bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parenting Factors Predicting Longitudinal Fast-Food Consumption From Adolescence
Authors: Stager Lindsay M. , Watson Caroline , Long Dustin , Fobian Aaron D.
Published: October 2023

Adolescence has been identified as a critical developmental period predicting adult health. Despite this knowledge, few studies have examined the relationship between parenting/family variables occurring during adolescence and future food consumption patterns. The present study examined the predictive nature of family dinners and parent control over food in relation to longitudinal fast-food consumption beginning in adolescence and across the transition into adulthood. Data came from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. A group-based modeling technique identified distinct participant groups with similar trajectories of fast-food consumption across waves II-IV (1994-2008). Parent control over food and family dinner frequency were used as predictors of group membership in the final models. Four separate trajectories of fast-food consumption frequency emerged. Both parent control over food and family dinner frequency during adolescence were related to trajectory group membership, acting as protective factors against spikes in fast-food consumption. The observed relationships highlight key areas for positive change in parental involvement in children’s food choices and future health interventions to decrease fast-food consumption during this critical developmental period.
Above All Things Put on Love: Transforming the Emotions of the Mind
Authors: Walsh Michael Gary
Published: October 2023

Emotions appear to be self-evident common sense; however, our understanding of ‘emotions’ carries a history of ongoing debate that persists to this day. This article provides a concise history of emotions, from biblical times to modern-day affective neuroscience. It describes how passions and affections of the soul became emotions of the body, excluding theology in the process. Modern affective neuroscience has yet to yield a universally accepted definition of emotions or a description of their physiology. These historical shifts have resulted in lost knowledge from the Judeo-Christian tradition concerning the soul, will, and love, leaving inadequate guidance for transforming the emotions in Christian spiritual formation. An interdisciplinary approach is suggested, and Dallas Willard’s model of transforming the emotions by cultivating the conditions of love, joy, and peace is presented. A case study on love is given. Christian spiritual formation offers unique and essential knowledge to the study of emotions.
Asymmetric Post-Traumatic Knee Arthritis Is Closely Correlated With Both Severity and Time for Lower Limb Coronal Plane Malalignment
Authors: Visscher Luke E. , McCarthy Cathal , White Jordy , Tetsworth Kevin
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Mechanical alignment of the lower limbs has been suggested to cause abnormal uneven loading across the compartments at the knee, but its contribution to the initiation and progression of arthritis remains controversial. This study aimed to establish whether malalignment of the lower limb after trauma is associated with worsened arthritis scores in the theoretically overloaded compartment, and if arthritis scores continuously correlate with the degree of malalignment and time with deformity.

Design:

After screening 1160 X-rays, 60 patients were identified with long-leg radiographs > 2 years after fracture. Measurement of mechanical axis deviation (MAD) divided into groups of varus malalignment ( n = 16, >16 mm), valgus ( n = 25, <0 mm), and normal alignment ( n = 19). Alignment and bilateral knee compartmental arthritis scores were recorded by three clinicians, compared via analysis of variance and assessed with linear regression against time since injury using MAD as a covariate.

Results:

In varus and valgus malalignment, there was a greater mean arthritis score in the “overloaded” compartment compared to the contralateral side, with varus medial Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores 5.17 ± 2.91 vs 3.50 ± 2.72 ( P = 0.006) and Kellegren-Lawrence scores 2.65 ± 1.19 vs 1.79 ± 1.24 ( P ≤ 0.001). In a linear regression model, OARSI arthritis score was significantly associated with absolute MAD (0.6/10 mm MAD, P < 0.001) and time (0.7/decade, P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions:

Malalignment consistently results in more advanced arthritis scores in the overloaded compartment, most likely related to abnormal loading across the knee. Severity of arthritis using OARSI grading continuously correlates with degree of malalignment and time with deformity after post-traumatic malunion.
Use of technology in agriculture services in Bangladesh
Authors: Huda S. S. M. Sadrul , Akter Sayma , Safder Ayesha
Published: October 2023

This case discusses how innovative technology is helping the agricultural sector in Bangladesh. It focuses on how the agri-tech companies have become a blessing for farmers of Bangladesh to get access to better services in the agriculture sector. The core focus of these companies is to help farmers connect to buyers, as well as those who are interested in the agriculture sector. This case also highlights how agri-tech companies are beneficial not only to the farmers but also to the country’s overall GDP in terms of the agricultural industry. Additionally, it also covers the particular agro-tech companies that are using technologies to give better services to the farmers. We have used secondary data to carry out the research. The findings of this research indicate that technology and agriculture come together and are benefiting the farmers in the country. It could be an excellent resource for future research to understand agricultural progress in our economy. Overall, the case addresses how technology is essential for the farming industry and how businesses like iFarmer, WeGro, Foshol, and others aim to provide all technology-based services to farmers and the farm sector.
Psychopathology associated with cardiac pacing in Tanzania: A case series
Authors: Pallangyo Pedro , Mgopa Lucy R , Bhalia Smita V , Mkojera Zabella S , Komba Makrina , Mayala Henry A , Kisenge Peter R
Published: October 2023

Emotional disarray linked to interventional procedures may potentially aggravate previous psychiatric conditions or even precipitate new psychopathologies. Despite of the well-known deleterious impact of mental health disorders on cardiac outcomes, psychological disturbances are relatively understudied yet of vital importance to the overall health of post-pacing patients. In this case series we present a spectrum of mental illnesses observed in a cohort of patients who underwent permanent pacemaker implantation in Tanzania’s national referral cardiac centre. Five individuals of African origin aged between 58 and 81 years presented to Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute with clinical conditions warranting permanent pacemaker implantation. All five denied prior history of mental illness, however, after thorough psychiatric reviews; organic brain syndrome, panic disorder, brief psychotic disorder, adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder diagnoses were reached. All five were successfully channeled for medical psychotherapy. To conclude, this case series illustrates variable consequences of poor psychological adaptation to implantable cardiac devices, and it underscores the importance of continued psychological evaluation to such patients.
Community Ecosystem Mapping: A Foundational Step for Effective Community Engagement in Research and Knowledge Mobilization
Authors: Turin Tanvir C. , Kazi Mashrur , Rumana Nahid , Lasker Mohammad A. A. , Chowdhury Nashit
Published: October 2023

Community engagement is a key strategy for achieving various goals, such as social and environmental change, sustainable development, health promotion, and community building. It involves collaborations and partnerships with the community that help mobilize resources, impact systems, rectify partner dynamics, and function as catalysts for modifying policies, programs, and practices. It also ensures mutual trust among all parties involved, giving community members greater personal agency and involvement potential. We have learned a range of practical aspects of community engagement with communities, particularly with immigrant/racialized communities, by running a community-engaged program of research on the health and wellness issues of immigrant/racialized communities in Calgary, Canada. In this article, we focus on a crucial early step of community engagement—understanding the community ecosystem. The community ecosystem refers to its human, social, and cultural makeups. Understanding this ecosystem requires conscious efforts to comprehend the demography, participate in socio-cultural events, identify community spots, reach out to hard-to-access groups, find the community champions and communication channels/organizations, and reaching out to them to establish relationships. Understanding the community ecosystem allows us to identify the pivotal factors, key actors, and pulse of the community that we are engaging with. This enables us to build mutual trust and goals for research and knowledge mobilization. Subsequently, an empowered, continual, and collaborative partnership becomes possible, resulting in sustained and desirable outcomes.
Notes on urban visions, the newer sites for discursive struggles: Mumbai 2034
Authors: Kesar Purushottam , Ache Peter M
Published: October 2023

The paper analyses the visioning of the Greater Mumbai-2034 Development Plan (DP-2034) and its content. Our results suggest that visioning practice is essentially a discursive intervention embedded in interpretive struggles. The paper outlines the role of two key planning instruments, Floor Space Index-FSI and No Development Zone-NDZ, which materialised as discursive elements while Mumbai’s urban vision along a de-regulated and market-determined rationale is formulated. Also, to uphold its core view, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (civic body) exercised its discursive agency through various strategic practices that revolve around framing, rationalisation, scientification efforts and re-designating territorial boundaries. Simultaneously, visioning created a strategic impulse amongst citizens and civil society actors to realise their agency for change, alter their discursive power and emerge as a stronger discursive agent through forming alliances, engaging in independent surveys, imparting planning literacy, peer learning, shadow visioning and canvassing with media. As a result, MCGM was forced to alter its proposals partially. The empirical case argues that visioning exercises present novel openings for actors to negotiate their pre-given subject position, demand participatory forms of urban governance and acquire discursive agency to exercise the right to change.
Biological durability and wood–water interactions of sorbitol and citric acid (SorCA) modified wood
Authors: Kurkowiak Katarzyna , Emmerich Lukas , Militz Holger
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between moisture dynamics of sorbitol and citric acid (SorCA) modified wood and its biological durability. Specifically, the research aimed to determine the chemical loading needed for effective protection against wood-destroying basidiomycetes, while also improving the understanding of the moisture behavior of SorCA-modified wood. The SorCA modification process is relatively new, and thus, there is limited knowledge on its moisture behavior and its impact on biological durability. The research focused on Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and used the EN 113-2 standard to investigate its durability against wood-destroying basidiomycetes. Moisture behavior was analyzed through short-term water uptake and release tests, capillary water uptake and CEN/TS 16818. Results showed a significant reduction in liquid and water vapor uptake, likely due to a reduction in the maximum moisture capacity within the wood cell wall. The study confirmed that high chemical loadings (i.e., weight percent gain, WPG) are necessary for adequate decay protection.
Integrating Association Mapping, Linkage Mapping, Fine Mapping with RNA Seq Conferring Seedling Vigor Improvement for Successful Crop Establishment in Deep Sown Direct-Seeded Rice
Authors: Sandhu Nitika , Ankush Ade Pooja , Singh Jasneet , Raigar Om Prakash , Bains Sutej , Jindal Taveena , Singh Mohini Prabha , Sethi Mehak , Pruthi Gomsie , Augustine Gaurav , Verma Vikas Kumar , Goyal Shivani , Kumar Aman , Panwar Harsh , Sihag Manvesh Kumar , Kaur Rupinder , Kurup Smita , Kumar Arvind
Published: October 2023

Background

Ongoing large-scale shift towards direct seeded rice (DSR) necessitates a convergence of breeding and genetic approaches for its sustenance and harnessing natural resources and environmental benefits. Improving seedling vigour remains key objective for breeders working with DSR. The present study aims to understand the genetic control of seedling vigour in deep sown DSR. Combined genome-wide association mapping, linkage mapping, fine mapping, RNA-sequencing to identify candidate genes and validation of putative candidate genes were performed in the present study.

Results

Significant phenotypic variations were observed among genotypes in both F3:4:5and BC2F2:3populations. The mesocotyl length showed significant positive correlation with %germination, root and shoot length. The 881 kb region on chromosome 7 reported to be associated with mesocotyl elongation. RNA-seq data and RT-PCR results identified and validated seven potential candidate genes. The four promising introgression lines free from linkage drag and with longer mesocotyl length, longer root length, semi-dwarf plant height have been identified.

Conclusion

The study will provide rice breeders (1) the pre breeding material in the form of anticipated DSR adapted introgression lines possessing useful traits and alleles improving germination under deep sown DSR field conditions (2) the base for the studies involving functional characterization of candidate genes. The development and utilization of improved introgression lines and molecular markers may play an important role in genomics-assisted breeding (GAB) during the pyramiding of valuable genes providing adaptation to rice under DSR. Our results offer a robust and reliable package that can contribute towards enhancing genetic gains in direct seeded rice breeding programs.
Humoral immune response and changes in peritoneal cell populations in rats immunized against two Leptospira serovars; serovar patoc and serovar pyrogenes
Authors: Gangani Dakshika , Dissanayake Wathsala , de Silva Rajiva , Anuradha Kaushalya , Karunanayake Lilani , Fernando Narmada , Rajapakse Senaka , Premawansa Sunil , Handunnetti Shiroma
Published: October 2023

Background

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. Variations in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure in Leptospira are known to be associated with the serovar diversity and antigenicity. Development of immunodiagnostics for early detection of leptospirosis based on immune responses against different pathogenic antigens as well as development of vaccines are important. Hence, this study has assessed the immune response generated against leptospiral LPS and whole antigen preparations of pathogenic and saprophytic Leptospira and specific changes in peritoneal cells was also studied to elucidate the cellular responses associated with immune response of Wistar rats.

Methods

During the study, immune response induced by two types of Leptospira antigen preparations of two selected serovars was compared. Changes in the specific peritoneal cell subpopulations following immunizations of rats were analyzed using flow cytometry.

Results

Of the two antigen preparations tested, the LPS extract induced a higher IgM immune response as opposed to the sonicated antigen preparation. Of the two serovars tested, L. interrogans serovar Pyrogenes had induced a higher IgM response compared to that by L. biflexa serovar Patoc. Considering the IgG titers, equivalent responses were observed with all four antigen preparations. Significant increases in lymphocytes were observed following immunization with LPS of both serovars. Interestingly, the B2 cell percentages increased significantly during the immunization period. Further, significant correlations were observed with both IgM and IgG responses and percentage of B2 cells in the peritoneal cavity (PC).

Conclusion

LPS extract of L. interrogans serovar Pyrogenes induced higher IgM response while the IgG response was equivalent among the four antigen preparations tested. Significant increase of B2 cell percentage in the peritoneal cavity during the immunization reflects the accumulation of B2 cells in the PC which may play considerable role in generating humoral response against Leptospira antigens.
Hyaluronic acid production by Klebsiella pneumoniae strain H15 (OP354286) under different fermentation conditions
Authors: Ahmed Rania M. , Enan Gamal , Saed Safaa , Askora Ahmed
Published: October 2023

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has gained significant attention due to its unique physical, chemical, and biological properties, making it widely used in various industries. This study aimed to screen bacterial isolates for HA production, characterize favorable fermentation conditions, and evaluate the inhibitory effect of bacterial HA on cancer cell lines.

Results

A total of 108 bacterial isolates from diverse sources were screened for HA production using HPLC, turbidimetric, and carbazole determination methods. Among the HA-producing isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae H15 isolated from an animal feces sample, was superior in HA production. The strain was characterized based on its morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics. Molecular identification using 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed its identity. Fermentation conditions, including pH, temperature, time, and agitation rate, were optimized to maximize HA production. The basal medium, comprising sucrose (7.0%) as carbon source and combined yeast extract with peptone (1.25% each) as nitrogen substrate, favored the highest HA production at pH 8.0, for 30 h, at 30 °C, under shaking at 180 rpm. The average maximized HA concentration reached 1.5 g L−1. Furthermore, bacterial HA exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on three cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG-2 and HCT), with the lowest concentration ranging from 0.98–3.91 µg mL−1.

Conclusions

K. pneumoniae H15, isolated from animal feces demonstrated promising potential for HA production. The most favorable fermentation conditions led to a high HA production. The inhibitory effect of bacterial HA on cancer cell lines highlights its potential therapeutic applications. These findings contribute to a broader understanding and utilization of HA in various industries and therapeutic applications.
Individual differences in frequency and impact of daily memory lapses: results from a national lifespan sample
Authors: Mogle Jacqueline , Turner Jennifer R. , Bhargava Sakshi , Stawski Robert S. , Almeida David M. , Hill Nikki L.
Published: October 2023

Background

Everyday memory problems are believed to increase with age, leading many researchers to focus on older ages when examining reports of memory lapses. However, real world memory lapses are ubiquitous across the adult lifespan, though less is known about the types of problems and their impacts at younger ages. The current study examined occurrence and impacts of memory lapses using daily diaries in a broad age range and whether characteristics of lapses varied across age, gender, or education level.

Methods

Using an 8-day daily diary protocol, 2,018 individuals (ages 25–91) provided reports of their experiences of two types of daily memory lapses (retrospective and prospective) as well as the impact those lapses had on their emotional and functional well-being that day. Using multilevel modeling, we examined the likelihood of reporting memory lapses and their impacts on daily life and whether these depended on age, gender, or education level.

Results

Participants reported lapses on approximately 40% of days; retrospective memory lapses were significantly more likely than prospective lapses. Older ages and higher education level were related to greater likelihood of reporting retrospective lapses. Women (compared to men) were more likely to report prospective memory lapses. Women also tended to report greater impacts of their memory lapses. Lower education levels were related to greater impacts of memory lapses compared to higher education levels. Interestingly, age was not related to impacts of lapses.

Discussion

Our results indicate that memory lapses are common across the lifespan and that those individuals more likely to report lapses are not necessarily those that experience the greatest impacts of those lapses on daily life. Additional work is needed to understand the daily experience of memory lapses and how they differentially affect individuals regardless of age, gender, and education.

Conclusions

Memory lapses are an important aspect of daily life across the lifespan and require measurement in an individual’s real-world environments. Better measurement of these experiences will allow the development of more sensitive measures of changes in cognitive functioning that may impact an individual’s ability to live independently.
Are pregnancy and parity associated with telomere length? A systematic review
Authors: Houminer-Klepar Nourit , Bord Shiran , Epel Elissa , Baron-Epel Orna
Published: October 2023

Background

Women's reproduction requires increased energy demands, which consequently may lead to cellular damage and aging. Hence, Telomere Length (TL), a biomarker of biological aging and health status may possibly serve as a biomarker of reproductive effort. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate telomere dynamics throughout pregnancy and the association between parity and TL.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted across seven databases including CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Proquest, PubMed; Scopus; and Web of Science, using keywords and MeSH descriptors of parity and TL. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen abstracts and titles. After the removal of duplicates, 3431 articles were included in the primary screening, narrowed to 194 articles included in the full-text screening. Consensus was reached for the 14 studies that were included in the final review, and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) was utilized to assess the quality of the selected studies. A mini meta-analysis utilized JASP 0.17.3 software and included 4 applicable studies, comprising a total of 2564 participants to quantitatively assess the estimated effect size of parity on TL.

Results

Of the 11 studies reviewed on parity and TL, four demonstrated a negative correlation; one – a positive correlation and six -found no correlation. Studies demonstrating a negative correlation encompassed rigorous methodological practices possibly suggesting having more children is associated with enhanced telomere attrition. Of the four longitudinal studies assessing telomere dynamics throughout pregnancy, most found no change in TL from early pregnancy to postpartum suggesting pregnancy does not affect TL from early pregnancy to early postpartum. The meta-analysis revealed a negative, yet, non-significant effect, of the estimated effect size of parity on TL(ES = -0.009, p = 0.126, CI -0.021, 0.03).

Conclusions

Studies assessing pregnancy, parity and TL yielded mixed results, most likely due to the different research methods utilized in each study. Improvements in study design to better understand the short-term effects of pregnancy on TL and the effect of parity on TL over time, include precise definitions of parity, comparisons of different age groups, inclusion of reproductive lifespan and statistically adjusting for potential confounders in the parity and TL relationship.
Planning and implementing practice changes in Ontario maternal-newborn hospital units: a secondary qualitative analysis
Authors: Reszel Jessica , Daub Olivia , Dunn Sandra I. , Cassidy Christine E. , Hafizi Kaamel , Lightfoot Marnie , Pervez Dahlia , Quosdorf Ashley , Wood Allison , Graham Ian D.
Published: October 2023

Background

Moving evidence into practice is complex, and pregnant and birthing people and their infants do not always receive care that aligns with the best available evidence. Implementation science can inform how to effectively move evidence into practice. While there are a growing number of examples of implementation science being studied in maternal-newborn care settings, it remains unknown how real-world teams of healthcare providers and leaders approach the overall implementation process when making practice changes. The purpose of this study was to describe maternal-newborn hospital teams’ approaches to implementing practice changes. We aimed to identify what implementation steps teams take (or not) and identify strengths and potential areas for improvement based on best practices in implementation science.

Methods

We conducted a supplementary qualitative secondary analysis of 22 interviews completed in 2014–2015 with maternal-newborn nursing leaders in Ontario, Canada. We used directed content analysis to code the data to seven steps in an implementation framework (Implementation Roadmap): identify the problem and potential best practice; assemble local evidence; select and customize best practice; discover barriers and drivers; tailor implementation strategies; field-test, plan evaluation, prepare to launch; launch, evaluate, and sustain. Frequency counts are presented for each step.

Results

Participants reported completing a median of 4.5 of 7 Implementation Roadmap steps (range = 3–7), with the most common being identifying a practice problem. Other steps were described less frequently (e.g., selecting and adapting evidence, field-testing, outcome evaluation) or discussed frequently but not optimally (e.g., barriers assessment). Participants provided examples of how they engaged point-of-care staff throughout the implementation process, but provided fewer examples of engaging pregnant and birthing people and their families. Some participants stated they used a formal framework or process to guide their implementation process, with the most common being quality improvement approaches and tools.

Conclusions

We identified variability across the 22 hospitals in the implementation steps taken. While we observed many strengths, we also identified areas where further support may be needed. Future work is needed to create opportunities and resources to support maternal-newborn healthcare providers and leaders to apply principles and tools from implementation science to their practice change initiatives.
Positive mental health in adults with bipolar disorder: exploring social support subtypes, negative social interactions and potential to flourish
Authors: Fowler Ken , Dooley Kaya E.
Published: October 2023

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) (i.e., BD-I or BD-II) is a serious mental illness (SMI) that can cause significant life challenges, but its impact and management may be mediated by psychosocial factors. This study’s primary objectives were to investigate whether adults with BD differ from those without in terms of social support, negative social interactions (NSIs), and positive mental health (PMH). Secondly, examine whether gender differences exist in terms of these variables, as well as whether specific social support subscales and NSI predict PMH for those with BD.

Methods

Using data extracted from a national Canadian survey, 563 adults reporting a lifetime BD diagnosis were compared to a matched, non-BD sample using the Social Provisions Scale 10 Items (SPS-10), the NSI Scale, and the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF) Scale. For the BD sample, males and females were compared based on study variables, and hierarchical regressions were subsequently performed to assess whether SPS-10 subscales and NSIs predicted PMH.

Results

Respondents with BD reported significantly lower SPS-10 and PMH scores, and significantly higher NSI scores. Within the BD sample, females reported significantly higher SPS-10 and NSIs scores, and ‘social integration’ and ‘reassurance of worth’ positively predicted PMH, while NSI uniquely predicted lower PMH levels for both males and females.

Conclusions

The results implicate specific psychosocial factors and gender in the degree to which adults with BD might flourish, particularly in terms negative relationships. The implications of social erosion and the bi-directionality of social support are also considered.
Up in smoke? Limited evidence of a smoking harm paradox in 17-year cohort study
Authors: Harris Samantha Marie , Jørgensen Magnus , Lowthian Emily , Kristensen Sara Madeleine
Published: October 2023

Background

Socioeconomic differences in the impact of alcohol consumption on health have been consistently reported in the so-called “alcohol harm paradox” (i.e., individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds (SES) drink more alcohol than individuals from lower SES, but the latter accrue more alcohol-related harm). Despite the severe health risks of smoking however, there is a scarcity of studies examining a possible “smoking harm paradox” (SHP). We aim to fill this gap.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study with adolescents from the Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behaviour Study (NLHB). Our study used data from ages 13 to 30 years. To analyse our data, we used the random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) with smoking and self-reported health as mutual lagged predictors and outcomes as well as parental income and education as grouping variables. Parental income and education were used as proxies for adolescent socioeconomic status (SES). Smoking was examined through frequency of smoking (every day, every week, less than once a week, not at all). General health compared to others was measured by self-report.

Results

Overall, we found inconclusive evidence of the smoking harm paradox, as not all effects from smoking to self-reported health were moderated by SES. Nevertheless, the findings do suggest that smoking predicted worse subjective health over time among individuals in the lower parental education group compared with those in the higher parental education group. This pattern was not found for parental income.

Conclusions

While our results suggest limited evidence for a smoking harm paradox (SHP), they also suggest that the impact of adolescent smoking on later subjective health is significant for individuals with low parental education but not individuals with high parental education. This effect was not found for parental income, highlighting the potential influence of parental education over income as a determinant of subjective health outcomes in relation to smoking.
Development and validation of the Trust in Government measure (TGM)
Authors: Burns Kathleen E. , Brown Patrick , Calnan Michael , Ward Paul R. , Little Jerrica , Betini Gustavo S. , Perlman Christopher M. , Nascimento Helena Godinho , Meyer Samantha B.
Published: October 2023

Background

Trust in government is associated with health behaviours and is an important consideration in population health interventions. While there is a reported decline in public trust in government across OECD countries, the tools used to measure trust are limited in their use for informing action to (re)build trust, and have limitations related to reliability and validity. To address the limitations of existing measures available to track public trust, the aim of the present work was to develop a new measure of trust in government.

Methods

Fifty-six qualitative interviews (Aug-Oct 2021; oversampling for equity-deserving populations) were conducted to design a national survey, including factor analyses and validation testing (N = 878; June 1-14th 2022) in Canada.

Results

The measure demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.96) and test validity (CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.09, SRMR = 0.03), suggesting that trust in government can be measured as a single underlying construct. It also demonstrated strong criterion validity, as measured by significant (p < 0.0001) associations of scores with vaccine hesitancy, vaccine conspiracy beliefs, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, trust in public health messaging about COVID-19, and trust in public health advice about COVID-19. We present the Trust in Government Measure (TGM); a 13-item unidimensional measure of trust in Federal government.

Conclusions

This measure can be used within high-income countries, particularly member countries within the OECD already in support of using tools to collect, publish and compare statistics. Our measure should be used by researchers and policy makers to measure trust in government as a key indicator of societal and public health.
Clinical study of drug-loaded calcium sulfate in the treatment of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children
Authors: Liu Dun , Rehemutula Aierken , Si Yu , Zhou Hongyu , Li Jingyang , Chen Zihao , Li Li
Published: October 2023

Background

At present, good results have been obtained in the treatment of hematogenous osteomyelitis(HO) in children by the use of drug-loaded calcium sulfate, but there are few clinical studies reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of radical debridement combined with drug-laden calcium sulphate antibiotics in paediatric haematogenous osteomyelitis.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 15 cases of pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis admitted to our hospital in recent years. A total of 15 pediatric patients with HO treated in our hospital from January 2018 to February 2022 were included for evaluation.

Results

All 15 patients were treated with drug-laden calcium sulfate, and the antibiotic of choice was vancomycin in 14 cases and vancomycin combined with gentamicin in 1 case. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 36 months, with a mean follow-up time of 24.73 months, and all children were treated with drug-laden calcium sulfate with satisfactory clinical outcomes. The results of serological examination showed that the preoperative white blood cell count level, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were higher than the postoperative ones, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).After the operation, referring to the treatment standard of McKee’s osteomyelitis, 15 cases were cured without recurrence; According to the Lower Extremities Functional Scale, 12 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good and 1 case was moderate, with an excellent rate of 93.33%. Children with lower limb involvement could walk with full weight bearing, and gait was basically normal.

Conclusion

Drug-loaded calcium sulfate is a good therapeutic method for the treatment of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children, with a effect of reducing complications and reducing recurrence.
Palliative care in Ethiopia’s rural and regional health care settings: a qualitative study of enabling factors and implementation challenges
Authors: Aregay Atsede , O’Connor Margaret , Stow Jill , Ayers Nicola , Lee Susan
Published: October 2023

Background

Palliative care is limited in Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas, where more than 78% of the population live. Current initiatives and research are focused on urban settings and are primarily donor dependent. This study aims to explore the status of palliative care, enabling factors and implementation challenges in Ethiopia’s rural and regional health care settings.

Methods

A qualitative regional case study was conducted with health professionals drawn from different health care settings, academic institutions and included health planners and practitioners. Focus groups were conducted with rural community members and face- to face- individual interviews were conducted with health professionals working in numerous roles as well as academic leaders.

Results

Participants indicated that despite a few leaders being aware of the inclusion of palliative care in the Ethiopia national policies and guidelines, palliative care is not, integrated into the existing health care system. Other participants responded that palliative care is not well integrated into the undergraduate and postgraduate courses except for limited content in the diploma and a few postgraduate courses. Participants described the challenges for palliative care implementation as follows: many lacked awareness about palliative care; and chronically ill patients other than those with HIV received inadequate care, limited to physical care, some pain management, and psychosocial support rather than comprehensive palliative care. In addition, some participants perceived that palliative care was not within the remit of their service, so families and patients were forced to seek alternative or informal care, including from traditional healers.

Conclusions

Enablers for the improvement of palliative care access in rural and regional health care were identified, including better integration of palliative care into the national health care plan and guidelines; palliative care content in university and college courses; and use of mobile phone technology to facilitate care. And policy makers and responsible stakeholders could consider the palliative care implementation in rural and regional health care settings through a combination of home, community and facility-based models.
A resilient workforce: patient safety and the workforce response to a cyber-attack on the ICT systems of the national health service in Ireland
Authors: Moore Gemma , Khurshid Zuneera , McDonnell Thérèse , Rogers Lisa , Healy Orla
Published: October 2023

Background

In May 2021, the Irish public health service was the target of a cyber-attack. The response by the health service resulted in the widespread removal of access to ICT systems. While services including radiology, diagnostics, maternity, and oncology were prioritised for reinstatement, recovery efforts continued for over four months. This study describes the response of health service staff to the loss of ICT systems, and the risk mitigation measures introduced to safely continue health services. The resilience displayed by frontline staff whose rapid and innovative response ensured continuity of safe patient care is explored.

Methods

To gain an in-depth understanding of staff experiences of the cyber-attack, eight focus groups (n = 36) were conducted. Participants from a diverse range of health services were recruited, including staff from radiology, pathology/laboratories, radiotherapy, maternity, primary care dental services, health and wellbeing, COVID testing, older person’s care, and disability services. Thematic Analysis was applied to the data to identify key themes.

Results

The impact of the cyber-attack varied across services depending on the type of care being offered, the reliance on IT systems, and the extent of local IT support. Staff stepped-up to the challenges and quickly developed and implemented innovative solutions, exhibiting great resilience, teamwork and adaptability, with a sharp focus on ensuring patient safety. The cyber-attack resulted in a flattening of the healthcare hierarchy, with shared decision-making at local levels leading to an empowered frontline workforce. However, participants in this study felt the stress placed on staff by the attack was more severe than the cumulative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Limited contingencies within the health system IT infrastructure - what we call a lack of system resilience - was compensated for by a resilient workforce. Within the context of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, this was an enormous burden on a dedicated workforce. The adverse impact of this attack may have long-term and far-reaching consequences for staff wellbeing. Design and investment in a resilient health system must be prioritised.
SGLT2 inhibition, circulating metabolites, and atrial fibrillation: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Jiang , Yu Yuefeng , Sun Ying , Yu Bowei , Tan Xiao , Wang Bin , Lu Yingli , Wang Ningjian
Published: October 2023

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown promise in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the results are controversial and the underlying metabolic mechanism remains unclear. Emerging evidence implied that SGLT2 inhibitors have extra beneficial metabolic effects on circulating metabolites beyond glucose control, which might play a role in reducing the risk of AF. Hence, our study aimed to investigate the effect of circulating metabolites mediating SGLT2 inhibition in AF by Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods

A two-sample and two-step MR study was conducted to evaluate the association of SGLT2 inhibition with AF and the mediation effects of circulating metabolites linking SGLT2 inhibition with AF. Genetic instruments for SGLT2 inhibition were identified as genetic variants, which were both associated with the expression of SLC5A2 gene and glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c). Positive control analysis on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was conducted to validate the selection of genetic instruments.

Results

Genetically predicted SGLT2 inhibition (per 1 SD decrement in HbA1c) was associated with reduced risk of T2DM (odds ratio [OR] = 0.63 [95% CI 0.45, 0.88], P = 0.006) and AF (0.51 [0.27, 0.97], P = 0.039). Among 168 circulating metabolites, two metabolites were both associated with SGLT2 inhibition and AF. The effect of SGLT2 inhibition on AF through the total concentration of lipoprotein particles (0.88 [0.81, 0.96], P = 0.004) and the concentration of HDL particles (0.89 [0.82, 0.97], P = 0.005), with a mediated proportion of 8.03% (95% CI [1.20%, 14.34%], P = 0.010) and 7.59% ([1.09%, 13.34%], P = 0.011) of the total effect, respectively.

Conclusions

This study supported the association of SGLT2 inhibition with a reduced risk of AF. The total concentration of lipoprotein particles and particularly the concentration of HDL particles might mediate this association. Further mechanistic and clinical studies research are needed to understand the mediation effects of circulating metabolites especially blood lipids in the association between SGLT2 inhibition and AF.
Two-step conversion of polyethylene into recombinant proteins using a microbial platform
Authors: Connor Alexander , Lamb Jessica V. , Delferro Massimiliano , Koffas Mattheos , Zha R. Helen
Published: October 2023

Background

The increasing prevalence of plastic waste combined with the inefficiencies of mechanical recycling has inspired interest in processes that can convert these waste streams into value-added biomaterials. To date, the microbial conversion of plastic substrates into biomaterials has been predominantly limited to polyhydroxyalkanoates production. Expanding the capabilities of these microbial conversion platforms to include a greater diversity of products generated from plastic waste streams can serve to promote the adoption of these technologies at a larger scale and encourage a more sustainable materials economy.

Results

Herein, we report the development of a new strain of Pseudomonas bacteria capable of converting depolymerized polyethylene into high value bespoke recombinant protein products. Using hexadecane, a proxy for depolymerized polyethylene, as a sole carbon nutrient source, we optimized media compositions that facilitate robust biomass growth above 1 × 109 cfu/ml, with results suggesting the benefits of lower hydrocarbon concentrations and the use of NH4Cl as a nitrogen source. We genomically integrated recombinant genes for green fluorescent protein and spider dragline-inspired silk protein, and we showed their expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, reaching titers of approximately 10 mg/L when hexadecane was used as the sole carbon source. Lastly, we demonstrated that chemically depolymerized polyethylene, comprised of a mixture of branched and unbranched alkanes, could be converted into silk protein by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at titers of 11.3 ± 1.1 mg/L.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates a microbial platform for the conversion of a both alkanes and plastic-derived substrates to recombinant, protein-based materials. The findings in this work can serve as a basis for future endeavors seeking to upcycle recalcitrant plastic wastes into value-added recombinant proteins.
KHDRBS3 accelerates glycolysis and promotes malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma via upregulating 14-3-3ζ
Authors: Zhao Mingda , Zhang Yibing , Li Longfei , Liu Xiaobin , Zhou Wenping , Wang Chunhui , Tang Yufu
Published: October 2023

Background

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. KH domain-containing, RNA-binding signal transduction-associated protein 3 (KHDRBS3) is an RNA-binding protein that is aberrantly expressed in multiple tumors; however, its expression and biological function in HCC have not been reported.

Methods

KHDRBS3 knockdown and overexpression were performed using the lentiviral vector system to investigate the effects of KHDRBS3 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, chemoresistance, and glycolysis. Murine xenograft tumor models were constructed to study the role of KHDRBS3 on tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, RNA-Pull Down and RNA immunoprecipitation were utilized to explore the interaction between KHDRBS3 and 14-3-3ζ, a phosphopeptide-binding molecule encoded by YWHAZ.

Results

KHDRBS3 was highly expressed in human HCC tissues and predicted the poor prognosis of patients with HCC. Knockdown of KHDRBS3 exhibited a carcinostatic effect in HCC and impeded proliferation and tumor growth, reduced glycolysis, enhanced cell sensitivity to doxorubicin, and induced apoptosis. On the contrary, forced expression of KHDRBS3 expedited the malignant biological behaviors of HCC cells. The expression of KHDRBS3 was positively correlated with the expression of 14-3-3ζ. RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays demonstrated that KHDRBS3 bound to YWHAZ. We further confirmed that 14-3-3ζ silencing significantly reversed the promotion of proliferation and glycolysis and the inhibition of apoptosis caused by KHDRBS3 overexpression.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that KHDRBS3 promotes glycolysis and malignant progression of HCC through upregulating 14-3-3ζ expression, providing a possible target for HCC therapy.