bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Support and Job Satisfaction in Kindergarten Teachers: The Mediating Role of Coping Styles
Authors: Yang Ying , Lu Xiaozhou , Ban Yongfei , Sun Ji
Published: March 2022

This study explored the relationship between social support and job satisfaction in kindergarten teachers, and the mediating role of coping styles in this relationship. A sample of 617 kindergarten teachers (Mage = 25.13 years, SD = 5.66 years) from kindergartens in mainland China completed questionnaires measuring social support, job satisfaction, and coping style. The results showed that social support was positively related to job satisfaction and positive coping style was positively associated with social support and job satisfaction. Furthermore, the results revealed that positive coping style, but not negative coping style, had a mediating effect on the relationship between kindergarten teachers’ social support and job satisfaction. This study provides initial evidence that coping style mediates the link between social support and job satisfaction in kindergarten teachers, and suggests that increasing social support and encouraging positive coping style could improve kindergarten teachers’ job satisfaction.
A Study on the Correlation Between Quality of Life and Unhealthy Emotion Among Patients With Endometriosis
Authors: He Guimei , Chen Jiebing , Peng Zhangqing , Feng Kai , Luo Chunqi , Zeng Xun
Published: March 2022

Objective

To investigate the influence of quality of life (QOL) on unhealthy emotions as well as relevant factors among patients with endometriosis for supporting relevant clinical care.

Methods

A convenience sampling method was used to administer questionnaires to 139 patients with endometriosis, using the Hamilton Anxiety Inventory (HAMA), the Depression Anxiety Scale (SDS), and the SF-12 Health Survey Short Form, and the results were analyzed. The SPSS20.0 software was used for statistical analysis on relevant data. If P < 0.05, there was statistical significance.

Results

Twelve-Item Short Form (SF-12) for health survey covered two comprehensive indexes, i.e., physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. MCS score was the main factor influencing anxiety and depression in patients with endometriosis; the higher the MCS score, the lower the anxiety and depression degrees in patients with endometriosis (OR = 0.912, 95% CI: 0.877–0.949; OR = 0.899, 95% CI: 0.866–0.933). PCS score was a factor influencing anxiety degree; the higher the PCS score, the lower the anxiety degree (OR = 0.936, 95% CI: 0.891–0.983).

Conclusion

The QOL of patients with endometriosis is negatively correlated with anxiety and depression. Therefore, improvement in QOL may help relevant patients to relieve their unhealthy emotions.
Measurement Invariance of the Short Home Attachment Scale: A Cross-Cultural Study
Authors: Nartova-Bochaver Sofya , Reznichenko Sofia , Bardadymov Vasily , Khachaturova Milana , Yerofeyeva Victoria , Khachatryan Narine , Kryazh Iryna , Kamble Shanmukh , Zulkarnain Zulkarnain
Published: March 2022

The home environment is a particularly significant part of life that is supposed to satisfy inhabitants’ needs, form their identity, and contribute to psychological wellbeing. The construct of home attachment is especially relevant for students as a most mobile social group. This study is devoted to the validation of the Short Home Attachment Scale (SHAS) in a student sample from five countries (Armenia, India, Indonesia, Russia, and Ukraine). A total of 1,349 (17–26 years; Mage = 19.82, SDage = 2.14; 78% females) university students participated in the study and filled in the 14 items of HAS. In order to avoid redundant items with high error covariances damaging the model, a new scale—the SHAS was developed by eliminating seven items. The shortened scale has satisfactory structure validity in terms of model fit in all countries except Indonesia; internal reliability values were acceptable in all countries. Measurement invariance across countries was tested with Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MG CFA) and Alignment Analysis. MG CFA confirmed both configurational and metric invariance. The invariance of item factor loadings, as well as item intercepts, was also confirmed by the Alignment Analysis. The mean scores varied across cultures, with the highest in India and the lowest in Russia. The final version of SHAS is a valid, reliable tool that may be recommended for use in cross-cultural research. However, the SHAS factor structure robustness in the Indonesian population should be investigated thoroughly.
Does Education Affect Rural Women’s Trust? Evidence From China
Authors: Xu Siyu , Zhao Yeye , Aziz Noshaba , He Jun
Published: March 2022

Trust is of great significance to the economic and social development of a country. In the case of China, the trust of rural women has undergone tremendous changes along with the development of rural areas. It is seen that the trust of rural women has changed from localized to generalized trust, and it is stated that the major factor leading to this transformation is education. To explore the phenomenon empirically, the current study uses the survey data of rural women sourced from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) over the year 2018. Through the ordered probit model, the study reveals that education plays a significant role in influencing rural women’s generalized trust and localized trust. Through mediation analysis, the study further reveals that reliance on Internet information, access to public resources, and income are the factors mediating the relationship between education and generalized trust. Besides, the outcomes further unveil that the impact of education on localized trust is stronger when the level of mobility is low. For robustness check, the current study additionally employs a regression discontinuity model. The overall findings elucidate that education is the major factor triggering the trust of rural women in China. The findings propose that policymakers in China should imply education-oriented strategies as individuals with higher levels of education are more inclined to trust others.
Bullying, Psychological, and Physical Trauma During Early Life Increase Risk of Major Depressive Disorder in Adulthood: A Nationwide Community Sample of Korean Adults
Authors: Kim Hyun Soo , Pyo Hong Jin , Fava Maurizio , Mischoulon David , Park Mi Jin , Jeon Hong Jin
Published: March 2022

Background

There is an association between early life traumas and the development of depression in adults. Few studies have used nationwide population-based samples to investigate whether the type of early life trauma differentially influences the risk of developing depression.

Methods

Major depressive disorder and early life trauma were assessed using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI) for DSM-IV psychiatric disorder and a questionnaire for early life trauma in the Korean Epidemiological Catchment Area Study in 2016. A total of 4,652 participants were included in the final analysis. This study evaluated the effect of the type and frequency of reported early life trauma on the risk of developing MDD and the association between reported early life trauma and differential symptoms of MDD.

Results

Individuals with reported early life trauma had a 3.7-fold increased risk of MDD. The risk of MDD was associated with bullying trauma (odds ratio (OR) = 1.847, p = 0.005) after adjusting for age, gender, marriage, job, and education years. The risk of MDD was increased as the types of reported early life traumas increased.

Conclusion

Bullying trauma during early life represents a risk factor for MDD, especially in individuals exposed to multiple traumas in early life.
Contributions of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Stressors to Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health During Pregnancy
Authors: Avalos Lyndsay A. , Nance Nerissa , Zhu Yeyi , Croen Lisa A. , Young-Wolff Kelly C. , Zerbo Ousseny , Hedderson Monique M. , Ferrara Assiamira , Ames Jennifer L. , Badon Sylvia E.
Published: March 2022

Background

This study aimed to identify racial and ethnic disparities in prenatal mental health and identify COVID-19 pandemic-related health/healthcare and economic contributors to these disparities, using an established framework for disparity investigation.

Methods

This cross-sectional study includes 10,930 pregnant people at Kaiser Permanente Northern California who completed an online survey between June 22, 2020 and April 28, 2021 on COVID-19 pandemic-related health/healthcare and economic stressors, depression, and anxiety. Self-reported race and ethnicity were extracted from electronic health records. Weighted analyses were used to evaluate the association between racial and ethnic category and prenatal depression and anxiety; the prevalence of each stressor by race and ethnicity; and the relationship between each stressor and prenatal depression and anxiety in each racial and ethnic category.

Results

The sample was 22% Asian, 3% Black, 20% Hispanic, 5% Other/Multiracial/Unknown, and 49% White. Compared to White people, Black and Hispanic people had a higher prevalence of prenatal depression (aPR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.35 and aPR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.37, respectively) and anxiety (aPR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.18 and aPR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.94, 1.29, respectively). Compared to White people, Black and Hispanic people had a higher prevalence of moderate/severe distress due to changes in prenatal care (24 vs. 34 and 31%), and food insecurity (9 vs. 31 and 24%). Among Black and Hispanic people, distress due to changes in prenatal care was associated with a greater prevalence of prenatal depression (aPR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.64 and aPR: 2.76, 95% CI: 2.12, 3.58, respectively) and prenatal anxiety (aPR: 3.00, 95% CI: 1.85, 4.84 and aPR: 2.82, 95% CI: 2.15, 3.71, respectively). Additionally, among Hispanic people, high-risk employment and food insecurity were associated with a greater prevalence of prenatal depression and anxiety.

Conclusions

This study identified racial and ethnic disparities in mental health for pregnant Black and Hispanic people. Distress due to prenatal care changes contributed to the observed disparities in prenatal depression and anxiety for Black and Hispanic people and food insecurity additionally contributed to the observed disparities for Hispanic people. Addressing distress due to changes to prenatal care and food insecurity specifically in Black and Hispanic people may help reduce the high burden of poor mental health and reduce observed disparities in these communities.
Exploring the Motivations for Completing Advance Care Directives: A Qualitative Study of Majority/Minority Israeli People Without Dementia
Authors: Werner Perla , Ulitsa Natalie , AboJabel Hanan
Published: March 2022

Background

Completing advance directives has been declared an essential instrument for preserving and respecting the autonomy and preferences for end-of-life care of people living with dementia. However, research deciphering the reasoning behind the decision to complete or not advance directives in the case of dementia remains limited, especially among people pertaining to different majority/minority groups.

Objectives

To explore the motivations of people without dementia in Israel to complete or not to complete advance directives and to compare these motivations among the majority veteran Jewish group, the minority Jewish Former Soviet Union immigrant group, and the minority Arab group.

Methods

This qualitative study used purposive sampling and focus groups with discussions elicited by a vignette. A total of 42 Israeli people without dementia participated in 6 focus groups: two with veteran Jews (n = 14), two with Jewish immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (n = 14), and two with Arabs (n = 14). The analysis followed recommended steps for thematic content analysis.

Results

Four overarching themes were identified: (1) the meaning of dementia-related advance directives, (2) motivations for willingness to complete advance directives, (3) motivations for not being willing to complete advance directives, and (4) ethical dilemmas. Some of the themes were common to all groups, while others were informed by the groups' unique characteristics. Participants displayed a lack of knowledge and misunderstanding about advance directives, and central concepts such as autonomy and competence. Furthermore, stigmatic images of dementia and of the person with the diagnosis were associated to participants' motivations to complete advance directives.

Conclusions

There is need to expand comparative research among culturally and socially similar and dissimilar groups within a country as well as between countries in order to better guide public health efforts to increase the rates of advance directives completion. Special attention should be paid to decreasing stigmatic beliefs and understanding unique cultural values and motivations.
Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control of Diabetes in India From the Countrywide National NCD Monitoring Survey
Authors: Mathur Prashant , Leburu Sravya , Kulothungan Vaitheeswaran
Published: March 2022

Background

To determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated factors amongst adults (18–69 years) in India from the National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS).

Methods

NNMS was a comprehensive, cross-sectional survey conducted in 2017–18 on a national sample of 12,000 households in 600 primary sampling units. In every household, one eligible adult aged 18–69 years were selected. Information on NCD risk factors and their health-seeking behaviors were collected. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and fasting capillary blood glucose were measured. DM was defined as fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥126 mg/dl including those on medication. Awareness, treatment, and control of DM were defined as adults previously diagnosed with DM by a doctor, on prescribed medication for DM, and FBG <126 mg/dl, respectively. The weighted data are presented as mean and proportions with 95% CI. We applied the Student t-test for continuous variables, Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables and multivariate regression to determine the odds ratio. For statistical significance, a p-value < 0.05 was considered.

Results

Prevalence of DM and impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG) in India was 9.3% and 24.5% respectively. Among those with DM, 45.8% were aware, 36.1% were on treatment and 15.7% had it under control. More than three-fourths of adults approached the allopathic practitioners for consultation (84.0%) and treatment (78.8%) for diabetes. Older adults were associated with an increased risk for DM [OR 8.89 (95% CI 6.66–11.87) and were 16 times more aware of DM. Better awareness, treatment and control levels were seen among adults with raised blood pressure and raised cholesterol.

Conclusions

The prevalence of DM and IFG is high among adults, while the levels of awareness, treatment and control are still low in India, and this varied notably between the age groups. Multifaceted approaches that include improved awareness, adherence to treatment, better preventive and counseling services are crucial to halt diabetes in India. Also, expanding traditional systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy [AYUSH]) into diabetes prevention and control practices open solutions to manage this crisis.
What Factors Encourage Young People to Engage in Substance Use? Substance Use and Associated Factors Among Youth in Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Geleta Tinsae Abeya , Deriba Berhanu Senbeta , Dirirsa Dejene Edosa
Published: March 2022

Background

Substance use indicated the use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, khat, and illegal drugs. Substance use has varying impacts on the health and socio-economics of countries, and is a major public health concern globally. Currently, substance use is a common public health problem among Ethiopian youth mainly in the city of Jimma. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of Cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, khat chewing, and associated factors among the youth of Jimma town in 2019.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among youth of Jimma town from March 2019 to April 2019. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 423 study participants. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EPI data manager version 4.4.1 and transported to SPSS version 23 for data cleaning and analyses. The disruptive study was carried out to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and khat chewing. Binary and multivariable analyses were carried out to identify factories associated with cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and khat chewing. Finally, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the presence and strength of association.

Results

The current prevalence of cigarette use, alcohol use, and khat use was 16.0, 30.6, and 45.7%, respectively. Factors associated with current smoking use were substance use by siblings, subjective norm factors, and perceived benefits of substance use. Factors associated with current alcohol consumption were youth who highly perceived substance use as important. Factors associated with current khat use were male, substance use by siblings, out-of-school youth, and subjective norms.

Concussion

The study findings indicated that the prevalence of khat, alcohol, and cigarettes was high among the youth of the city of Jimma. To reduce the prevalence of khat, alcohol, and cigarettes among youth, coordinated efforts from the youth, the government, health professionals, and the community at large are needed.
Key Indicators Affecting Hospital Efficiency: A Systematic Review
Authors: Imani Ali , Alibabayee Roghayeh , Golestani Mina , Dalal Koustuv
Published: March 2022

Background

Measuring hospital efficiency is a systematic process to optimizing performance and resource allocation. The current review study has investigated the key input, process, and output indicators that are commonly used in measuring the technical efficiency of the hospital to promote the accuracy of the results.

Methods

To conduct this systematic review, the electronic resources and databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, Ovid, Proquest, Google Scholar, and reference lists of the selected articles were used for searching articles between 2010 and 2019. After in-depth reviews based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, among 1,537 studies, 144 articles were selected for the final assessment. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist was used for evaluating the quality of the articles. The main findings of studies have been extracted using content analysis.

Results

After the final analysis, the Context/Input indicators that were commonly considered by studies in analyzing hospital technical efficiency include different variables related to Hospital Capacity, Structure, Characteristics, Market concentration, and Costs. The Process/Throughput indicators include different variables related to Hospital Activity or services-oriented process Indicators, Hospital Quality-oriented process indicators, and Hospital Educational processes. Finally, the Output/Outcome indicators include different variables related to Hospital Activity-related output variables and Quality-related output/outcomes variables.

Conclusion

This study has identified that it is necessary to mix and assess a set of input, process, and output indicators of the hospital with both quantitative and qualitative indicators for measuring the technical efficiency of hospitals comprehensively.
How Healthy Aging and Contact With Children Are Associated With Satisfaction in Middle-Aged and Older Parents in China: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Chen Jiangyun , Zeng Yixin , He Wenjun , Yang Jiao , Xu Dong , Li Haomiao
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study aims to examine the mediation role of satisfaction with children on the association between contact with children (CCT) and healthy aging among middle-aged and older parents in China.

Methods

Data from 9,575 parents over 45 years old were obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. A multinomial logistic regression model was applied to measure the association between contact, satisfaction, and healthy aging with potential confounders controlled. We used the Sobel–Goodman Mediation test to analyze the mediation role of satisfaction on the association between types of CCT and healthy aging.

Results

Parents with contact with adult children had higher satisfaction with children [for contact weekly (satisfied/unsatisfied): relative risk ratio (RRR) = 2.44, CI = 1.92–3.10] and higher healthy aging [for contact weekly (Q5/Q1): RRR = 1.41, CI = 1.13–1.77]. Satisfaction was strongly related to healthy aging [for satisfied (Q5/Q1): RRR = 3.44, CI = 2.14–5.51], and mediated 19.05% of healthy aging for weekly contact (Sobel test z = 4.338; indirect role = 0.014, CI = 0.011–0.018; direct role = 0.061, CI = 0.029–0.094). Subgroup analysis further revealed that satisfaction with contact played a partial mediating role between monthly contact and healthy aging in female and rural groups.

Conclusions

Monthly CCT is more appropriate for older parents. Satisfaction with children in older parents seems to act as a significant and partial mediator of the relationship between contact and healthy aging. The contribution of satisfaction to healthy aging could be important to be considered and promoted in women and rural older parents, independent of CCT.
Does Green Governance Efficiency and Green Finance Polices Matters in Sustainable Environment: Implications for Public Health
Authors: Xu Siyun , Zhu Huiqin
Published: March 2022

Rapid and widespread changes in the environment and climate, such as rising temperatures, water and air pollution, floods, and droughts, disease vector migration are putting human health at risk. In this case, green governance is an essential driver for the restructuring of economic development and realizing a green technological revolution for sustainable development and its implications for public health. This article aims to explore the effects and interrelationships of green governance and green finance policies on sustainable development in various regions of China's from 2008 to 2018 using panel data estimation technique. The findings show that China's overall green governance index and green finance policies resulted in a substantial decrease in environmental pollution during the study time. Financial inclusion also be a factor to the reduction of CO2 emissions and has a positive influence on environmental security investment projects, according to our findings. China is on track to become a world leader in an enactment of green finance concept, and controllers must speed up the development of green finance products and strengthen financial institutions' ability to provide green credit. Policymakers should promote green governance and green fiancé to keenly play a part in environmental security projects that boost green spending while minimizing the procedural risk.
Strategies for Improving Access to Cancer Services in Rural Communities: A Pre-implementation Study
Authors: Crabtree-Ide Christina , Sevdalis Nick , Bellohusen Patricia , Constine Louis S. , Fleming Fergal , Holub David , Rizvi Irfan , Rodriguez Jennifer , Shayne Michelle , Termer Nancy , Tomaszewski Ken , Noyes Katia
Published: March 2022

Background

Implementation science is defined as the scientific study of methods and strategies that facilitate the uptake of evidence-based practice into regular use by practitioners. Failure of implementation is more common in resource-limited settings and may contribute to health disparities between rural and urban communities. In this pre-implementation study, we aimed to (1) evaluate barriers and facilitators for implementation of guideline-concordant healthcare services for cancer patients in rural communities in Upstate New York and (2) identify key strategies for successful implementation of cancer services and supportive programs in resource-poor settings.

Methods

The mixed methods study was guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Using engagement approaches from Community-Based Participatory Research, we collected qualitative and quantitative data to assess barriers and facilitators to implementation of rural cancer survivorship services (three focus groups, n = 43, survey n = 120). Information was collected using both in-person and web-based approaches and assessed attitude and preferences for various models of cancer care organization and delivery in rural communities. Stakeholders included cancer survivors, their families and caregivers, local public services administrators, health providers, and allied health-care professionals from rural and remote communities in Upstate New York. Data was analyzed using grounded theory.

Results

Responders reported preferences for cross-region team-based cancer care delivery and emphasized the importance of connecting local providers with cancer care networks and multidisciplinary teams at large urban cancer centers. The main reported barriers to rural cancer program implementation included regional variation in infrastructure and services delivery practices, inadequate number of providers/specialists, lack of integration among oncology, primary care and supportive services within the regions, and misalignment between clinical guideline recommendations and current reimbursement policies.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed a unique combination of community, socio-economic, financial, and workforce barriers to implementation of guideline-concordant healthcare services for cancer patients in rural communities. One strategy to overcome these barriers is to improve provider cross-region collaboration and care coordination by means of teamwork and facilitation. Augmenting implementation framework with provider team-building strategies across and within regions could improve rural provider confidence and performance, minimize chances of implementation failure, and improve continuity of care for cancer patients living in rural areas.
Novelty Experience in Prolonged Interaction: A Qualitative Study of Socially-Isolated College Students’ In-Home Use of a Robot Companion Animal
Authors: Abendschein Bryan , Edwards Autumn , Edwards Chad
Published: March 2022

Social distancing policies such as limits on public gatherings and contact with others were utilized around the world to slow the spread of COVID-19. Yet, decreased social interactions may also threaten people’s well-being. In this project, we sought to understand novelty-relevant experiences surrounding in-home companion robot pets for adults that were living in some degree of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After 6-weeks of participants living with the robot companion, we conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 9) and six themes emerged from our iterative analysis (expectations versus reality, ontological comparisons, interactions, third-party influence, identity, and comfort). Findings suggest that novelty is a complex phenomenon consisting of various elements (i.e., imagined novelty, technology novelty, and relational novelty). Each component influences the user’s experience. Our findings also suggest that our understanding of novelty as a nonlinear resource may hold important implications for how we view human-robot relationships beyond initial encounters.
Challenges and Advancements for AR Optical See-Through Near-Eye Displays: A Review
Authors: Xia Xinxing , Guan Frank Yunqing , Cai Yiyu , Magnenat Thalmann Nadia
Published: March 2022

Optical see-through near-eye display (NED) technologies for augmented reality (AR) have achieved significant advancements recently with investments from both academia and industry. Although various AR NED products have been successfully commercialized and even deployed into applications, there are still challenges with present AR NED technologies (e.g., limited eyebox, fixed focus, bulky form factors). In this review, we present a brief overview of leading AR NED technologies and then focus on the state-of-the-art research works to counter the respective key challenges with each of the leading AR NED technologies. We also introduce a number of emerging technologies that are worthy of close study.
Is It Useful and Necessary to Add a T2 Paravertebral Block to the Regional Anesthesia During Proximal Humeral Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients? A Prospective and Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Zhang Hui , Chen Yongzhu , Zhang Qingfu , Xie Zhenwei , Liao Junling , Jiang Wei , Zhang Junfeng
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study was designed to investigate whether it is useful and necessary to add a T2 level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) based on brachial-cervical plexus block to avoid incomplete anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing deltopectoral approach proximal humeral fracture (PHF) surgery.

Materials and Methods

This study involved 80 patients scheduled for PHF surgery who were randomized to receive either IC block (combined interscalene brachial plexus with superficial cervical plexus block) or ICTP block (T2 TPVB supplemented with IC block). The primary outcome was the success rate of regional anesthesia. The patient who experienced incomplete block was administered with intravenous remifentanil for rescue, or conversion to general anesthesia (GA) if remifentanil was still ineffective. Secondary outcomes included requirements of rescue anesthesia, sensory block of the surgical region, the incidence of adverse reactions, and block procedure-related complications.

Results

The success rate of regional anesthesia in the ICTP group was higher compared with the IC group (77.5 vs. 52.5%, p = 0.019). Intravenous remifentanil was required in 32.5% of patients in the IC group and 17.5% in the ICTP group, respectively. Conversion to GA was performed in 15% of patients in the IC group and 5% in the ICTP group. Sensory block at the medial proximal upper arm was achieved in 85% of patients in the ICTP group, whereas 10% in the IC group (p < 0.001). There was no difference between the groups with respect to the incidence of intraoperative adverse reactions. No block-related complications occurred in either group.

Conclusion

Adding a T2 TPVB is helpful to decrease, but not absolutely avoid the occurrence of incomplete regional anesthesia during PHF surgery in elderly patients. However, considering the potential risks, it is not an ideal option while a minor dose of remifentanil can provide a satisfactory rescue effect.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03919422.
Serum and Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels as Early Markers of the Renal Function in Patients With Urinary Stone-Induced Hydronephrosis
Authors: Xie Tiancheng , Zhou Hongmin , Gao Yuchen , Xu Xiao , Yao Xudong , He Xulin , Xu Yunfei
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Urinary stones cause hydronephrosis, which leads to kidney function impairment. The serum creatinine level is frequently used as a marker of kidney function. However, in some patients with hydronephrosis, it does not reflect the kidney function changes in the early stages of kidney stone disease. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a novel indicator of the kidney function. Previous NGAL-related research has focused on its role in acute kidney injury. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of NGAL as an early marker of the kidney function in patients with urinary stones and hydronephrosis.

Methods

Eighty-five patients with urinary stones who were admitted to the Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital (USP group) and 65 healthy volunteers (NC group) were recruited. Blood and urine samples collected from the study participants were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the NGAL concentration. Data on the height, weight, age, medical history, and blood and urine findings were collected. Computed tomography data were collected from the USP group.

Results

Compared to in the NC group, NGAL levels were significantly elevated in the USP group (P < 0.001). However, no significant differences in the NGAL levels were observed among the USP group members with different degrees of hydronephrosis. Furthermore, no significant between-group differences in the creatinine level or the estimated glomerular filtration rate were observed. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the serum and urinary NGAL levels with hydronephrosis were 92.03 and 99.54%, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the serum and urinary NGAL levels with kidney stones were 85.05 and 91.89%, respectively.

Conclusion

NGAL is a sensitive indicator of hydronephrosis secondary to urinary stones.
Correlations Between the Expression of Stromal Cell Activation Related Biomarkers, L-NGFR, Phospho-ERK1-2 and CXCL12, and Primary Myelofibrosis Progression
Authors: Szekely Tamas , Krenacs Tibor , Maros Mate Elod , Bodor Csaba , Daubner Viktoria , Csizmadia Annamaria , Vrabely Brigitta , Timar Botond
Published: March 2022

In myelofibrosis, pathologically enhanced extracellular matrix production due to aberrant cytokine signalling and clonal megakaryocyte functions result(s) in impaired hemopoiesis. Disease progression is still determined by detecting reticulin and collagen fibrosis with Gomori’s silver impregnation. Here, we tested whether the expression growth related biomarkers L-NGFR/CD271, phospho-ERK1-2 and CXCL12 can be linked to the functional activation of bone marrow stromal cells during primary myelofibrosis progression. Immunoscores for all tested biomarkers showed varying strength of positive statistical correlation with the silver impregnation based myelofibrosis grades. The intimate relationship between spindle shaped stromal cells positive for all three markers and aberrant megakaryocytes was likely to reflect their functional cooperation. L-NGFR reaction was restricted to bone marrow stromal cells and revealed the whole length of their processes. Also, L-NGFR positive cells showed the most intersections, the best statistical correlations with myelofibrosis grades and the strongest interrater agreements. CXCL12 reaction highlighted stromal cell bodies and a weak extracellular staining in line with its constitutive release. Phospho-ERK1-2 reaction showed a similar pattern to CXCL12 in stromal cells with an additional nuclear staining in agreement with its role as a transcription factor. Both p-ERK1-2 and CXCL12 were also expressed at a moderate level in sinus endothelial cells. Connexin 43 gap junction communication channels, known to be required for CXCL12 release to maintain stem cell niche, were also expressed progressively in the myelofibrotic stromal network as a support of compartmental functions. Our results suggest that, diverse growth related pathways are activated in the functionally coupled bone marrow stromal cells during myelofibrosis progression. L-NGFR expression can be a useful biological marker of stromal cell activation which deserves diagnostic consideration for complementing Gomori’s silver impregnation.
Women’s Empowerment and Livestock Vaccination: Evidence from Peste des Petits Ruminants Vaccination Interventions in Northern Ghana
Authors: Omondi Immaculate , Galiè Alessandra , Teufel Nils , Loriba Agnes , Kariuki Eunice , Baltenweck Isabelle
Published: March 2022

Healthy livestock provide meaningful opportunities to enhance women’s empowerment (WE) in low- and middle-income countries. Animal vaccines are important to keep livestock healthy and productive. However, gender-based restrictions limit women’s access to animal health services, thereby affecting the potential of livestock to enhance their empowerment. While growing empirical evidence reveals that women-controlled livestock (e.g., small ruminants) have important implications for WE and support better household nutrition outcomes, little empirical evidence exists from rigorous analyses of the relationship between WE and animal vaccines for women-controlled livestock species. Our analysis explores the relationship between WE and involvement with PPR vaccination in Ghana. Data collected using the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) tool from 465 women and 92 men farmers (who keep goats) from northern Ghana, and analyzed using PLS-SEM, revealed a significant direct positive association between knowledge about animal health and PPR vaccines and a significant indirect positive association between access to PPR vaccines and empowerment. The empowerment of women goat farmers, as revealed by our model’s results for the relationship between empowerment and vaccine facets, was significantly represented by asset ownership and input into decisions concerning livestock. These study results reveal important considerations in designing effective and equitable livestock vaccine systems.
Addressing Data Bottlenecks in the Dairy Farm Industry
Authors: Fadul-Pacheco Liliana , Wangen Steven R. , da Silva Tadeu Eder , Cabrera Victor E.
Published: March 2022

A survey to explore the challenges and opportunities for dairy farm data management and governance was completed by 73 farmers and 96 non-farmers. Although 91% of them find data sharing beneficial, 69% are unfamiliar with data collection protocols and standards, and 66% of farmers feel powerless over their data chain of custody. Although 58% of farmers share data, only 19% of them recall having signed a data share agreement. Fifty-two percent of respondents agree that data collected on farm belongs only to the farmer, with 25% of farmers believing intellectual property products are being developed with their data, and 90% of all said companies should pay farmers when making money from their data. Farmers and non-farmers are somewhat concerned about data ownership, security, and confidentiality, but non-farmers were more concerned about data collection standards and lack of integration. Sixty-two percent of farmers integrate data from different sources. Farmers’ most used technologies are milk composition (67%) and early disease detection (56%); most desired technologies are body condition score (56%) and automatic milking systems (46%); most abandoned technologies are temperature and activity sensors (14%) and automatic sorting gates (13%). A better understanding of these issues is paramount for the industry’s long-term sustainability.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: A Review of Strategies to Avoid Polymyxins and Carbapenems Misuse in Low Middle-Income Countries
Authors: de Carvalho Fabrício Rodrigues Torres , Telles João Paulo , Tuon Felipe Francisco Bodan , Rabello Filho Roberto , Caruso Pedro , Correa Thiago Domingos
Published: March 2022

Antibiotics misuse and overuse are concerning issues worldwide, especially in low middle-income countries. These practices contribute to the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance. One efficient strategy to avoid them is antimicrobial stewardship programs. In this review, we focus on the possible approaches to spare the prescription of polymyxins and carbapenems for the treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, and Pseudomonas aeruginosas infections. Additionally, we highlight how to implement cumulative antibiograms and biomarkers to a sooner de-escalation of antibiotics.
Antimicrobial Resistance, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence Genes in Enterococcus Species from Small Backyard Chicken Flocks
Authors: Alzahrani Othman M. , Fayez Mahmoud , Alswat Amal S. , Alkafafy Mohamed , Mahmoud Samy F. , Al-Marri Theeb , Almuslem Ahmed , Ashfaq Hassan , Yusuf Shaymaa
Published: March 2022

Backyard birds are small flocks that are more common in developing countries. They are used for poultry meat and egg production. However, they are also implicated in the maintenance and transmission of several zoonotic diseases, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. Enterococci are one of the most common zoonotic bacteria. They colonize numerous body sites and cause a wide range of serious nosocomial infections in humans. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the diversity in Enterococcus spp. in healthy birds and to determine the occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR), multi-locus sequence types, and virulence genes and biofilm formation. From March 2019 to December 2020, cloacal swabs were collected from 15 healthy backyard broiler flocks. A total of 90 enterococci strains were recovered and classified according to the 16S rRNA sequence into Enterococcus faecalis (50%); Enterococcus faecium (33.33%), Enterococcus hirae (13.33%), and Enterococcus avium (3.33%). The isolates exhibited high resistance to tetracycline (55.6%), erythromycin (31.1%), and ampicillin (30%). However, all of the isolates were susceptible to linezolid. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was identified in 30 (33.3%) isolates. The enterococci AMR-associated genes ermB, ermA, tetM, tetL, vanA, cat, and pbp5 were identified in 24 (26.6%), 11 (12.2%), 39 (43.3%), 34 (37.7%), 1 (1.1%), 4 (4.4%), and 23 (25.5%) isolates, respectively. Of the 90 enterococci, 21 (23.3%), 27 (30%), and 36 (40%) isolates showed the presence of cylA, gelE, and agg virulence-associated genes, respectively. Seventy-three (81.1%) isolates exhibited biofilm formation. A statistically significant correlation was obtained for biofilm formation versus the MAR index and MDR. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) identified eleven and eight different STs for E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. Seven different rep-family plasmid genes (rep1–2, rep3, rep5–6, rep9, and rep11) were detected in the MDR enterococci. Two-thirds (20/30; 66.6%) of the enterococci were positive for one or two rep-families. In conclusion, the results show that healthy backyard chickens could act as a reservoir for MDR and virulent Enterococcus spp. Thus, an effective antimicrobial stewardship program and further studies using a One Health approach are required to investigate the role of backyard chickens as vectors for AMR transmission to humans.
Incidence of Postoperative Pneumonia and Oral Microbiome for Patients with Cancer Operation
Authors: Nomura Yoshiaki , Inai Yuko , Shimpo Yudai , Okada Ayako , Yamamoto Yuko , Sogabe Kaoru , Wada Naohisa , Hanada Nobuhiro
Published: March 2022

Postoperative pneumonia is a serious problem for patients and medical staff. In Japan, many hospitals introduced perioperative oral care management for the efficient use of medical resources. However, a high percentage of postoperative pneumonia still developed. Therefore, there is a need to identify the specific respiratory pathogens to predict the incidence of pneumonia The purpose of this study was to find out the candidate of bacterial species for the postoperative pneumonia. This study applied case-control study design for the patients who had a cancer operation with or without postoperative pneumonia. A total of 10 patients undergoing a cancer operation under general anesthesia participated in this study. The day before a cancer operation, preoperative oral care management was applied. Using the next generation sequence, oral microbiome of these patients was analyzed at the time of their first visit, the day before and after a cancer operation. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum group can be a high risk at first visit. Atopobium parvulum and Enterococcus faecalis before a cancer operation can be a high risk. Poor oral hygiene increased the risk of incidence of postoperative pneumonia. Increased periodontal pathogens can be a high risk of the incidence of postoperative pneumonia. In addition, increased intestinal bacteria after oral care management can also be a high risk for the incidence of postoperative pneumonia.
An Energy-Autonomous Smart Shirt Employing Wearable Sensors for Users’ Safety and Protection in Hazardous Workplaces
Authors: De Fazio Roberto , Al-Hinnawi Abdel-Razzak , De Vittorio Massimo , Visconti Paolo
Published: March 2022

Wearable devices represent a versatile technology in the IoT paradigm, enabling non-invasive and accurate data collection directly from the human body. This paper describes the development of a smart shirt to monitor working conditions in particularly dangerous workplaces. The wearable device integrates a wide set of sensors to locally acquire the user’s vital signs (e.g., heart rate, blood oxygenation, and temperature) and environmental parameters (e.g., the concentration of dangerous gas species and oxygen level). Electrochemical gas-monitoring modules were designed and integrated into the garment for acquiring the concentrations of CO, O2, CH2O, and H2S. The acquired data are wirelessly sent to a cloud platform (IBM Cloud), where they are displayed, processed, and stored. A mobile application was deployed to gather data from the wearable devices and forward them toward the cloud application, enabling the system to operate in areas where a WiFi hotspot is not available. Additionally, the smart shirt comprises a multisource harvesting section to scavenge energy from light, body heat, and limb movements. Indeed, the wearable device integrates several harvesters (thin-film solar panels, thermoelectric generators (TEGs), and piezoelectric transducers), a low-power conditioning section, and a 380 mAh LiPo battery to accumulate the recovered charge. Field tests indicated that the harvesting section could provide up to 216 mW mean power, fully covering the power requirements (P¯ = 1.86 mW) of the sensing, processing, and communication sections in all considered conditions (3.54 mW in the worst-case scenario). However, the 380 mAh LiPo battery guarantees about a 16-day lifetime in the complete absence of energy contributions from the harvesting section.
Options for and Challenges of Employing Digital Twins in Construction Management
Authors: Salem Tareq , Dragomir Mihai
Published: March 2022

The notions of smart construction and smart or digital cities include many modern concepts that are advocated today, especially in countries with advanced economies, and depend on using information technology and the Internet of Things as a basis to automate processes and activate digital systems to manage activities and services related to the operation of buildings and urban structures. In light of the spread of digital technology and modern managerial approaches, the concept of a digital twin is being used on a large scale with the current trend and direction to digitalize activities providing many economic, social and technical advantages. A digital twin is a system in which a virtual representation of a real entity or physical system is used continuously by being fed with data and deriving outputs in the form of decisions and actions that are generated through the processes of machine learning, simulation, development and lifecycle management. This study aims to review the literature on construction project management through the lens of digital twins and ways to use them in the field to improve operational results. The authors propose a framework for analyzing and supervising the development of digital twins that uses three main stages: the commonly encountered Building Information Modeling (BIM); the existing monitoring and actuation digital twins; and an envisioned third stage that makes use of artificial intelligence, complex visualization instruments and advanced controls with the capability to exact change within a construction project on the building site.