , Silverman Elena H.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study draws on Bruno Latour's work, Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime, to re-imagine issues of climate change in K-12 science teaching and learning. “Re-turning” to a dwelling place can become an investigation, while issues of gender, race, education, food, technology, and religion can be elicited in relation to climate change issues. This allows students to be able to map a political “geo-graphy” that would be meaningful and matter to them.

Design/Approach/Methods

We apply Latour's concepts of dwelling place and geo-graphies in the teaching and learning of climate change in the secondary science classroom. Our Latourian inquiry questioned, “How do students’ up-close and local-level descriptions of their dwelling place create geo-graphies that foster their understanding of the shared, inhabitable Earth and imagine an alternative way of belonging to the Earth?”

Findings

By re-orienting students’ thinking to be more inclusive about who has the capacity to act, we aim to make the issues of climate change local and relevant in students’ everyday lives.

Originality/Value

We respond to Latour's call to conceive of alternative ways of belonging to and inhabiting this world that are more ethical and responsible.
Alternative Conceptions About Climate Change in a Group of Teachers in Chile: Are Science Teachers More Knowledgeable Than Non-Science Teachers?
Authors: Abasto Verónica , Larraín Antonia , Vergara Claudia , Cofré Hernán
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the knowledge and alternative conceptions of climate change in a group of Chilean science and non-science teachers with different teaching experiences.

Design/Approach/Methods

The study used a quantitative approach with an exploratory, descriptive, and transversal design, in which a Climate Change Questionnaire was applied to a group of 64 pre-service and in-service teachers.

Findings

The results demonstrated that the whole group of teachers had moderate knowledge about climate change, presenting some alternative conceptions, such as confusion about greenhouse gases, solar radiation, and the false relationship between ozone layer thinning and the greenhouse effect. There was no difference in climate change knowledge between science and non-science teachers or among teachers with different teaching experiences.

Originality/Value

This is the first research work published in an international journal on the knowledge of climate change by a group of teachers in Chile (and Latin America); therefore, it is an original contribution to the literature about climate change education. Furthermore, we tested hypotheses regarding the effects of experience and scientific background on teachers’ knowledge of climate change.
Clinical Utility of an AI-powered, Handheld Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy Device on the Diagnosis and Management of Skin Cancer by Primary Care Physicians
Authors: Jaklitsch Erik , Thames Todd , de Campos Silva Thomaz , Coll Patrick , Oliviero Margaret , Ferris Laura Korb
Published: November 2023

Background:

Patients with lesions suspicious for skin cancer often present to primary care physicians (PCPs), who may have limited training in skin cancer diagnosis.

Objective:

To measure the impact of an adjunctive handheld device for PCPs that employs elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) on the diagnosis and management of skin cancer.

Methods:

Fifty-seven PCPs evaluated 50 clinical images of skin lesions (25 malignant and 25 benign), first without and then with knowledge of the handheld ESS device output, and in each case indicated if a lesion was likely to be benign or malignant.

Results:

The diagnostic sensitivity of the PCPs with and without the use of the ESS device was 88% (95% CI, 84%-92%) and 67% (95% CI, 62%-72%), respectively ( P < .0001). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in the diagnostic specificity. The management sensitivity of the physicians with and without the use of the ESS device was 94% (95% CI, 91%-96%) and 81% (95% CI, 77%-85%), respectively ( P = .0009). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the management specificity.

Conclusion:

The use of the ESS device may have the potential to help improve skin cancer diagnosis and confidence in management decision-making in a primary care setting.
Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions in Primary Care: Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis Treatment Strategies
Authors: Meier Mackenzi , Pierce Kristen , Musgrove Rachel , Holmes Zachary , Harris Akeia , Veronica Asuquo Ndifreke , Macias-Moriarity Lilia Z. , Woodhouse Ashley
Published: November 2023

Background:

The highest prescribing rates for antibiotics occur in primary care, therefore, ambulatory care pharmacist interventions could play a major role in preventing overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Delegated pharmacists in the SJC primary care setting guided 3 activities with a goal of positively impacting prescribing patterns: monthly webinars provided by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), quarterly reporting to physicians of antibiotic prescribing patterns, and development of a clinical decision-making support tool for antibiotic prescribing.

Methods:

Retrospective, observational data was collected to evaluate antibiotic prescribing patterns in patients diagnosed with acute sinusitis both before initiatives were implemented (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020) and after the initiatives were implemented (April 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022).

Results:

A total of 675 patients were diagnosed with acute bacterial sinusitis during the specified time frame. Of these, 138 patients were excluded. A total of 279 antibiotics were prescribed in the preintervention group out of 298 patient encounters (93.6%) and 225 antibiotics were prescribed in the post-intervention group out of 244 patient encounters (92.9%) ( p = .26). Although the primary outcome was not statistically significant, a significant reduction in patients treated with fluoroquinolones was noted, with 59/298 (20%) of those being prescribed in the pre-intervention group and 20/244 (8%) in the post intervention group ( P = .02).

Conclusions:

While pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship interventions in primary care did not result in a decrease in the overall prescription of antibiotics for acute sinusitis, our study did reveal a notable reduction in the use of fluoroquinolones. This finding highlights a promising avenue for expanding the role of ambulatory care pharmacists.
Invited Commentary: Notwithstanding the Significance of Anatomy in Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery, Physiology Is Important, Too
Authors: DeCampli William M.
Published: November 2023

The management strategies for anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) are based on anatomy, symptoms, and stress tests for evidence of ischemia. These strategies remain associated with low levels of evidence. Stress tests for ischemia or ventricular dysfunction, the only widely used physiological tests, are not adequately reliable. Additional physiological metrics are needed to build reliable strategies. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) are physiological measurements that are used in assessing acquired coronary artery disease (CAD). In this commentary, we describe FFR and iFR and review studies supporting their utility in assessing CAD. We describe a few small studies of their use in assessing AAOCA. Finally, we comment on the unique features of AAOCA that mandate further investigation on how to conduct and interpret FFR/iFR measurements. Even at a point where we understand how to do this, determining the effectiveness of these measurements in improving outcomes and guiding management will require lengthy and challenging trials. A collective effort of institutions that manage AAOCA will be essential.
Exploring the Relationships Among Bias-Based Bullying, Fear, and School Avoidance in a National Sample of U.S. Adolescents: The Role of School Counselors
Authors: Joo HyunGyung , Kim So Rin , Gilfillan Beth H.
Published: November 2023

This study examined the associations among experiencing bias-based bullying on multiple social identities, fear, and school avoidance. The sample included 1177 adolescents who experienced bullying in a nationally representative dataset. Results indicated that 42% of students who were bullied reported that this was due to biases. We found a significant moderating effect of bias-based bullying between fear and school avoidance. We present suggestions for school counselors, including multitiered systems of support and trauma-informed approaches.
Associations between small-area sociodemographic characteristics and intimate partner violence in Montréal, Québec
Authors: Rodrigues Paul , Fernet Mylène , Cousineau Marie-Marthe , Philibert Mathieu
Published: November 2023

Background:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects many individuals and can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. In order to inform prevention strategies, several studies have focused on the determinants of IPV. However, knowledge on the association between neighbourhood characteristics and IPV remains scarce. The social disorganization theory posits that certain neighbourhood characteristics are associated with violent behaviours. This theory has been used to explain spatial variations in IPV, but most studies have been conducted in the United States. Little is known about the effect of neighbourhood factors in urban contexts outside of the United States.

Design and methods:

Using police data from 2016 and 2017, this study estimated the association between sociodemographic characteristics of neighbourhoods (socioeconomic status, single-parenthood, residential instability and ethnocultural heterogeneity) and IPV victimization in Montréal, Québec.

Results:

Results suggest a neighbourhood-level variation in IPV, and that neighbourhood-level characteristics are associated with IPV victimization. Specifically, the likelihood of IPV is higher in neighbourhoods with the lowest SES level (OR = 2.80, 95%CI: 2.47–3.17, p < 0.001) and the lowest level of residential instability (OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.70–0.93, p = 0.003) as well as the highest proportion of single-parent households (OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.65–2.15, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Although neighbourhood-level interventions to reduce IPV are rare, our results highlight the importance of developing such preventive strategies. Prevention programs targeting high-risk neighbourhoods may prove effective in reducing IPV.
Do Items Addressing Thoughts and Emotions Regarding Symptoms Measure Distinct Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health?
Authors: Ramtin Sina , Reichel Lee , Ring David , Gallagher Sean , Teunis Teun
Published: November 2023

A prior experiment identified separate thought and feeling item groupings among items in measures of unhelpful thinking (ie, catastrophic thinking, kinesiophobia). This study sought to confirm the utility of separating these factors using a subset of selected items. One hundred and thirty-six adult patients visiting a musculoskeletal specialist completed the surveys. Confirmatory factor analysis measured the association between variation in scores on a specific item with variation in scores in separate groupings for thoughts and feelings, and a combined item grouping. Cronbach alpha (internal consistency) and Spearman correlation with magnitude of capability were also measured for the three separate item groupings. The association of variation in specific items with variation in a group of items addressing thoughts, a group of items addressing feelings, and the combination of all items was comparable. The internal consistency and strength of association with magnitude of capability were also comparable. The finding of no advantage to separation of items addressing thoughts and feelings regarding symptoms suggests that just a few items may be able to represent unhealthy mindsets regarding musculoskeletal symptoms.
Patient Experience in Adjunct Controller-Free Hand Tracking Virtual Reality Tasks for Upper-Limb Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation
Authors: Mc Kittrick Andrea , Desselle Mathilde R , Padilha Lanari Bo Antonio , Zhang Bianca , Laracy Sue , Tornatore Giovanna
Published: November 2023

Benefits of immersive virtual reality rehabilitation (VRR) include increased motivation and improved transfer of skills to real-world tasks. The introduction of Oculus hand-tracking technology allowed for the development of VRR games that do not need virtual reality (VR) hand controllers. This is beneficial as participants with upper limb impairments/injuries may have difficulties with/be limited in using/manipulating VR hand controllers. In this project, a VRR game was developed and evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine patient experience when using VRR as an adjunct to upper-limb rehabilitation. N  =  20 participants receiving upper limb rehabilitation completed a series of VRR tasks by playing the “smoothie bar” VRR game. After the completion of the VRR tasks, the participant experience was evaluated via a study-specific questionnaire. Key findings include 95% agreement that VRR tasks were fun and engaging and 75% agreed that VR tasks will be helpful to include in their rehabilitation. Hands-tracking VRR has a high potential to be used as an adjunct intervention in upper limb rehabilitation.
Managing in Critical Care Settings: A Qualitative Study of South African Nurse Unit Managers and the Psychological Contract
Authors: Ronnie Linda
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Little is written about the management of psychological contracts by nurse unit managers (NUMs) in critical care settings and how this perspective contributes to the performance, experiences, and views of nurses and nursing teams. Psychological contracts are important regulators of the employer–employee relationship, with managers (NUMs) being the embodiment of the employer in managing the contract.

Objectives

This qualitative study answers a call for research on the NUM perspective of the psychological contract given the role they play in the wellbeing of critical care nurses and quality of care provided. The study aims to understand the expectations and obligations that constitute the psychological contract NUMs have with their nursing teams, the nature of the contract, and how NUMs practically manage these aspects on their teams.

Methods

Using an interpretive qualitative research design and a purposive sampling technique, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 of the 14 NUMs from a public health facility about critical incidents relating to their obligations and expectations of managing critical care nurses.

Results

A thematic analysis of their responses revealed five main themes that represent the contents of their psychological contracts with critical care nurses: professional commitment and obligation; leading by example; trust and support; teamwork; and on-the-job training and further development. In their discussion of these components, the NUMs also revealed how they manage the psychological contract with nurses.

Conclusion

Based on the expectations and obligations NUMs hold with their staff, their psychological contracts were found to be largely relational, with elements of the balanced type, suggesting that they rely on interpersonal connection and coordination, as well as knowledge dissemination, to uphold the contract. This contract appears to be effective in inculcating the commitment of nurses to their profession and professional standards through the building of trust and offering of support. However, recommendations are offered to ensure NUMs are best prepared to sustain these psychological contracts and continue to support nurse wellbeing and related patient care.
Visualizing the Evolution of Discourse in Cannabis Ballot Initiatives
Authors: Vann Burrel
Published: November 2023

The past decade has seen numerous efforts to enact cannabis policy reform at the state level. This visualization captures discursive shifts in statewide ballot initiatives devoted to legalizing cannabis for recreational use between 2012 and 2022. The topics discussed in ballot initiatives exhibited substantial variability over time, with discussions of drug use consequences and legislative processes becoming more dominant in later years. The evolution of discourse in ballot initiatives has important implications for our understanding of the impact of language on support for policy change.
Recent developments in the research and digitalization of Jurchen script and literature
Authors: Ma Xiaofang
Published: November 2023

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research and advancements in Jurchen language and literature since the 20th century. Recent discoveries of multiple Jurchen inscriptions and documents, including the inscription found in Shenmu County and the Arkhara River basin, have presented new sources for the study of Jurchen language and script. Progress in the study of Jurchen language and script has been relatively slow, with major accomplishments made in fields such as the Jurchen phonetic system, interpretation of individual words, and comparative analysis between Jurchen and Manchu languages. In addition, the digitalization of Jurchen script and documents has seen some advancement, including the development of Unicode encoding for Jurchen script and the creation of standard Jurchen characters.
The Epidemiology of Facial Injury on the Far Side of the COVID-19 Pandemic Curve: What Happened After the Repeal of Social Distancing Laws?
Authors: Hoffman Gary R. , Kelly Sophie K. M. , (Mark) Tsai Hao-Hsuan
Published: November 2023

Background:

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the widespread imposition of social distancing and lockdown orders had an unintended secondary effect on reducing and changing the characteristics of facial injury presentations to tertiary referral hospitals. As the pandemic curve plateaued and indeed fell, these restrictions were periodically repealed, engendering an anticipated rise in the frequency facial injuries.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the frequency and characteristics of facial injury presentations to our tertiary referral hospital returned to pre-COVID levels following the repeal of COVID-19 social distancing and lockdown laws on the far side of the pandemic curve.

Methods:

The authors designed and implemented a retrospective study of patients who sustained a facial injury over 3 comparable 8-week periods in 2019 (pre-COVID), 2020 (COVID lockdown) and 2023 (post-repeal of COVID lockdown laws). The study was conducted in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at a level 1 tertiary referral regional trauma hospital in Newcastle, Australia.

Results:

The principal finding was an increase in facial injury frequency in the post-COVID cohort (n = 149), compared to the COVID lockdown (n = 37) and pre-COVID groups (n = 103). Across all 3 periods, males consistently outnumbered females, with a common peak in the 20 to 30 age group. Bony injuries predominated in all cohorts, with no difference in management approach. The leading cause of injury pre-COVID was interpersonal violence, which shifted to falls during lockdown and post-COVID. There was also an increase in workplace and animal-related injuries post-COVID.

Conclusion:

The frequency and characteristics of facial injury presentation finally stabilized and returned to pre-COVID levels following the repeal of social distancing laws. This was most notable as communities entered the far side of the pandemic curve. The findings are in keeping with a very small number of comparable studies sourced from literature.
Success and Challenges of Community Bicycle Advocacy Organizations in Reaching Underserved Populations
Authors: Elliott Lucas D. , Bopp Melissa
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Bicycling, as forms of recreation and travel, offers many positive physical and mental health benefits, though there are still many disparities in bicycling rates among underserved populations in the United States. Community bicycling advocacy organizations/coalitions promote and advocate for increased bicycling; however, have been shown to have a lack of organizational capacity for equitable programming to diverse populations (racial/ethnic minorities, women, low-income, LGBTQ+ communities, youth). The purpose of this study was to understand the current practices for providing underserved populations bicycling programming among advocacy organizations and to find major barriers and helpful tools for equitable programming.

Methods

This was conducted in a volunteer sample of U.S. bicycle advocacy organizations. An interview ( n = 23) assessed organizational function, successful programs, and barriers to reaching underserved populations.

Results

Several themes emerged from the interviews. Participants stated that the lack of organizational leadership and member diversity, along with a lack of trust with underserved communities, presented major barriers to providing equitable programming. Partnering with other community organizations that place an emphasis on serving diverse populations was noted to have potential for increasing successful programming by allocating resources and connections.

Conclusion

Although barriers exist for bicycle advocacy organizations when attempting to reach underserved and diverse populations, groups should focus on creating successful and diverse partnerships to increase the capacity for providing equitable programming.
Research-to-Resource: ChatGPT as a Tool in Music Education Research
Authors: Rohwer Debbie
Published: November 2023

In this research-to-resource article, I introduce possible uses of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI, for music education research settings. I discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence on education environments and highlight uses of ChatGPT as a tool, including the role of ChatGPT in information gathering, literature review assistance, research design conceptualization, statistical analysis support, research proposal review, and research publication support. I emphasize the importance of human expertise in filling knowledge gaps, detecting incomplete information, and using creative and critical thinking. While acknowledging concerns regarding ethics and plagiarism, I realize the unique qualities of human researchers and the need for purposeful mentoring and training on using artificial intelligence tools for appropriate tasks.
Exploring Leadership Communication Competencies, Within Health Care, That May Have Been Exacerbated by the Pandemic
Authors: Kallstrom Eric
Published: November 2023

Objective:

The aim was to explore the existence of health care leadership gaps in communication, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, by utilizing a qualitative research approach.

Materials and Methods:

Participants were recruited from a single professional organization. The volunteer leadership group was the frame for recruiting study participation. This work was conducted with a flexible research design method. A demographic survey, interview guide, and data triangulation survey were used to collect data from 21 participants over a four-week period. The participant responses were then analyzed through a process of coding and thematic analysis.

Results:

Five themes were generated from this cohort’s data, which alluded to gaps in leadership communication. These gaps occurred in the leader/employee relationship, at their respective institutions. Triangulation of the data from surveys underscored the presence of these communication gaps.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study may suggest the importance of a set of communication competencies for those in health care leadership, regardless of the complexities of a pandemic.
Hybrid Bt cotton is failing in India: cautions for Africa
Authors: Gutierrez Andrew Paul , Kenmore Peter E. , Ponti Luigi
Published: November 2023

This paper reviews the ongoing failure of hybrid transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton unique to India. The underlying cause for this failure is the high cost of hybrid seed that imposes a suboptimal long-season low plant density system that limits yield potential and has associated elevated levels of late-season pests. Indian hybrid Bt cotton production is further complicated by the development of resistance to Bt toxins in the key pest, the native pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders, PBW), resulting in increased insecticide use that induces ecological disruption and outbreaks of highly destructive secondary pests. Rainfed cotton production uncertainty is further exacerbated by the variable monsoon rains. While hybrid cotton produces fertile seed, the resulting plant phenotypes are highly variable preventing farmers from replanting saved seed, forcing them to buy seed yearly (i.e., market capture), and effectively protecting industry Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). The lessons gained from the ongoing market failure of hybrid Bt cotton in India are of utmost importance to its proposed introduction to Africa where, similar to India, cotton is grown mainly in poor rainfed smallholder family farms, and hence similar private–corporate conflicts of interest will occur. Holistic field agroecological studies and weather-driven mechanistic analyses are suggested to help foresee ecological and economic challenges in cotton production in Africa.

High-density short-season (HD-SS) non-hybrid non-genetically modified irrigated and rainfed cottons are viable alternatives for India that can potentially produce double the yields of the current low-density hybrid system.
Broodstock nutritional programming differentially affects the hepatic transcriptome and genome-wide DNA methylome of farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) depending on genetic background
Authors: Naya-Català F. , Belenguer A. , Montero D. , Torrecillas S. , Soriano B. , Calduch-Giner J. , Llorens C. , Fontanillas R. , Sarih S. , Zamorano M. J. , Izquierdo M. , Pérez-Sánchez J.
Published: November 2023

Background

Broodstock nutritional programming improves the offspring utilization of plant-based diets in gilthead sea bream through changes in hepatic metabolism. Attention was initially focused on fatty acid desaturases, but it can involve a wide range of processes that remain largely unexplored. How all this can be driven by a different genetic background is hardly underlined, and the present study aimed to assess how broodstock nutrition affects differentially the transcriptome and genome-wide DNA methylome of reference and genetically selected fish within the PROGENSA® selection program.

Results

After the stimulus phase with a low fish oil diet, two offspring subsets of each genetic background received a control or a FUTURE-based diet. This highlighted a different hepatic transcriptome (RNA-seq) and genome-wide DNA methylation (MBD-seq) pattern depending on the genetic background. The number of differentially expressed transcripts following the challenge phase varied from 323 in reference fish to 2,009 in genetically selected fish. The number of discriminant transcripts, and associated enriched functions, were also markedly higher in selected fish. Moreover, correlation analysis depicted a hyper-methylated and down-regulated gene expression state in selected fish with the FUTURE diet, whereas the opposite pattern appeared in reference fish. After filtering for highly represented functions in selected fish, 115 epigenetic markers were retrieved in this group. Among them, lipid metabolism genes (23) were the most reactive following ordering by fold-change in expression, rendering a final list of 10 top markers with a key role on hepatic lipogenesis and fatty acid metabolism (cd36, pitpna, cidea, fasn, g6pd, lipt1, scd1a, acsbg2, acsl14, acsbg2).

Conclusions

Gene expression profiles and methylation signatures were dependent on genetic background in our experimental model. Such assumption affected the magnitude, but also the type and direction of change. Thus, the resulting epigenetic clock of reference fish might depict an older phenotype with a lower methylation for the epigenetically responsive genes with a negative methylation-expression pattern. Therefore, epigenetic markers will be specific of each genetic lineage, serving the broodstock programming in our selected fish to prevent and mitigate later in life the risk of hepatic steatosis through changes in hepatic lipogenesis and fatty acid metabolism.
Isolation of a novel multiple-heavy metal resistant Lampropedia aestuarii GYF-1 and investigation of its bioremediation potential
Authors: Yu Lan , Zhang Tao , Yang Jiacheng , Zhang Rongfei , Zhou Junbo , Ding Fan , Shao Chaogang , Guo Rongkai
Published: November 2023

Background

Heavy metal contamination has been a severe worldwide environmental issue. For industrial pollutions, heavy metals rarely exist as singular entities. Hence, researches have increasingly focused on the detrimental effect of mixed heavy metal pollution. Genome analysis of Lampropedia strains predicted a repertoire of heavy metal resistance genes. However, we are still lack of experimental evidence regarding to heavy metal resistance of Lampropedia, and their potential in mixed heavy metal removal remain elusive.

Results

In this study, a Lampropedia aestuarii strain GYF-1 was isolated from soil samples near steel factory. Heavy metal tolerance assay indicated L. aestuarii GYF-1 possessed minimal inhibition values of 2 mM, 10 mM, 6 mM, 4 mM, 6 mM, 0.8 mM, and 4 mM for CdCl2, K2CrO4, CuCl2, NiCl2, Pb(CH3COO)2, ZnSO4, and FeCl2, respectively. The biosorption assay demonstrated its potential in soil remediation from mixed heavy metal pollution. Next the draft genome of L. aestuarii GYF-1 was obtained and annotated, which revealed strain GYF-1 are abundant in heavy metal resistance genes. Further evaluations on differential gene expressions suggested adaptive mechanisms including increased lipopolysaccharides level and enhanced biofilm formation.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated a newly isolated L. aestuarii GYF-1 exhibited mixed heavy metal resistance, which proven its capability of being a potential candidate strain for industrial biosorption application. Further genome analysis and differential gene expression assay suggest enhanced LPS and biofilm formation contributed to the adaptation of mixed heavy metals.
The DNA barcode identification of Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen and Dalbergia tonkinensis Prain
Authors: Wang Weijie , Chen Baixu , Ma Ruoke , Qiao Mengji , Fu Yunlin
Published: November 2023

Background

Dalbergia odorifera is a precious tree species with unique economic and medicinal values, which is difficult to distinguish from Dalbergia tonkinensis by traditional identification methods such as morphological characteristics and wood structure characteristics. It has been demonstrated that the identification of tree species can be effectively achieved using DNA barcoding, but there is a lack of study of the combined sequences used as DNA barcodes in the two tree species. In this study, 10 single sequences and 4 combined sequences were selected for analysis, and the identification effect of each sequence was evaluated by the distance-based method, BLAST-based search, character-based method, and tree-based method.

Results

Among the single sequences and the combined sequences, the interspecies distance of trnH-psbA and ITS2 + trnH-psbA was greater than the intraspecies distance, and there was no overlap in their frequency distribution plots. The results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for the interspecies distance of each sequence showed that the interspecies differences of the single sequences except trnL-trnF, trnH-psbA, and ycf3 were significantly smaller than those of the combined sequences. The results of BLAST analysis showed that trnH-psbA could accurately identify D. odorifera and D. tonkinensis at the species level. In the character-based method, single sequences of trnL-trnF, trnH-psbA with all the combined sequences can be used for the identification of D. odorifera and D. tonkinensis. In addition, the neighbor-joining (NJ) trees constructed based on trnH-psbA and ITS2 + trnH-psbA were able to cluster D. odorifera and D. tonkinensis on two clades.

Conclusions

The results showed that the character-based method with the BLOG algorithm was the most effective among all the evaluation methods, and the combined sequences can improve the ability to identify tree species compared with single sequences. Finally, the trnH-psbA and ITS2 + trnH-psbA were proposed as DNA barcodes to identify D. odorifera and D. tonkinensis.
PeCIN8 expression correlates with flower size and resistance to yellow leaf disease in Phalaenopsis orchids
Authors: Wu Yan-Jeng , Chen Shu-Yun , Hsu Fu-Cheng , Wu Wen-Luan , Hsieh Ting-Fang , Su Jiunn-Feng , Lai Yung-Hsiang , Lai Pen-Chih , Chen Wen-Huei , Chen Hong-Hwa
Published: November 2023

Background

The orchid industry has seen a recent surge in export values due to the floral morphology and versatile applications of orchids in various markets for medicinal, food additive, and cosmetic usages. However, plant-related diseases, including the yellow leaf disease caused by Fusarium solani, have caused significant losses in the production value of Phalaenopsis (up to 30%).

Results

In this study, 203 Phalaenopsis cultivars were collected from 10 local orchid nurseries, and their disease severity index and correlation with flower size were evaluated. Larger flowers had weaker resistance to yellow leaf disease, and smaller flowers had stronger resistance. For the genetic relationship of disease resistance to flower size, the genetic background of all cultivars was assessed using OrchidWiz Orchid Database Software and principal component analysis. In addition, we identified the orthologous genes of BraTCP4, namely PeIN6, PeCIN7, and PeCIN8, which are involved in resistance to pathogens, and analyzed their gene expression. The expression of PeCIN8 was significantly higher in the most resistant cultivars (A7403, A11294, and A2945) relative to the most susceptible cultivars (A10670, A6390, and A10746).

Conclusions

We identified a correlation between flower size and resistance to yellow leaf disease in Phalaenopsis orchids. The expression of PeCIN8 may regulate the two traits in the disease-resistant cultivars. These findings can be applied to Phalaenopsis breeding programs to develop resistant cultivars against yellow leaf disease.
Age-related promoter-switch regulates Runx1 expression in adult rat hearts
Authors: Song Jiawei , Zhang Xiaoling , Lv Sinan , Liu Meng , Hua Xing , Yue Limin , Wang Si , He Weihong
Published: November 2023

Background

Runt-related transcription factor-1 (RUNX1), a key member of the core-binding factor family of transcription factors, has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. There is an urgent need to fully understand the expression pattern of Runx1 in the heart and the mechanisms by which it is controlled under normal conditions and in response to disease. The expression of Runx1 is regulated at the transcriptional level by two promoters designated P1 and P2. Alternative usage of these two promoters creates differential mRNA transcripts diversified in distribution and translational potential. While the significance of P1/P2 promoter-switch in the transcriptional control of Runx1 has been highlighted in the embryogenic process, very little is known about the level of P1- and P2-specific transcripts in adult hearts, and the underlying mechanisms controlling the promoter-switch.

Methods

To amplify P1/P2 specific sequences in the heart, we used two different sense primers complementary to either P1 or P2 5'-regions to monitor the expression of P1/P2 transcripts. DNA methylation levels were assessed at the Runx1 promoter regions. Rats were grouped by age.

Results

The expression levels of both P1- and P2-derived Runx1 transcripts were decreased in older rats when compared with that in young adults, paralleled with an age-dependent decline in Runx1 protein level. Furthermore, older rats demonstrated a higher degree of DNA methylation at Runx1 promoter regions. Alternative promoter usage was observed in hearts with increased age, as reflected by altered P1:P2 mRNA ratio.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that the expression of Runx1 in the heart is age-dependent and underscore the importance of gene methylation in the promoter-mediated transcriptional control of Runx1, thereby providing new insights to the role of epigenetic regulation in the heart.