bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Radiomics Provide Additional Diagnostic Value for Identifying Adrenal Lipid-Poor Adenomas From Non-Adenomas on Unenhanced CT?
Authors: Zhang Binhao , Zhang Huangqi , Li Xin , Jin Shengze , Yang Jiawen , Pan Wenting , Dong Xue , Chen Jin , Ji Wenbin
Published: April 2022

Background

It is difficult for radiologists to differentiate adrenal lipid-poor adenomas from non-adenomas; nevertheless, this differentiation is important as the clinical interventions required are different for adrenal lipid-poor adenomas and non-adenomas.

Purpose

To develop an unenhanced computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics model for identifying adrenal lipid-poor adenomas to assist in clinical decision-making.

Materials and methods

Patients with adrenal lesions who underwent CT between January 2015 and August 2021 were retrospectively recruited from two independent institutions. Patients from institution 1 were randomly divided into training and test sets, while those from institution 2 were used as the external validation set. The unenhanced attenuation and tumor diameter were measured to build a conventional model. Radiomics features were extracted from unenhanced CT images, and selected features were used to build a radiomics model. A nomogram model combining the conventional and radiomic features was also constructed. All the models were developed in the training set and validated in the test and external validation sets. The diagnostic performance of the models for identifying adrenal lipid-poor adenomas was compared.

Results

A total of 292 patients with 141 adrenal lipid-poor adenomas and 151 non-adenomas were analyzed. Patients with adrenal lipid-poor adenomas tend to have lower unenhanced attenuation and smoother image textures. In the training set, the areas under the curve of the conventional, radiomic, and nomogram models were 0.94, 0.93, and 0.96, respectively. There was no difference in diagnostic performance between the conventional and nomogram models in all datasets (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our unenhanced CT-based nomogram model could effectively distinguish adrenal lipid-poor adenomas. The diagnostic power of conventional unenhanced CT imaging features may be underestimated, and further exploration is worthy.
Association of Maternal Obesity and Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Monaco-Brown Meredith , Munshi Upender , Horgan Michael Joseph , Gifford Jamie L. , Khalak Rubia
Published: April 2022

Objective

More women are obese at their first prenatal visit and then subsequently gain further weight throughout pregnancy than ever before. The impact on the infant’s development of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) has not been well studied. Using defined physiologic and neurologic criteria, our primary aim was to determine if maternal obesity conferred an additional risk of HIE.

Study Design

Data from the New York State Perinatal Data System of all singleton, term births in the Northeastern New York region were reviewed using the NIH obesity definition (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2). Neurologic and physiologic parameters were used to make the diagnosis of HIE. Physiologic criteria included the presence of an acute perinatal event, 10-min Apgar score ≤ 5, and metabolic acidosis. Neurologic factors included hypotonia, abnormal reflexes, absent or weak suck, hyperalert, or irritable state or evidence of clinical seizures. Therapeutic hypothermia was initiated if the infant met HIE criteria when assessed by the medical team. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of maternal body mass index on the diagnosis of HIE.

Results

In this large retrospective cohort study we evaluated outcomes of 97,488 pregnancies. Infants born to obese mothers were more likely to require ventilatory assistance and have a lower 5-min Apgar score. After adjusting for type of delivery and maternal risk factors, infants of obese mothers were diagnosed with HIE more frequently than infants of non-obese mothers, OR 1.96 (1.33–2.89) (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Infants of obese mothers were significantly more likely to have the diagnosis of HIE.
Hand Hygiene Compliance in Pediatric Emergency of a Lower-Middle Income Country: A Quality Improvement Study
Authors: Angurana Suresh Kumar , Chetal Pooja , Mehta Richa , Suthar Renu , Sundaram Venkataseshan , Singh Ranjana , Kaur Rupinder , Kaur Harinder , Biswal Manisha , Kumar Praveen , Jayashree Muralidharan
Published: April 2022

Background

Prospective data on hand hygiene compliance in pediatric emergency department (PED) settings is limited. We studied the impact of quality improvement measures on the overall and health care personnel wise hand hygiene compliance rates in a busy PED.

Methods

The baseline hand hygiene compliance rates were audited from May–July 2018. The quality improvement interventions included various structural changes to the environment, administrative changes, education and training. During the interventions, auditing was continued for 2 months (August – September 2018). Statistical Process control charts were created.

Results

We observed a significant increase in overall compliance rates from 31.8 to 53.9% (p < 0.001). These improvements were observed in the children (29.6 to 46.4%, p < 0.001) as well as neonatal area (35.7% to 59.7, p < 0.001) of PED as well as amongst various health care personnel and in four out of the five moments of hand hygiene.

Conclusion

Hand hygiene compliance improved significantly in a busy PED of a lower middle-income country following quality improvement interventions. Such improvement was observed amongst all categories of health care personnel and different types of hand hygiene opportunities. This study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of simple quality improvement interventions in a challenging hospital environment.
Delays in Time-To-Antibiotics for Young Febrile Infants With Serious Bacterial Infections: A Prospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Yang Jinghui , Ong Wei Jie , Piragasam Rupini , Allen John Carson , Lee Jan Hau , Chong Shu-Ling
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Fear of missed serious bacterial infections (SBIs) results in many febrile young infants receiving antibiotics. We aimed to compare the time to antibiotics between infants with SBIs and those without.

Materials and Methods

We recruited febrile infants ≤ 90 days old seen in the emergency department (ED) between December 2017 and April 2021. SBI was defined as (1) urinary tract infection, (2) bacteremia or (3) bacterial meningitis. We compared the total time (median with interquartile range, IQR) from ED arrival to infusion of antibiotics, divided into (i) time from triage to decision for antibiotics and (ii) time from decision for antibiotics to administration of antibiotics.

Results

We analyzed 81 and 266 infants with and without SBIs. Median age of those with and without SBIs were 44 (IQR 19–72) and 29 (IQR 7–56) days, respectively (p = 0.002). All infants with SBIs and 168/266 (63.2%) infants without SBIs received antibiotics. Among 249 infants who received antibiotics, the median total time from ED arrival to infusion of antibiotics was 277.0 (IQR 236.0–385.0) mins for infants with SBIs and 304.5 (IQR 238.5–404.0) mins for those without (p = 0.561). The median time to decision for antibiotics was 156.0 (IQR 115.0–255.0) mins and 144.0 (IQR 105.5–211.0) mins, respectively (p = 0.175). Following decision for antibiotics, infants with SBIs received antibiotics much faster compared to those without [107.0 (IQR 83.0–168.0) vs. 141.0 (94.0–209.5) mins, p = 0.017].

Conclusion

There was no difference in total time taken to antibiotics between infants with SBIs and without SBIs. Both recognition and administration delays were observed. While all infants with SBIs were adequately treated, more than half of the infants without SBIs received unnecessary antibiotics. This highlights the challenge in managing young febrile infants at initial presentation, and demonstrates the need to examine various aspects of care to improve the overall timeliness to antibiotics.
Analysis of the Global Disease Burden of Down Syndrome Using YLDs, YLLs, and DALYs Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Data
Authors: Bu Qingting , Qiang Rong , Cheng Hua , Wang Anmin , Chen Huangtao , Pan Zhenyu
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to determine Down syndrome (DS) burden using years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and the trends in these parameters.

Methods

We obtained the annual YLDs, YLLs, DALYs, and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of DS from 2010 to 2019 using the Global Health Data Exchange tool. The estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) in ASR were used to quantify and evaluate DS burden trends. Gaussian-process regression and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to assess the relationship between DS burden and socio-demographic index (SDI).

Results

Global DALYs decreased by 2.68% from 2010 to 2019 but the ASR was stable, which was mostly explained by the stability in the ASR for YLLs. The ASR of YLDs showed an increasing trend (EAPC = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.45 to 1.69). There was notable regional imbalance, with most of the DALYs or ASRs in areas with relatively low SDI. The DALY rates of DS were mostly from the YLLs of children younger than 1 year. Lower SDI areas tended to have higher DS burdens (ρ = −0.3, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This systematic analysis of the global disease burden of DS from 2010 to 2019 revealed that although the global DS DALY and YLL rate is stable, the YLD rate is increasing. And the DS burden varies significantly differences among regions or countries. The present results suggest that future strategies should focus on DS-related deaths in children younger than 1 year and the DS burden in low-SDI regions or countries, since this may be effective in further reducing DS burden.
Age-Dependent Effects of Chronic Stress on Zebrafish Behavior and Regeneration
Authors: Henríquez Martínez Angie , Ávila Laura C. , Pulido María A. , Ardila Yeferzon A. , Akle Veronica , Bloch Natasha I.
Published: April 2022

Stress can have a significant impact on many aspects of an organism’s physiology and behavior. However, the relationship between stress and regeneration, and how this relationship changes with age remains poorly understood. Here, we subjected young and old zebrafish to a chronic stress protocol and evaluated the impact of stress exposure on multiple measures of zebrafish behavior, specifically thigmotaxis (open field test) and scototaxis (light/dark preference test), and on regeneration ability after partial tail amputation. We found evidence that young and older adult fish are differentially impacted by stress. Only young fish showed a significant change in anxiety-like behaviors after being exposed to chronic stress, while their regeneration ability was not affected by the stress protocol. On the other hand, older fish regenerated their caudal fin significantly slower compared to young fish, but their behavior remained unaffected after being exposed to stress. We further investigated the expression of two candidate genes (nlgn1 and sam2) expressed in the central nervous system, and known to be associated with stress and anxiety-like behavior. The expression of stress-related gene candidate sam2 increased in the brain of older individuals exposed to stress. Our results suggest there is a close relationship between chronic stress, regeneration, and behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio), and that the impact of stress is age-dependent.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Response to Salinity Challenge in Larvae of the Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Wang Yakun , Wei Jie , Hong Kunhao , Zhou Nan , Liu Xiaoli , Hong Xiaoyou , Li Wei , Zhao Jian , Chen Chen , Wu Liang , Yu Lingyun , Zhu Xinping
Published: April 2022

Salinity is a crucial factor influencing the growth, development, immunity, and reproduction of aquatic organisms; however, little is known about the molecular mechanism of the response to salinity challenge in larvae of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Herein, larvae cultured in three treatment groups with salinities of 10, 13, and 16‰ (S10, S13, and S16) were collected, and then transcriptome analysis was conducted by RNA-seq. A total of 6,473, 3,830 and 3,584 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the S10 vs. S13 comparison, S10 vs. S16 comparison and S13 vs. S16 comparison, respectively. These genes are involved in osmoregulation, energy metabolism, molting, and the immune response. qPCR analysis was used to detect the expression patterns of 16 DEGs to verify the accuracy of the transcriptome data. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis for DEGs and microsatellite marker screening were also conducted to reveal the molecular mechanism of salinity regulation. Together, our results will provide insight into the molecular genetic basis of adaptation to salinity challenge for larvae of M. rosenbergii.
The Neuronal Circuit of the Dorsal Circadian Clock Neurons in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Reinhard Nils , Schubert Frank K. , Bertolini Enrico , Hagedorn Nicolas , Manoli Giulia , Sekiguchi Manabu , Yoshii Taishi , Rieger Dirk , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte
Published: April 2022

Drosophila’s dorsal clock neurons (DNs) consist of four clusters (DN1as, DN1ps, DN2s, and DN3s) that largely differ in size. While the DN1as and the DN2s encompass only two neurons, the DN1ps consist of ∼15 neurons, and the DN3s comprise ∼40 neurons per brain hemisphere. In comparison to the well-characterized lateral clock neurons (LNs), the neuroanatomy and function of the DNs are still not clear. Over the past decade, numerous studies have addressed their role in the fly’s circadian system, leading to several sometimes divergent results. Nonetheless, these studies agreed that the DNs are important to fine-tune activity under light and temperature cycles and play essential roles in linking the output from the LNs to downstream neurons that control sleep and metabolism. Here, we used the Flybow system, specific split-GAL4 lines, trans-Tango, and the recently published fly connectome (called hemibrain) to describe the morphology of the DNs in greater detail, including their synaptic connections to other clock and non-clock neurons. We show that some DN groups are largely heterogenous. While certain DNs are strongly connected with the LNs, others are mainly output neurons that signal to circuits downstream of the clock. Among the latter are mushroom body neurons, central complex neurons, tubercle bulb neurons, neurosecretory cells in the pars intercerebralis, and other still unidentified partners. This heterogeneity of the DNs may explain some of the conflicting results previously found about their functionality. Most importantly, we identify two putative novel communication centers of the clock network: one fiber bundle in the superior lateral protocerebrum running toward the anterior optic tubercle and one fiber hub in the posterior lateral protocerebrum. Both are invaded by several DNs and LNs and might play an instrumental role in the clock network.
Heterogeneous Nitrogen Supply With High Frequency and Ramet Damage Increases the Benefits of Clonal Integration in Invasive Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Authors: Sun Kai , Cai Jing-Fang , Zhang Yu , Mu Ya-Nan , A Si-Ha , Shen Yi-Luan , Yang Li-Juan , Li Hong-Li
Published: April 2022

Nitrogen (N) deposition significantly affects the growth and the function of invasive clonal plants. However, the effects of heterogeneous N supply with different frequencies on the growth and the potential contribution of clonal integration in invasion plants are still unclear, especially in the complex environment considering ramet damage. To address this question, apical and basal ramets of the clonal invader Hydrocotyle vulgaris were connected or disconnected, N was added to the basal ramets with a high frequency, a low frequency, or no supply, and the total N quantity was the same for the different frequency. Furthermore, 8 aphids were placed on the apical ramets, and 30% of each leaf was cut off to cause damage. The connection between ramets significantly increased the biomass, total carbon (C), and total N of the basal and apical ramets. Higher frequency N supply significantly increased the biomass, total C, and total N of the basal ramets and the entire clonal fragment biomass. The damage had no significant effect on the growth of basal and apical ramets. Especially, under the high N frequency and ramet damage condition, the connection between ramets more significantly increased the biomass, total C, and total N of the apical ramets and the entire clonal fragment biomass. In addition, the uptake rates of 15NH4+ and 15NO3- in H. vulgaris had no significant difference, and N supply increased the uptake rates of 15NH4+ and 15NO3- of the basal ramets. Our results suggest that both higher frequency N supply and clonal integration are beneficial to the growth of H. vulgaris. Moreover, the heterogeneous N supply with high frequency and ramet damage increases the benefits of clonal integration in H. vulgaris. These findings improve our understanding of the response of clonal invader H. vulgaris to nitrogen deposition and ramet damage.
The Pomegranate Deciduous Trait Is Genetically Controlled by a PgPolyQ-MADS Gene
Authors: Harel-Beja Rotem , Ophir Ron , Sherman Amir , Eshed Ravit , Rozen Ada , Trainin Taly , Doron-Faigenboim Adi , Tal Ofir , Bar-Yaakov Irit , Holland Doron
Published: April 2022

The pomegranate (Punica granatumL.) is a deciduous fruit tree that grows worldwide. However, there are variants, which stay green in mild winter conditions and are determined evergreen. The evergreen trait is of commercial and scientific importance as it extends the period of fruit production and provides opportunity to identify genetic functions that are involved in sensing environmental cues. Several different evergreen pomegranate accessions from different genetic sources grow in the Israeli pomegranate collection. The leaves of deciduous pomegranates begin to lose chlorophyll during mid of September, while evergreen accessions continue to generate new buds. When winter temperature decreases 10°C, evergreen variants cease growing, but as soon as temperatures arise budding starts, weeks before the response of the deciduous varieties. In order to understand the genetic components that control the evergreen/deciduous phenotype, several segregating populations were constructed, and high-resolution genetic maps were assembled. Analysis of three segregating populations showed that the evergreen/deciduous trait in pomegranate is controlled by one major gene that mapped to linkage group 3. Fine mapping with advanced F3 and F4 populations and data from the pomegranate genome sequences revealed that a gene encoding for a putative and unique MADS transcription factor (PgPolyQ-MADS) is responsible for the evergreen trait. Ectopic expression ofPgPolyQ-MADSin Arabidopsis generated small plants and early flowering. The deduced protein ofPgPolyQ-MADSincludes eight glutamines (polyQ) at the N-terminus. Three-dimensional protein model suggests that the polyQ domain structure might be involved in DNA binding of PgMADS. Interestingly, all the evergreen pomegranate varieties contain a mutation within the polyQ that cause a stop codon at the N terminal. The polyQ domain of PgPolyQ–MADS resembles that of the ELF3 prion-like domain recently reported to act as a thermo-sensor in Arabidopsis, suggesting that similar function could be attributed to PgPolyQ-MADS protein in control of dormancy. The study of the evergreen trait broadens our understanding of the molecular mechanism related to response to environmental cues. This enables the development of new cultivars that are better adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions.
An Exploratory Feasibility Study of Incorporating Volunteering Into Treatment for Adolescent Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Ballard Parissa J. , Daniel Stephanie S. , Anderson Grace , Koehler Aubry N. , Caballero Quinones Elimarie , Strahley Ashley , Nicolotti Linda M.
Published: April 2022

Community volunteering is an under-utilized, at least under-researched, strategy to supplement existing treatment for affective disorders. We present findings from a feasibility study incorporating community volunteering into clinical treatment for depression and anxiety among adolescents and young adults. This exploratory pilot study had four aims: to investigate recruitment feasibility; to describe participants’ experiences with volunteering; to explore psychosocial assets by which volunteering might decrease depressive and anxiety symptoms; and to document preliminary changes in mental health outcomes before and after the volunteering intervention. Interviews and surveys were employed with participants (N = 9; ages 14–20, Mage = 16 years old; eight women and one man) newly diagnosed with: mild to moderate depression (single episode), mild to moderate anxiety, or adjustment disorder. Recruitment was feasible overall, successes and challenges are discussed. Experiences with volunteering were very positive. Qualitative findings revealed perceived positive effects of volunteering on mood and well-being such as helping with social anxiety and being a positive distraction. Qualitative findings revealed several psychosocial assets that improved related to volunteering (e.g., sense of purpose/meaning and sense of community). On average, participants reported a 19% decrease in depressive symptoms from the pre-survey (before volunteering) to the post-survey (after volunteering). Although more research is warranted, the implication of this study for practicing psychologists treating adolescents and young adults for mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety is that they may wish to consider incorporating community volunteer activities into treatment. Volunteering was a desirable activity for interested participants in treatment for affective disorders.
Effect of Frugality and Cognition on Forest Health Tourism Intention–A Mediating Effect Analysis Based on Multigroup Comparison
Authors: Li Ying , Han Qiang , Wen Ting
Published: April 2022

At present, the market demand for forest health tourism is weak. The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether frugality inhibits the intention of forest health tourism and whether the positive effect of cognition on the intention of forest health tourism can compensate for the inhibition of frugality. Based on mental account theory and planned behavior theory, this study constructs a structural equation model with intermediary variables—health consumption mental account and forest health consumption attitude. According to the results of the path analysis of the data, which was collected through the questionnaire survey of urban residents, the positive influence of cognition can compensate for the inhibitory effect of frugality. On this basis, mediating effect analysis based on multigroup comparison is further carried out. This study verifies for the first time the inhibitory effect of frugality on the intention for forest health tourism, enriches the theoretical system of tourism consumer behavior, and provides a scientific basis for the market positioning of forest health and the formulation of marketing strategies.
Enactive-Dynamic Social Cognition and Active Inference
Authors: Hipólito Inês , van Es Thomas
Published: April 2022

This aim of this paper is two-fold: it critically analyses and rejects accounts blending active inference as theory of mind and enactivism; and it advances an enactivist-dynamic understanding of social cognition that is compatible with active inference. While some social cognition theories seemingly take an enactive perspective on social cognition, they explain it as the attribution of mental states to other people, by assuming representational structures, in line with the classic Theory of Mind (ToM). Holding both enactivism and ToM, we argue, entails contradiction and confusion due to two ToM assumptions widely known to be rejected by enactivism: that (1) social cognition reduces to mental representation and (2) social cognition is a hardwired contentful ‘toolkit’ or ‘starter pack’ that fuels the model-like theorising supposed in (1). The paper offers a positive alternative, one that avoids contradictions or confusion. After rejecting ToM-inspired theories of social cognition and clarifying the profile of social cognition under enactivism, that is without assumptions (1) and (2), the last section advances an enactivist-dynamic model of cognition as dynamic, real-time, fluid, contextual social action, where we use the formalisms of dynamical systems theory to explain the origins of socio-cognitive novelty in developmental change and active inference as a tool to demonstrate social understanding as generalised synchronisation.
Toward Technology-Based Education and English as a Foreign Language Motivation: A Review of Literature
Authors: Wei Yi
Published: April 2022

This review examined the studies on the role of technology-based English as a foreign language (EFL) academic motivation. A significant positive correlation between academic motivation and educational technology use has been approved in related studies. However, there is a dire need for studying the effect of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on learners’ motivation. The literature showed that purposeful attractiveness, effectiveness, and usefulness of digital instruments can positively affect learner motivation. There are also some reasons for increasing learner motivation in educational technology contexts, such as learners’ integration with the community, familiarising with different societies and cultures, input flooding opportunities, engagement in academic contexts, and interaction with native speakers. In the end, the paedagogical implications are expounded to promote the learners’ grit and diminish anxiety for better performance. This review also provides suggestions for further research to clarify our perspective on emotional variables like motivation.
Dyadic Interdependence in Non-spousal Caregiving Dyads’ Wellbeing: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ferraris Giulia , Dang Srishti , Woodford Joanne , Hagedoorn Mariët
Published: April 2022

Caregiving dyads (i.e., an informal caregiver and a care recipient) work as an interdependent emotional system, whereby it is assumed that what happens to one member of the dyad essentially happens to the other. For example, both members of the dyad are involved in care giving and care receiving experiences and therefore major life events, such as a serious illness affect the dyad and not only the individual. Consequently, informal caregiving may be considered an example of dyadic interdependence, which is “the process by which interacting people influence one another’s experience.” This systematic review aimed to synthesize studies of dyadic interdependence, specifically in non-spousal caregiving dyads (e.g., adult children—parents, siblings, other relatives, or friends). Electronic databases (PsycINFO, Pubmed, and CINAHL) were systematically searched for dyadic studies reporting on interdependence in the emotional and relational wellbeing of non-spousal caregiving dyads. A total of 239 full-text studies were reviewed, of which 14 quantitative and qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria with a majority of dyads consisting of adult daughters caring for their older mothers. A narrative synthesis suggested mutual influences between non-spousal caregiving dyad members based on: (1) associations between intrapersonal (e.g., psychological functioning) and interpersonal (e.g., relationship processes) variables and emotional and relational wellbeing of the dyad; (2) associations between care context variables (e.g., socio-demographics and care tasks) and emotional and relational wellbeing of the dyad; and (3) patterns of covariation between caregivers’ and care recipients’ wellbeing. Evidence supporting dyadic interdependence among non-spousal caregiving dyads shed light on the ways dyad members influence each other’s wellbeing while providing and receiving care (e.g., via the exchange of support). Future studies investigating mutual influences in dyads, should differentiate subsamples of caregivers based on relationship type, and adopt dyadic and longitudinal designs.

Systematic Review Registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails], identifier [CRD42021213147].
Why Mental Illness Diagnoses Are Wrong: A Pilot Study on the Perspectives of the Public
Authors: Chao Yi-Sheng , Wu Chao-Jung , Lai Yi-Chun , Hsu Hui-Ting , Cheng Yen-Po , Wu Hsing-Chien , Huang Shih-Yu , Chen Wei-Chih
Published: April 2022

Background

Mental illness diagnostic criteria are made based on assumptions. This pilot study aims to assess the public’s perspectives on mental illness diagnoses and these assumptions.

Methods

An anonymous survey with 30 questions was made available online in 2021. Participants were recruited via social media, and no personal information was collected. Ten questions focused on participants’ perceptions regarding mental illness diagnoses, and 20 questions related to the assumptions of mental illness diagnoses. The participants’ perspectives on these assumptions held by professionals were assessed.

Results

Among 14 survey participants, 4 correctly answered the relationships of 6 symptom pairs (28.57%). Two participants could not correctly conduct the calculations involved in mood disorder diagnoses (14.29%). Eleven (78.57%) correctly indicated that 2 or more sets of criteria were available for single diagnoses of mental illnesses. Only 1 (7.14%) correctly answered that the associations between symptoms and diagnoses were supported by including symptoms in the diagnostic criteria of the diagnoses. Nine (64.29%) correctly answered that the diagnosis variances were not fully explained by their symptoms. The confidence of participants in the major depressive disorder diagnosis and the willingness to take medications for this diagnosis were the same (mean = 5.50, standard deviation [SD] = 2.31). However, the confidence of participants in the symptom-based diagnosis of non-solid brain tumor was significantly lower (mean = 1.62, SD = 2.33, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study found that mental illness diagnoses are wrong from the perspectives of the public because our participants did not agree with all the assumptions professionals make about mental illness diagnoses. Only a minority of our participants obtained correct answers to the calculations involved in mental illness diagnoses. In the literature, neither patients nor the public have been engaged in formulating the diagnostic criteria of mental illnesses.
Sex/Gender as a Factor That Influences Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment Outcome: Three Potential Biological Explanations
Authors: Hanlon Colleen A. , McCalley Daniel M.
Published: April 2022

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique which is now being used in psychiatry clinics across the world as a therapeutic tool for a variety of neural-circuit based disorders (e.g., major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, headache, pain). The higher volume of use and publication of multiple large-scale clinical trials has provided researchers with a unique opportunity to retrospectively evaluate factors influencing TMS treatment responses in large samples of patients. While many studies have focused on TMS protocol parameters as moderators of treatment efficacy, sex/gender is another critical, often overlooked factor influencing TMS treatment outcome. Women, especially during periods of high estradiol, appear to be particularly sensitive to the therapeutic effects of rTMS. This manuscript makes a case for three potential biological explanations for these findings. Drawing on literature from cranio-facial anatomy, neuroimaging, and neuroendocrine fields, we posit that observed increases in response rates of women in clinical rTMS trials may be related to: (1) Closer proximity of the brain to the scalp at the prefrontal cortex, leading to larger TMS induced electric fields especially at the medial prefrontal cortex, (2) Greater gray matter density and gyrification in the prefrontal cortex, and (3) High levels of estradiol which facilitate cortical excitability. These biological explanations are empirical ideas which have been evaluated in laboratory studies and lend themselves to prospective evaluation in multisite clinical rTMS trials. The existing literature on this topic and these three potential biological explanations all indicate that the TMS field should routinely evaluate sex/gender (and associated biological metrics like scalp-to-cortex distance, gray matter density, estradiol/progesterone levels) as a factor that may influence treatment outcome.
The Need for Parental Support for Migrant Parents in Transition Into Sweden: A Perspective
Authors: Mangrio Elisabeth , Enskär Karin , Ramji Rathi , Sjögren-Forss Katarina , Tengland Per-Anders , Theodoridis Kyriakos , Zdravkovic Slobodan , Rämgård Margareta
Published: April 2022

Migration is a stressful experience and research shows that newly arrived migrants in Sweden suffer from different challenges and struggle to relate to parenting in a new culture that is different from their own. The Swedish Child Health Services (CHS) focuses on promoting health among children, as well as supporting parents in parenting. Although this is a goal, migrant parents participate at lower rates in parental support groups. This paper aims to discuss how the Swedish CHS can support these families and address the need for improvement in the parental support offered to migrant parents during transition into their host country. In addition, this paper also aims to review and discuss the advantages of using a community-based participatory research approach together with the Swedish CHS to identify and apply culturally appropriate support programs to increase health literacy among migrant parents. The Swedish government decided to place greater emphasis and resources on supporting parents and promoting equal health among families in Sweden, with special emphasis on migrants and other vulnerable groups. This report from the Swedish government indicates the importance of creating knowledge about new ways, methods, and actions that may be needed to increase this support. One suggestion of this paper is to provide culturally appropriate healthcare work using a community-based participatory research approach, where migrant parents themselves are actively involved in the development of support programs. This approach will not only provide migrant families knowledge and support, it will also build on their needs and the challenges they can share, and receive support to overcome.
The Role of Urban Environment Design on Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review
Authors: Faedda Sara , Plaisant Alessandro , Talu Valentina , Tola Giulia
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the ways and times of living and using urban spaces, specifically referring to the dimension of daily life. The restrictive measures introduced during the lockdown periods have necessarily led to a re-evaluation of proximity scale bringing particularly attention to issues relating to public transport and mobility and to the quality and distribution of open public spaces. This scoping review explores the relationship between the urban environment design and health referring to the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the period from 2020 to 2021, with two main objectives: (i) to investigate the recurring urban design topics and issues related to the spatial and social needs stressed by the emergency; (ii) to identify the urban design measures both experienced during the health emergency and proposed in view of a post-COVID urban and territorial planning as they are considered impactful on health promotion. The search strategy was based on a set of keywords searched in two electronic databases which allowed the identification of a total of 1,135 contributions. After defining the eligibility criteria, we proceeded to the screening process concluded with the inclusion of 19 studies. The analysis of the contributions led to the systematization of six main urban topics—and to the corresponding spatial requirements and project proposals—highlighted as relevant and supportive in terms of the promotion of inhabitant's public health: (i) transport, mobility and accessibility; (ii) green and outdoor spaces; (iii) public and pedestrians' spaces; (iv) care services and health network; (v) communications; (vi) public and business services. The resulting framework is useful for guiding healthy city planning toward public policies, tools, regulations, urban measures, and emergency contrast provisions, that contribute to increasing the effectiveness in terms of safety and well-being.
How Is Connectedness With Nature Linked to Life Satisfaction or Depression Among Chinese People Living in Rural Low-Income Households? A Serial Mediation Model
Authors: Yang Chunyu , Chen Xiaoyan , Yao Jun , An Jing
Published: April 2022

Objectives

In this study a serial multiple mediation model is tested to investigate the potential sequentially-mediating effect of affect balance and social cohesion on the association between connectedness to nature and life satisfaction or depression.

Methods

A total of 675 Chinese people from Jiangsu province living in rural low-income households participated in the study. The Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS), the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), the Social cohesion scale (SCS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ9) were measured in this paper.

Results

Results indicated that the multiple serial mediation of affect balance and social cohesion on the association between connectedness to nature and life satisfaction was significant among the full-size sample, the adult-report, and the old people report, but that this effect is relatively small. Specifically, serial mediation accounted for 2.01, 1.69, 2.67% of the total effect explained by connectedness to nature on life satisfaction, while it accounted for 2.66, 2.35, 2.91% of the total effect explained by connectedness to nature on depression among the full sample population, adults, and old people, respectively.

Conclusions

The findings corroborate the important roles of affect balance and social cohesion in activating connectedness to nature. We discussed the possible ways that affect balance and social cohesion might enhance life satisfaction and decrease depression for Chinese people living in rural low-income households. We also discussed the limitations of this study. More mechanisms could be considered in future studies.
Pain Among Latvian Workers: General Prevalence vs. Registered Occupational Diseases
Authors: Kaluznaja Darja , Reste Jelena , Vanadzins Ivars , Lakisa Svetlana , Eglite Maija
Published: April 2022

The problem of painful and disabling work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is increasing in many employment sectors of Latvia. Official statistics may underestimate the proportion of affected employees, causing delays in preventive interventions, ineffective rehabilitation, and a reduction of the workforce. This study investigated the prevalence of painful health conditions among Latvian workers by analyzing survey data and comparing these to official statistics on registered occupational diseases (ODs). A total of 2,446 workers participated in the state-level “Work conditions and risks in Latvia, 2017–2018” survey that included questions about pain lasting longer than 3 days during the previous year. The frequency of subjective reports on the presence, severity, and location of pain and related behaviors was assessed in relation to sex, age, education, and job position. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulation with the chi-squared test as well as multinomial logistic regression were applied to the data. Overall, 27.7% of respondents (n = 678) reported experiencing pain, predominantly in the lower back (14.3%) and mostly moderate (47.1%) or severe (45.1%). Only one-fifth of respondents (20.5%) took sick leave from work and one-third (29.0%) did not take action to alleviate their pain. Participants aged 55–74 years had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for pain in at least one body region—including hands and legs—than those aged 18–24 years. Women had significantly higher odds of headache (OR = 2.55) and neck pain (OR = 1.85) than men. Respondents with a primary or elementary education level had higher odds of pain in at least one body region (OR = 1.60) and in the lower back (OR = 1.86), while those with secondary education had higher odds of pain in hands (OR = 1.51) than employees with higher education. Unskilled workers had significantly higher odds of pain in hands (OR = 2.42) and legs (OR = 2.12) than directors. Official data revealed a dramatic increase in the proportion of MSDs and related disabilities in the last decade, reaching 75.5% of all first registered ODs in 2019. These results demonstrate a high prevalence of painful conditions among Latvian employees; urgent attention to diagnostics, treatment, and prevention is needed to ensure the musculoskeletal health and productivity of this population.
Teaching Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Tailoring Virtual Learning for Public Health and Cancer Health Disparities Education
Authors: Moralez Ernesto A. , Boren Rachel L. , Lebel Deanna L. , Drennan Marilyn , Olvera Destiny R. , Thompson Beti
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted higher education institutions in the United States (US). Given the dangers of close social interaction in spreading COVID-19, colleges and universities closed their campuses to minimize and often restrict face-to-face instruction of any kind, including supplemental skill development training and experiential learning. In exchange, higher education institutions implemented online learning strategies to continue education for students, including in-person experiential field experiences. This paper describes the adaptation of an in-person experiential field experience into an eight-day virtual workshop as a result of COVID-19 restrictions along with results from participant surveys evaluating pre-and post-test changes in knowledge and their overall assessment of the virtual workshop. This workshop, the Public Health and Cancer Research Workshop (PHCRW), was tailored for students from health-related graduate programs with the primary goal of introducing students to the causes and impacts of cancer disparities in the US/Mexico border region and research related to mitigating those disparities. The course facilitators added a professional development curriculum necessary for student success and the pursuit of advanced degrees such as academic/job interviewing skills and scientific and grant writing. The objectives were for students to (1) understand introductory and intermediate curriculum on public health, cancer, and cancer research; (2) examine the interrelationships among factors impacting public health problems; (3) describe the components of the research process; (4) describe various components of scientific writing; and (5) demonstrate professional strategies associated with school admission and employment. Students completed pre-and post- self-assessments that indicated gains in knowledge about cancer topics, particularly cancer prevention strategies (Mpre = 3.43; Mpost = 4.43), social determinants associated with cancer (Mpre = 3.29; Mpost = 4.43), and cancer rates by characteristics (Mpre = 3.43; Mpost = 4.43). Additionally, students overwhelmingly stated that they appreciated the opportunity to supplement their educational experience in a virtual format. Though the virtual format proved challenging in some respects, students expressed high satisfaction with the workshop. In addition to achieving the goals, the workshop successfully increased students' skills, knowledge, and self-confidence. Despite the last-minute adaptation of the PHCRW, students' satisfaction indicated that this program was an overall success.
Medicine Drug Name Detection Based Object Recognition Using Augmented Reality
Authors: Rupa Ch. , Srivastava Gautam , Ganji Bharath , Tatiparthi Sai Praveen , Maddala Karthik , Koppu Srinivas , Chun-Wei Lin Jerry
Published: April 2022

Augmented Reality (AR) is an innovation that empowers us in coordinating computerized data into the client's real-world space. It offers an advanced and progressive methodology for medicines, providing medication training. AR aids in surgery planning, and patient therapy discloses complex medical circumstances to patients and their family members. With accelerated upgrades in innovation, the ever-increasing number of medical records get accessible, which contain a lot of sensitive medical data, similar to medical substances and relations between them. To exploit the clinical texts in these data, it is important to separate significant data from these texts. Drugs, along with some kind of the fundamental clinical components, additionally should be perceived. Drug name recognition (DNR) tries to recognize drugs specified in unstructured clinical texts and order them into predefined classifications, which is utilized to deliver a connected 3D model inside the present reality client space. This work shows the utilization of AR to give an active and visual representation of data about medicines and their applications. The proposed method is a mobile application that uses a native camera and optical character recognition algorithm (OCR) to extract the text on the medicines. The extracted text is over and above processed using natural language processing (NLP) tools which are then used to identify the generic name and category of the drug using the dedicated DNR database. The database used for the system is scraped using various resources of medical studies and is named a medi-drug database from a development standpoint. 3D model prepared particularly for the drug is then presented in AR using ArCore. The results obtained are encouraging. The proposed method can detect the text with an average time of 0.005 s and can produce the visual representation of the output with an average time of 1.5 s.
Application of Smart Healthcare in Comparative Analysis of Effect of Early External Fixator and Plate Internal Fixation Treatment on Postoperative Complications and Lower Limb Function Recovery of Patients With Unstable Pelvic Fracture
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Sun Fang , Li Yao
Published: April 2022

Objective

To comparatively analyze the effect of early external fixator and plate internal fixation treatment on postoperative complications and lower limb function recovery of patients with unstable pelvic fracture based on smart healthcare.

Methods

The clinical data of 98 patients with unstable pelvic fractures treated in our hospital from August 2018 to August 2021 were collected for retrospective analysis, and the patients were split into group A (plate internal fixation, n = 49) and group B (early external fixator treatment, n = 49) according to the surgical modalities. The time of operation, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, etc. were compared between the two groups.

Results

Between the two groups, group B had significantly better clinical indicators (P < 0.001), a greatly higher good rate of fracture reduction and postoperative Harris score (P < 0.05), and obviously lower VAS score and total incidence rate of postoperative complications (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Through the analysis based on smart healthcare, it is found that compared with plate internal fixation treatment, early external fixator treatment presents a better effect in treating patients with unstable pelvic fracture, because it is a reliable method to accelerate fracture healing, reduce postoperative complications, and improve lower limb function.