bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic susceptibility and phenotypic profile of Staphylococcus species isolated from different clinical samples from health facilities: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Anwar Khanda Abdulateef , Saadalla Shyar Mustafa , Muhammad Amin Aran Jabar , Ahmed Shad Mahdi , Qadir Mina Kawa
Published: December 2024

Background:

Staphylococcus species are widely distributed in nature and found in various human body sites.

Objectives:

To determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus species isolated from different clinical samples.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 clinical specimens from conveniently sampled patients seeking healthcare at two health facilities in sulaimani / Iraq. Bacterial isolation and identification were done using conventional techniques, after which the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus species commonly prescribed antibiotics used in treating infections at the facilities was done using the disc diffusion method. Finally, MecA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and macrolides-lincosamide and streptogramin genes with mupirocin-resistant, beta-lactamase and vancomycin-resistance phenotypes were identified.

Results:

Staphylococcus aureus was the prevalent isolated species ( n = 197, 49.3%), followed by Staphylococcus hemolyticus ( n = 115, 28.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis ( n = 49, 12.3%), Staphylococcus hominis ( n = 9.0, 2.3%), Staphylococcus sciuri ( n = 8.0, 2.0%) and Staphylococcus lentus ( n = 4.0, 1.0%). All isolated species resisted Penicillin G, Ampicillin, Cefotaxime and Cefoxitin. Most of the isolates, 89.5% ( n = 358) had the beta-lactamase phenotype, 18.0% ( n = 72) had the MecA gene, 2.8% ( n = 11) the Mupirocin-resistant phenotype, and 2.0% ( n = 8.0) the vancomycin-resistance phenotype. Additionally, 12 isolates had both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (66.7%) and macrolides-lincosamide and streptogramin (65.2%) genes. The majority of the patients, 43% ( n = 172) were >50 years old and 52.25% ( n = 209) males. Also, most samples were from patients with urinary tract infection ( n = 73), wound ( n = 71), blood ( n = 35), sputum ( n = 29), pus ( n = 28), seminal fluid ( n = 27), cerebrospinal fluid ( n = 1.0) and stool ( n = 1.0). Most isolates that had the MSLb gene were highly significantly resistant to both Clindamycin (94.6%) and Erythromycin (84.7%) ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant Staphylococcus species isolated from the clinical samples, most of which were resistant to most commonly prescribed antibiotics and had developed resistant genes and phenotypes.
Physical Frailty and Functional Status in Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Karnabi Priscilla , Massicotte-Azarniouch David , Marshall Shawn , Knoll Greg A.
Published: December 2024

Background:

Frailty and functional decline are being recognized as important conditions in kidney transplant candidates. However, the ideal measures of functional status and frailty remain unknown as there is not a complete understanding of the relationship between these conditions and important post-transplant outcomes.

Objective:

The objective was to examine the association between different measures of frailty and functional status evaluated before or at the time of transplant with adverse clinical outcomes post-transplantation.

Design:

This study is a systematic review.

Setting:

Observational studies including cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional studies examining the effect of frailty and functional status on clinical outcomes. There were no restrictions on type of setting or country of origin.

Patients:

Adults who were waitlisted for kidney transplant or had received a kidney transplant.

Measurements:

Data including demographic information (eg, sample size, age, country), assessments of frailty or functional status and their domains, and outcomes including mortality, transplantation, graft loss, delayed graft function and hospital readmission were extracted.

Methods:

A search was performed in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials. Studies were included from inception to February 7, 2023. The eligibility of studies was screened by 2 independent reviewers. Data were presented by frailty/functional status instrument and clinical outcome. Point estimates and 95% confidence intervals from fully adjusted statistical models were reported or calculated from the raw data.

Results:

A total of 50 studies were identified, among which 36 unique instruments were found. Measurements of these instruments occurred mostly at time of kidney transplant, transplant evaluation, and waitlisting. The median sample size of studies was 457 patients (interquartile range = 183-1760). Frailty and lower functional status were associated with an increased risk for mortality. Similar trends were observed among other clinical outcomes such as graft loss and rehospitalization.

Limitations:

The heterogeneity in measurement instruments, study designs, and outcome definitions prevents pooling of the data. Selection bias and the validity of data collection could not be ascertained for some studies.

Conclusion:

Frailty and functional status measures are important predictors of post-kidney transplant outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the best instruments to assess frailty and functional status, and importantly, interventional studies are needed to determine whether prehabilitation strategies can improve post-transplant outcomes.

Registration (PROSPERO):

CRD42016045251.
“We Make Them Our Kin”: Australian Older Adult’s Playful Kinship Practices Through Sharing Animal Images on Social Media
Authors: McGrane Caitlin , Hjorth Larissa , Murray Peta
Published: December 2024

Pets, companion animals, and “more-than-human” kin play important roles in people’s lives. Animals are familiar and familial—they are often integral family members and can help create communities beyond the family unit. People rely on their pets for emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. More recently, research into the role of animals in the lives of older adults has come into focus, especially through the visibilities and visualities of social media. The significance of animals in the lives of older adults in conjunction with the storification and sharing potential of social media leads us to ask: What do the practices of pet image sharing on social media reflect about ideas of aging and human and more-than-human kinship? In this article, we draw on ethnographic and interview data conducted with Australian older adults (65 years and above) about how and why they share images of their pets on social media. How do these visualities represent the feelings, care practices, and experiences of older adults and the value of the more-than-humans in their lives? This article seeks to contribute to social media literature by engaging with the under-explored lives of older adults and how their sharing practices reflect shifting relationalities between older adults and their pets.
Bodies, Brands, and Bullies: Culture Jamming and the Livestreaming of Engagement
Authors: Murphy David , Jarrett Joshua
Published: December 2024

This article uses a case study of an anti-brand protest that was livestreamed on Twitch to develop a media and cultural studies framework for conceptualizing livestreaming platforms as mechanisms that extract engagement and discoverability value from cultural noise. It begins with a review of several fields of literature: branding, media activism, and culture jamming; livestreaming and affective labor; and social media platforms, affective economies, and noise. Then, it synthesizes this literature into a conceptualization of livestreaming’s cultural product and form, connecting its product to the extraction of engagement metrics from affective economies and its form to the affective labor that livestreamers are performing for the purposes of developing personal brands. Finally, it connects the record-setting viewership numbers the Hogwarts Legacy protest created for Twitch to an affective economy of joy, sadness, anger, and nostalgia, focusing specifically on how this economy became a driver of engagement and discoverability value for a transmedia brand.
Affective Affordances, Networked Status Quo, and Climate Communication: An Analysis of the Mobilization of Affect on Facebook
Authors: Rathnayake Chamil , Winter Jenifer Sunrise
Published: December 2024

This study achieves two objectives: (1) define two specific affordances—affective embedding and rendering—capturing the connection between affect and social media affordances from the perspectives of designers and end-users, and (2) examine the mobilization of affective reactions with an emphasis on the intersection between affective affordances and the networked status quo. A sample of 253,489 Facebook posts that contained key terms related to climate change is analyzed using a series of log-log models to examine the mobilization of affective reactions. We argue that possibilities for rendering affect using the Facebook reaction menu are nested within affective embedding and general platform affordances. Empirical analysis examines a two-step logic where the networked status quo determines content exposure, leading to content replication. Although affective reactions are primarily driven by content reach, the analysis reveals variations among six types of Facebook pages in terms of how their prominence contributes to generate affective reactions among audiences.
Remote Work-Related Barriers: Exploring How Grit Relates to Self-Reported Productivity During COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Farias Ana Rita , Rebordão Beatriz , Simão Cláudia
Published: December 2024

Remote work has become increasingly common due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this has presented workers with new difficulties and barriers that may have an effect on their performance and productivity. In this paper, we explored the barriers to remote work and how a certain personality trait— grit: passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals—could influence how workers copied with this reality. A total of 203 participants (69.5% female) with mean age of 41.90 ( SD = 12.60) years completed an online survey, during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Portugal, investigating grit, perceived stress/anxiety, perception of remote work as a barrier, and self-reported productivity during this period. The findings suggest that grit negatively predicts the number of barriers identified during the transition to remote work and consequently positively predicts worker self-reported productivity. Thus, self-reported productivity is positively related to grit, and this relationship is mediated by the number of identified barriers. Future research should extend this study using longitudinal data, exploring the impact of core variables on career progression and the role of grit in worker resilience across various sectors and work environments, including the influence of events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experience of the Use of AI Conversational Agents Among Low-Income Older Adults Living Alone
Authors: Kim Kyung Mee , Kim Sook Hyun
Published: December 2024

There is little research exploring the experiences of using artificial intelligence (AI) conversational agents among low-income older adults living alone. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative research study, analyzing data from 18 older adults who utilized AI conversational agents while living alone. Our focus was on exploring the perceived benefits and satisfaction of older adult users with these AI conversational agents. We identified two primary categories of perceived benefits: instrumental/functional and emotional aspects. Among the instrumental benefits, participants shared how using “Arya (the AI speaker used in the study)” positively impacted their daily living, enabling them to find and manage diverse information, enhance communication skills, and aid in memory recovery and maintenance. On the emotional benefits, participants reported experiencing positive affect, a sense of security, and feelings of gratitude and happiness. Significantly, participants felt that the intended purpose of using an AI conversational agent was achieved, resulting in a high level of satisfaction. The support from information and communication technology (ICT) managers who provided technical assistance and the availability of free services using the AI conversational agents further contributed to their satisfaction. The use of ICT to improve the quality of life from the perspective of older adults living alone makes a significant contribution to the literature. Given the rapidly aging society in South Korea and worldwide, this intervention provides a valuable support system with practical and psychosocial benefits, promoting the health and safety of older adults living alone.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Academic Integrity Institutional Policies: How Can Honor Code and Severe Punishments Deter Students’ Cheating—Moderating Approach?
Authors: Janinovic Jovana , Pekovic Sanja , Djokovic Rajka , Vuckovic Dijana
Published: December 2024

This paper examined the role of honor codes and severity of punishment on the students’ perception of cheating seriousness in order to assess the effectiveness of institutional policies on preventing the academic misconduct. In order to further put into perspective the obtained results, two moderating factors were included in the empirical analysis—students’ understanding and support of cheating policies. Empirical analysis of our survey including 486 students of University of Montenegro revealed that honor code has positive but mild effect on students’ perception of cheating seriousness while severity of punishment has no impact at all. In addition, understanding university’s cheating policies moderates positively the effect of both honor code and severity of punishment on cheating deterrence. Support of university’s cheating policies was found to amplify the positive relation between honor code and perceived cheating seriousness, but does not moderate the correlation between severity of punishment and students’ perceived cheating seriousness. Our results indicate that policy makers in the field should strive to enhance impact of honor codes and sanctions by consistently acknowledging, communicating, and involving students in design and implementation of institutional integrity policies.
The Great Indian Budget: Does Migration Influence Household’s Consumption Proportions?
Authors: Tabassum Sana , Lalji Chitwan
Published: December 2024

This study employs the two waves (2004–2005 and 2011–2012) of the nationally representative India Human Development Survey (IHDS) to estimate the expenditure gaps (namely, expenditure gaps in food consumption, conspicuous consumption and productive investment) between migrant and non-migrant households. Using propensity score matching and inverse probability weighted regression average, the results indicate that migrant households allocate a lower proportion of their annual household expenditure to food consumption (vis-à-vis the non-migrant households), while allocating higher shares to conspicuous consumption and productive investment. These results vary by whether a loan was sanctioned, the amount sanctioned, the purpose of the loan (productive or otherwise) and the source of the loan (formal or informal channels). The findings propose policy considerations, emphasizing the importance of reassessing loan priorities by extending credit towards productive investment opportunities. This study also explores the consumption spillover effects on non-migrant households, indicating that they emulate the consumption patterns of migrant households by allocating a higher share of expenditure towards conspicuous consumption, with no discernible effect on productive investment.
Graft Length Changes and Optimal Knee Flexion Angles for Fixation in Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction: An In Vivo 3-Dimensional Simulation Analysis
Authors: Chung Kwangho , Jung Min , Hyuk Choi Chong , Jung Se-Han , Hong Junseok , Kim Sung-Hwan
Published: December 2024

Background:

Changes in graft length according to knee flexion and the ideal knee flexion angle at the time of graft fixation for posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction have yet to be clearly defined.

Purposes:

To investigate graft length changes according to knee flexion and determine the optimal graft fixation angle for knee flexion in PLC reconstruction.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Ten healthy male volunteers underwent computed tomography at varying knee flexion angles (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°). The Larson, LaPrade, Arciero, and Kim techniques were performed on 3-dimensional knee models reconstructed from the computed tomography scans. The lengths of each theoretically reconstructed graft were recorded and compared according to knee flexion angle changes.

Results:

In the Larson technique, the lengths of both arms of the sling were the longest at 30° of knee flexion but were not significantly different between 45° and 60° of knee flexion. In the LaPrade, Arciero, and Kim techniques, the length of the lateral collateral ligament arm at 30° of knee flexion was significantly longer than that at other knee flexion angles ( P < .05), except at 0° of knee flexion. The length of the popliteus tendon arm in the LaPrade and Kim techniques, and the length of the popliteofibular ligament arm in the Arciero technique, increased with knee flexion and became the longest at 60° of knee flexion ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

In the LaPrade, Arciero, and Kim techniques, the lengths of the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus complex component arms were greatest at 30° and 60° of knee flexion, respectively. In the Larson technique, the lengths of the anterior and posterior arms were greatest at 30° of knee flexion. The authors recommend securing each arm of the graft at the point of its greatest length.

Clinical Relevance:

This study presents in vivo data regarding graft length changes according to knee flexion and offers an optimal graft fixation angle for PLC reconstructions through various techniques.
Teaching Interculturality: Considering Three Different Cultural Approaches in Intercultural Business Relationships
Authors: Kokkonen Lotta , Koponen Jonna
Published: December 2024

In the international business (IB) research field, many have suggested paradigmatic changes to address the complexity of cultural issues. Different paradigms represent different approaches to culture, and in this study, we apply positivist, interpretive, and critical approaches in the context of IB relationships. To address these different approaches within IB instruction, we introduce the theory of interpersonal knowledge. By utilizing this theory and examples of how to analyze business relationships using different approaches to culture, IB teachers can clarify the different approaches and help their students deepen their understanding of the meaning of interpersonal-level analysis in intercultural business settings.
Pragmatic Knowledge Production: Bringing the Problem of Housing Deterioration into Focus
Authors: Robinson John N. , Swanstrom Todd
Published: December 2024

“Knowledge infrastructures” are critical to producing research and spurring action on policy issues. We argue that the existing infrastructure of knowledge on housing problems in the United States is ill-suited for understanding issues of housing quality and deterioration. Specifically, we argue that the principal national database for understanding housing quality, the American Housing Survey, is seriously flawed. After identifying specific blind spots, we develop an alternative approach—one that is community-driven and pragmatic—for better apprehending this problem. Our results highlight findings otherwise not producible through existing national data sources. Drawing from a city-wide survey of older homeowners in St. Louis, we highlight the city’s most pressing repair needs, how they are spatially and demographically distributed, and the aggregate cost of fixing them, which exceeds $300 million. We also utilize data from an evaluation survey of households that received home repairs and follow-up in-depth interviews to reveal the many costs of housing deterioration that transcend the costs of repairing the physical structure. Ultimately, this article points to the need to support and amplify local knowledge-making capacities, which we believe can help to bring needed public attention and action to the serious problem of housing deterioration.
Digital Health/e-Health Literacy among University Students in the COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fallahi Mohammad Sadegh , Faridzadeh Arezoo , Salahi Mehrnaz , Mehrabani Reyhaneh , Karimi Hanieh , Faraji Ali , Imanparvar Saba , Falahatian Masih , Bayat Mohammadamin , Norouzkhani Narges , Mazhari Seyed Amirhossein , Roostaie Minoo , Sadatmadani Seyedeh Fatemeh , Fathi Mobina , Behshood Parisa , Deravi Niloofar
Published: December 2024

OBJECTIVE

During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic, could be observed an established use of online information in the field of coronavirus disease worldwide. As a systematic review study, the present investigation aimed to evaluate related studies about digital health/e-health literacy among university students in the coronavirus disease 2019 era.

METHODS

Three electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched from 2020 until June 2022, and articles were screened according to pre-established inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were included in this systematic review study. All of the studies were cross-sectional in design, and in total, 45,255 students were evaluated. The majority of studies report health literacy scores among university students that are lower compared to reference samples. Students’ health literacy is influenced by different variables (age, gender, socioeconomic background, sources of online information, well-being, and satisfaction with data).

CONCLUSION

Digital health literacy (DHL) shapes health behaviors and actions. To enhance DHL, multidisciplinary teams from diverse fields can design curricula suitable for students. The internet’s role in DHL is crucial, but it can also spread misleading content. Therefore, professionals should provide clear, evidence-based information and encourage critical data evaluation. Future studies should use robust sampling methods, consider students with limited internet access, and address the unique needs of specific populations, such as those with disabilities and low socioeconomic status.
When work never ends: How after-hours electronic communication expectations affect job satisfaction through work interference with family and emotional exhaustion
Authors: Nida Bushra , Saleem Sharjeel , Tufail Muhammad Shahid , Qamar Beenish
Published: December 2024

In today’s interconnected and fast-paced work environment, technological advancements have blurred the boundaries between work and personal life. Consequently, employees often find themselves expected to remain available for electronic communication outside regular work hours. While some studies suggest that this aids employees in transitioning between work and home life, it may also hinder their ability to maintain a balance between work and personal life. Thus, drawing on boundary theory and conservation of resources theory, this study examines the impact of after-hours electronic communication expectations (AECE) on job satisfaction through work interference with family and emotional exhaustion. The results of data collected from 300 participants in the textile industry of Pakistan reveal a direct negative impact of AECE on job satisfaction. The results also indicate an indirect effect, wherein AECE influences job satisfaction through a sequential mediation process involving work interference with family, emotional exhaustion, and ultimately, negatively impacts job satisfaction, indicating a cascading effect. The study’s implications for theory and practice, as well as its limitations, are also addressed and discussed.
A nationwide survey of bereavement care for siblings provided by paediatric palliative care teams
Authors: Ridley Ashley , Aubry Régis , Frache Sandra
Published: December 2024

Background:

Bereavement support is considered a core standard of care for paediatric palliative care (PPC) teams. Support for grieving siblings can present unique challenges. Developmentally appropriate care can help children navigate their grief experience.

Objectives:

To describe the provider perspectives (mission and development) of bereavement care for siblings, and to describe the bereavement follow-up interventions offered for siblings by hospital-based PPC teams nationwide.

Design and methods:

Qualitative study conducted by semidirected telephone interviews. At least one member from each PPC team was interviewed. Interviews transcribed verbatim were analysed using grounded theory.

Results:

Twenty-one teams participated (response rate 91%). Most teams (80%) provided individual psychotherapy to families, and a few (28%) offered group interventions. PPC teams endeavour to expand their bereavement services and create a stronger collaboration network with community services. However, limited human resources, lack of facilities and financing, and geographical distances were frequent obstacles to bereavement care program development.

Conclusion:

PPC teams support bereaved siblings as an integral part of palliative care. Although PPC teams cannot meet all the needs of bereaved families, they can serve as important reference points to consolidate knowledge of available local resources and offer well-informed guidance to families and community users. Greater public awareness of childhood bereavement and engaging with community structures could help overcome some of the common obstacles to service development. Further studies are warranted in evaluating bereavement services in France and in other healthcare systems.
Every Speech and Language Therapist can be an Ethical Leader: Demonstrating Ethical Leadership in Childhood Disability Services (Part 2/2)
Authors: Lyons Rena , Kellaghan Sinead , Kelly Áine , Kenny Belinda , Carroll Clare , McAllister Lindy
Published: December 2024

The aim of the paper is to facilitate speech and language therapists to reclaim agency and demonstrate ethical leadership as they advocate for their clients, services and profession. Building on the language of ethics introduced in the first of these two linked papers (anonymised for peer review), we apply the language of ethics to two hypothetical scenarios situated in childhood disability services in Ireland; we discuss three levels of ethical leadership: ethical leadership in, ethical leadership of and ethical leadership for. We argue that the use of an ethical approach may be valuable for the speech and language therapist, especially in a context of resource limitations. We hope that use of ethical approaches will facilitate speech and language therapists to embed ethical leadership in everyday practice and that the speech and language therapy community and service providers consider ethics more explicitly in service planning and delivery.
Barriers to establishing teledermatoscopy in primary health care in Sweden
Authors: Hernström Nils , Ingvar Åsa
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Teledermatoscopy (TDS) has proven to be effective and reliable for diagnosis of skin malignancies. The factors that determine the success of implementation of TDS are largely unknown.

Objectives

To investigate barriers to implementation of TDS in primary health care (PHC) at center and individual level.

Methods

Following introduction of TDS, cross-sectional quantitative data and free text comments were collected by surveys sent to PHC centers and PCH practitioners. Successful implementation was defined as regularly sent cases at center level and self-reported usage at individual level. Factors associated with implementation were evaluated with Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis test and logistic regression.

Results

93/117 (78.2%) of PHC centers and 239/725 (32.9%) of PHC practitioners answered the surveys. 54.8% (n = 51) of PHC centers and 64.3% (n = 153) of PHC practitioners had implemented TDS.

There was a strong association between hardware arrival before introduction and TDS usage at center level (OR 6.0; 95% CI 1.5–24.3). At individual level, male sex was positively associated with usage (OR 1.9; 95%, CI 1.0–3.4), and for every year of increased age, the chance of using TDS decreased with 3% (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.9–1.0). No other factor was associated with implementation. “Good” was the most common overall impression (54.8%), and the majority found no problems using the system (> 85%). The most common complaint was technical issues followed by no added value.

Conclusions

Successful implementation of TDS was strongly associated with hardware arrival at center level, and to male sex and younger age at individual level. Satisfaction was overall high.
Motivators and barriers for smoking cessation in people with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study to inform the design of a tailored intervention
Authors: Keller Alex M. , von Glasenapp Barbara , Kotz Daniel , Marck Claudia H. , Heesen Christoph , Riemann-Lorenz Karin
Published: December 2024

Background

Tobacco smoking is a relevant determinant of multiple sclerosis (MS) onset, and smokers have increased risk for faster progression of MS compared to non-smokers. While the smoking prevalence is high in Germany, no smoking cessation programs have been developed specifically in MS populations to date, and only little is known about the motivators and barriers influencing smoking cessation in people with MS (pwMS) in Germany. This study aims to identify these factors to inform the design of a tailored smoking cessation intervention.

Methods

As part of a larger program of work, we conducted semi-structured interviews in people with MS (pwMS) to explore their needs, motivators and barriers regarding smoking cessation. We recruited via MS-websites and the email-newsletter of our institution at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf. Participants were eligible if they had a self-reported MS-diagnosis and currently smoked or quit smoking within the last two years but after their MS-diagnosis. Interviews were conducted online and via telephone during May and June 2023. Data were analysed using thematic analysis based on a realistic approach.

Results

Eight women and seven men participated in our interviews. Eleven were current, four were former smokers. Median time since diagnosis was 4 years (range: 1–26). Interviews identified MS-diagnosis, concerns about general health, and social factors as relevant motivators to stop smoking. Furthermore, worries about negative consequences when quitting (e.g. fear of missing out on social interactions or weight gain) were identified as a great barrier to smoking cessation. Knowledge about the connection between MS and smoking, and satisfaction with communication with MS clinicians were low. PwMS expressed a need for better conversations with neurologists and expert-led smoking cessation interventions. Additionally, we found that the wish for peer-exchange and the willingness to participate in smoking cessation programs was high.

Conclusion

Our results confirm findings of previous studies from other countries, identifying lack of knowledge, unsatisfactory communication with MS clinicians, and worries about negative consequences when quitting as barriers, and the MS-diagnosis as a motivator for smoking cessation. In a next step, we will use our findings for the development of an MS-specific online smoking cessation program.
Prediction of bioactive compounds hepatotoxicity using in silico and in vitro analysis
Authors: Choi Kwanyong , Lee Soyeon , Yoo Sunyong , Han Hyoung-Yun , Park Soo-yeon , Kim Ji Yeon
Published: December 2024

The leading safety issue and side effect associated with natural herb products is drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by bioactive compounds derived from the herb products. Herein, in silico and in vitro analyses were compared to determine the hepatotoxicity of compounds. The results of in silico analyses, which included an integrated database and an interpretable DILI prediction model, identified calycosin, biochanin_A, xanthatin, piperine, and atractyloside as potential hepatotoxic compounds and tenuifolin as a non-hepatotoxic compound. To evaluate the viability of HepG2 cells exposed to the selected compounds, we determined the IC50 and IC20 values of viability using MTT assays. For in-depth screening, we performed hematoxylin and eosin-stained morphological screens, JC-1 mitochondrial assays, and mRNA microarrays. The results indicated that calycosin, biochanin_A, xanthatin, piperine, and atractyloside were potential hepatotoxicants that caused decreased viability and an apoptotic phase in morphology, while these effects were not observed for tenuifolin, a non-hepatotoxicant. In the JC-1 assay, apoptosis was induced by all the predicted hepatotoxicants except atractyloside. According to transcriptomic analysis, all the compounds predicted to induce DILI showed hepatotoxic effects. These results highlighted the importance of using in vitro assays to validate predictive in silico models and determine the potential of bioactive compounds to induce hepatotoxicity in humans.
Health economic evaluation alongside randomised clinical trial of a health behaviour intervention to manage type 2 diabetes in Nepal
Authors: Dahal Padam Kanta , Ademi Zanfina , Rawal Lal , Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Paudel Grish , Karmacharya Biraj , Sakamoto Haruka , Sugishita Tomohiko , Vandelanotte Corneel
Published: December 2024

Background

Prevention of type 2 diabetes is becoming an urgent public health concern in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is currently no evidence of a cost-effective approach of health behaviour interventions from community settings in low-income countries like Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the within-trial economic evaluation of a health behaviour intervention compared with usual care for managing type 2 diabetes in a community setting in Nepal.

Methods

We randomly assigned 30 clusters comprising 481 patients with type 2 diabetes of which 15 to a health behaviour intervention (n = 238 patients) and 15 to the usual care (n = 243 patients). Patients in the intervention group received community health workers-led intensive training for diabetes self-management along with regular phone calls and ongoing support from peer supporters. Costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) as costs per QALYs gained were assessed after 6-month from a healthcare system perspective. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted using 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations to assess the impact of uncertainty of cost-effectiveness analysis under the threshold of three times gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for Nepal (i.e., US $4,140).

Results

Over the 6-month, the intervention yielded an incremental cost of US $28.55 (95% CI = US $21.26 to US $35.84) per person and an incremental QALYs of 0.0085 (95% CI = -0.0106 to 0.0275) per person. The ICER associated with the health behaviour intervention was US $3,358.82 (95% CI = US $-2005.66 to US $3,974.54) per QALY gained, which was below the estimated threshold, indicating a cost-effective approach with a net monetary benefit of US $6.64 (95% CI = US $-22.62 to US $78.01). Furthermore, the probabilistic sensitivity analysis consisting of 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations indicates that the intervention being cost-effective at the given threshold was 89.63%.

Conclusions

Health behaviour interventions in community settings are a cost-effective approach to manage type 2 diabetes, offering good value for money. However, more studies focused on long-term follow-up across diverse setting of LMICs should be warranted to assess the maximum impact of such interventions.

Trial registration

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12621000531819) Registered on 6th May 2021.
Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 overexpression in testis contributes to idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia via repressing ETS variant transcription factor 5
Authors: Wei Lei , Feng Zonggang , Dou Qian , Li Pengfen , Zhao Xinghua , Hao Bin
Published: December 2024

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), is a long non-coding RNA localized in the cell nucleus, known for its multifunctional roles, including potential involvement in spermatogenesis. This study investigates the mechanism by which MALAT1 dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (iNOA). We analyzed MALAT1 levels in two gene expression profiling datasets comprising patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) who have normal spermatogenesis and 13 patients with iNOA. The dysregulation of MALAT1 along with the expression levels of its negatively correlated genes were confirmed in a larger cohort of 24 OA patients and 38 iNOA patients. We examined the effects of MALAT1 overexpression in primary human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and Sertoli cells. Additionally, we assessed DNA methylation, as well as levels of H3K27me3 and H3K27Ac level near the etv5 promoter region using ChIP-qPCR. We observed that MALAT1 was overexpressed in testes of iNOA patients with its levels negatively correlating with six spermatogenesis related genes and positively correlated with three others. Overexpression of MALAT1 in SSCs repressed proliferation and induced apoptosis while also suppressing ETS variant transcription factor 5 (ETV5) expression by promoting H3K27 tri-methylation of the ETV5 promoter. Overexpression of MALAT1 in Sertoli cells did not induce apoptosis but impaired their cell supporting function. In conclusion, MALAT1 overexpression in SSCs contributes to the pathogenesis of iNOA via downregulating ETV5 expression and promoting cell apoptosis.
Inversion of fracture weakness parameters based on 3CVSP data — Part II: ORT media composed of a single fracture set in the VTI background media
Authors: Yang Yuyong , Stovas Alexey , Qi Qiaomu , Zhou Huailai
Published: December 2024

The inversion of fracture parameters from seismic data is a key issue in predicting fractured reservoirs. When a set of vertical fractures develops in a background medium of laminated shales or thin interbedded sandstone and mudstone with transversely isotropic media with vertical symmetry axis (VTI) characteristics, this medium is considered a typical orthotropic medium. In such a medium, due to the presence of fractures, the PS wave in the original VTI medium splits into two types of waves: PS1 and PS2 waves (fast and slow S waves). To use the traveltimes of these two waveforms to invert the fracture weakness parameters, we derive approximate formulas for the traveltimes of the PS1 and PS2 waves recorded in a vertical seismic profile (VSP) for horizontally layered media. These approximate formulas are obtained using rational-form approximation methods for short offsets with respect to the shot position. This approximation transforms the calculation of traveltime from the complex phase velocity domain (the function of the two horizontal slownesses) to the group velocity domain (the function of the shotpoint coordinates). The results from numerical error analysis indicate that even with a near-offset assumption, the approximated formula has high accuracy for offsets close to the depth of the target layer. By using the traveltimes of the PS1 and PS2 waves picked up by velocity under isotropic conditions, combined with undetermined anisotropic parameters and rational-form approximations, we establish an objective function for inversion. The inversion results from different azimuths indicate that the accuracy of the inverted anisotropic parameters has different azimuthal sensitivities. The inversion method is applied to the multidirectional 3CVSP field data, and the results confirm the effectiveness of the method.
Does preexisting differential pressure have an impact on poroelastic compressibilities?
Authors: Whitehead Ryan J. , Sahay Pratap N. , Schreyer Lynn G.
Published: December 2024

The existing formulation of quasistatic poroelasticity for saturated porous materials relies on the assumption that differential pressure, defined to be the difference between the confining and liquid pressures, is zero at the reference state. This assumption can be problematic in problems involving swelling media, such as clay, and deep underground where preexisting pore pressure may differ from the total pressure. Here, the quasistatic poroelastic equations are derived from only the conservation of mass for each phase and the Terzaghi effective stress principle for the case when there is a nonzero reference differential pressure. In the process, a dynamic equation for the porosity is derived, and one additional parameter representing a dimensionless reference differential pressure is introduced. Although the form of the quasistatic poroelastic equations remains the same, the poroelastic compressibilities change with the reference state’s nonzero differential pressure. The changes in these compressibilities are systematically outlined, and the impact on more specific classes of material is examined. The altered compressibilities imply, among other changes, that the compressional velocity is a function of the preexisting differential pressure, which is useful to account for in dynamic measurements, but that the dependence is weak for materials with low compressibilities.
A novel polarity correction method for the waveform stacking location of microseismic events
Authors: Zeng Zhiyi , Yang Xiao-Hui , Han Peng , Jincheng Xu , Zhang Wei , Ren Hengxin , Zhang Da , Chang Ying , Zhang Jianzhong
Published: December 2024

Microseismic events play a crucial role in mapping fault and fracture distributions in natural and induced earthquakes. Detecting and localizing microseismic events is challenging due to low signal-to-noise ratios. Waveform stacking imaging location is a practical approach for automatically detecting and localizing microseismic events, assuming that the traveltime-corrected seismic waveforms will stack and enhance coherently. However, coherent stack enhancement is susceptible to polarity reversal caused by the nonexplosive components of the source mechanism, which can lead to an unfocused source image, making it difficult to retrieve the optimal location accurately. In this study, we develop a new polarity correction method to address this issue based on the fact that the instantaneous phase difference between two seismic signals with opposite polarity is [Formula: see text]. First, the Hilbert transform is applied to the original seismic record to obtain the instantaneous amplitude [Formula: see text] and phase [Formula: see text]. Then, a new signal is constructed by multiplying [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. The constructed signals for different receivers have the same polarity; therefore, they can be used to refocus the source image. Furthermore, they preserve positive and negative amplitudes, which contributes to noise suppression. Synthetic tests show that our method can effectively achieve polarity correction and noise suppression, enabling a high-resolution source image. Application to real hydraulic fracturing data demonstrates that our method can detect and locate more microseismic events at the fracturing depths, suggesting its effectiveness and potential advantage in microseismic data processing. Because the polarity correction is performed in the data domain without relying on specific receiver layouts, the method is computationally efficient and could be applied to real-time microseismic monitoring across various sites, such as hydraulic fracturing and volcano monitoring.
Treatment Versus Observation in Early Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Bhattacharya Saptarshi , Nagendra Lakshmi , Dutta Deep , Kamrul-Hasan A B M
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Early gestational diabetes mellitus (eGDM) refers to elevated blood glucose levels not meeting the criteria for overt diabetes before 20 weeks gestation. Observational studies link eGDM to adverse outcomes, but randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence on early intervention benefits remains inconclusive. To address this, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (SRM) of RCTs on this subject.

Methods

We searched electronic databases to identify RCTs comparing early treatment vs observation for eGDM. The primary neonatal outcomes analyzed were large-for-gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia. The primary maternal outcome was pregnancy-related hypertension. Secondary neonatal outcomes included neonatal respiratory distress (NRD), neonatal intensive-care unit admission, small-for-gestational age, cord-blood C-peptide ≥90th percentile, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Secondary maternal outcomes were cesarean section (CS), emergency CS, labor induction, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.

Results

Seven RCTs involving 4427 pregnancies were analyzed. The studies differed in their timing and methods of inclusion. Six studies used a combination of lifestyle and pharmaceutical interventions, while 1 relied solely on lifestyle modifications. Early treatment did not reduce LGA [odds ratio (OR) 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-1.32; P = .44], macrosomia (OR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.43-1.06; P = .09), or pregnancy-related hypertension (OR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.68-1.57; P = .87). Among the secondary outcomes, only NRD was significantly reduced in the treatment arm (OR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.34-0.80; P = .003). However, sensitivity analysis, omitting the lifestyle-only study, demonstrated a lower risk of macrosomia with early intervention (OR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.34-0.91; P = .02).

Conclusion

The SRM demonstrates early intervention does not improve most pregnancy outcomes, except NRD. Sensitivity analysis, excluding the lifestyle-only study, additionally revealed a reduction in macrosomia. The findings must be interpreted cautiously due to the variability in study designs. Replication in well-designed multicenter trials is required before clinical application.
Pseudo-endocrine Disorders: Recognition, Management, and Action
Authors: McDermott Michael T
Published: December 2024

“Pseudo-endocrine disorders” refer to proposed conditions that have never been scientifically proven to exist but, due to widespread misinformation available on the internet and other media, are relatively commonly diagnosed and treated with equally unproven and sometimes dangerous treatments. Adrenal fatigue is a nonexistent condition that supposedly results from adrenal exhaustion and atrophy due to chronic stress and has been promoted as a potential explanation for a variety of symptoms. Testing consists of nonvalidated online surveys and salivary cortisol profiles while treatment is not evidence-based at best and can be dangerous. Wilson's syndrome and reverse T3 syndrome are also nonexistent conditions that supposedly result from impaired T4 to T3 conversion and competition of excess reverse T3 with T3 for T3 receptors. Testing involves measurement of axillary temperature and treatment consists of T3 therapy, often at very high and dangerous doses. Hypogonadism (“low T”) is frequently diagnosed in “men's health” clinics and other venues without actual hormone testing or further evaluation and is often treated with supraphysiologic testosterone therapy that suppresses endogenous gonadal testosterone and sperm production, leads to a lifelong need for testosterone therapy, and may have numerous other harmful effects. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) therapy has been proposed as a treatment for multiple disorders including autoimmune conditions and other disorders resulting from aberrant immune mechanisms, but there is no valid evidence that LDN has any benefits. Management of patients with pseudo-endocrine disorders must involve careful listening, patient education, healthy lifestyle measures, and honesty, encouragement, and compassion.