bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health-seeking behavior among non-communicable disease patients globally, systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Anagaw Tadele Fentabil , Melaku Mazengia Elyas , Bogale Eyob Ketema , Talie Fenta Eneyew , Eshetu Habitu Birhan , Kebede Natnael , Gelaw Sintayehu Shiferaw , Zewdie Amare , Kassie Tadele Derbew
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

Non-communicable disease contributes to over 42 million deaths worldwide and it is estimated that 86% of non-communicable disease-related mortalities happen in low and middle-income countries. Understanding health-seeking behaviors like initiating care at the right time, with the right provider and maintaining regularity of care seeking is a prelude for a successful management of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the pooled prevalence of health-seeking behavior for non-communicable disease and associated factors worldwide.

Method:

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis checklist guideline was followed for this review and meta-analysis. Electronic data base, PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Web of science, Google scholar and Science direct were used to retrieve studies reported in English language with publication year since 2018 worldwide. Studies reporting proportion of health-seeking behavior for non-communicable disease were evaluated. The pooled prevalence, odds ratio and confidence interval were calculated using Stata version 17 software. The quality of studies included in this review was checked using modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational study checklist.

Result:

Ten studies which involved 63,498 patients with non-communicable disease were included in this review. The pooled estimated proportion of health-seeking behavior among non-communicable diseases patients from health facilities were 56% (95% CI: 44–68). Older age > 60, urban residency, being of female gender, high educational status, getting support during treatment, knowledge on non-communicable disease, having more than one non-communicable disease, presences of health insurance and middle and upper economic class were factors positively associated with health-seeking behavior for non-communicable diseases.

Conclusion:

Despite the fact that more than half of patients with non-communicable diseases have health-seeking behavior in health facilities, still, there are a considerable number of individuals with non-communicable diseases having no health-seeking behavior worldwide. Therefore, organizations working for the welfare of human betterment would do well in implementing strategies that could improve health-seeking behavior that would help to reduce the burdens on health systems and prevent premature death from non-communicable diseases.
Smart home healthcare for chronic disease management: A scoping review
Authors: Dhamanti Inge , Nia Ika M. , Nagappan Krishnaraj , Srikaanth Balaji P.
Published: December 2023

Objective

Chronic disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Recent use of intelligent home environments for remote health monitoring has allowed patients to feel safe at home. By encouraging patient engagement and, if necessary, care delivery, smart home environments may be a useful method for managing chronic diseases at home. The purpose of this study is to synthesize the evidence on the usage of smart healthcare in the home for chronic illness management.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Methodology and searched three databases from 2017 to 2022 for original research papers on smart healthcare, smart home technology, home-based technology, home monitoring, and physiological monitoring for chronic illness management. We did a descriptive study on the pertinent data we collected, as well as an analysis of whether the devices met its objectives.

Results

The final analysis included nine papers, the majority of which were randomized controlled trials. All of the studies were carried out in developed countries. The gadgets or smart healthcare in these studies are categorized based on the technology used and the outcomes measured. Respiratory, weight, and ballistocardiograph measurements, as well as changes in questionnaire ratings, hospitalization, activity monitoring, device acceptability, medication adherence, exercise capacity, and body function, were all measured.

Conclusion

Smart healthcare applications boost health by monitoring health and wellness, recording physical activity and rehabilitation, and improving overall quality of life. Not all smart home applications, however, served their intended purpose. As a result, more research into the efficacy of smart healthcare is needed to improve its application for chronic illness treatment.
Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of physical activity to counteract the workers’ oxidative stress. A pilot study
Authors: Ghelli Federica , Squillacioti Giulia , Bellisario Valeria , El Sherbiny Samar , Guglieri Fulvia , Picone Giulia M. , Bono Roberto
Published: December 2023

Objective

Office workers spend typically more than two-thirds of their working time sitting and this negative behaviour could have been increased during the pandemic. Low levels of Physical Activity (PA) can have detrimental effects on health, well-being, and Quality of Life (QoL), as well as on the oxidative stress burden. Our aim was to evaluate the role of moderate PA remotely administered in modulating the bio-molecular profile and the QoL of a group of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The 26 subjects recruited were sampled at the beginning of the study (T0), after 3 months of remotely administered training (T1), and 3 months after the suspension of the online workouts (T2). Each of the three times, subjects filled out a questionnaire and provided a spot urine sample for the quantification of oxidative stress (15-F2t-Isoprostane, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), and Total Antioxidant Power (TAP)) and inflammatory biomarkers (Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10).

Results

The PA administration resulted in a significant decrease in 15-F2t-Isoprostane ( p = 0.02) and TAP ( p = 0.019). A significant increase in TAP was observed between T1 and T2 ( p = 0.044).

Conclusion

A PA-based health promotion strategy could be a valuable intervention in the working environment to promote the well-being of an ageing workforce, especially for white collars.
Understanding Feature Importance in Musical Works: Unpacking Predictive Contributions to Cluster Analyses
Authors: Anderson Cameron J. , Schutz Michael
Published: December 2023

Cluster analysis provides insight into musical patterns in composition, performance, and perception. Despite its wide adoption in music research, understanding how specific features affect clustering solutions remains challenging. For example, features such as mode (i.e., major/minor), timing, signal amplitude, and pitch are often intercorrelated, making it difficult to understand their specific role within different clusters. To demonstrate how accumulated local effects (ALEs) can help with this challenge, here we analyze 48 excerpts from complete sets of preludes by Bach and Chopin, showing how specific features contribute to two- and three-cluster analyses. These exploratory analyses reveal that ALEs can identify salient or subtle data patterns from cluster analyses by tracking how changes in features affect cluster membership. We explore these insights in visualizations quantifying feature importance and an interactive companion application ( https://maplelab.net/feature-importance/ ) featuring the analyzed audio. Following a demonstration of this method, we suggest how it can be applied to explore topics of interest to researchers in music information retrieval, empirical musicology, and music cognition alike.
Age and Party Choice: Generational Shift in India
Authors: Kailash K. K.
Published: December 2023

India is in the throes of a massive demographic turn. People born and brought up after 1986 constitute the bulk of the population. Studies elsewhere show that generational replacement transforms societies and can play a key role in changing the political attitudes and behaviour of the electorate. Over the last few general elections the Indian National Congress has witnessed a steady decline in support, while the Bharatiya Janata Party has seen a surge in support. This article examines whether the decline of the Congress party is linked to a demographic shift that is taking place. The study demonstrates that generations as socio-historical space helps us nuance party-choice explanations.
Media Exposure and Vote Choice in India, 1996–2019
Authors: Sardesai Shreyas
Published: December 2023

This article examines the relationship between media consumption and voting choices in India in the context of increasing exposure to media, both traditional and new. Using media exposure-related data from the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies’ (CSDS) national election surveys since 1996, it makes a few key assertions. Historically, there has been a positive relationship between traditional news media exposure and voting for the BJP, i.e., the greater the voters’ TV and newspaper consumption, the higher their support for the BJP. With respect to the Congress party, the tendency has generally been the opposite. This pattern now extends to social media exposure as well. However, this impact of media exposure on voting preferences that’s visible at the broad level weakens considerably when slicing the data further by socio-demographic factors. It has been found that the trend of the BJP’s vote share rising with increasing exposure to media is not consistent across the categories of age, education, and caste during many elections. If there is one election, however, that bucked this trend, it was the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The article argues that the BJP was successful in recognizing this and capitalized on it through an extensive media and communications campaign in 2014.
Book review: Nazima Parveen, Contested Homelands: Politics of Space and Identity
Authors: Dubey Shruti
Published: December 2023

Nazima Parveen, Contested Homelands: Politics of Space and Identity. New Delhi: Bloomsbury, 2021, 311 pages, ₹1,299.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Lebanese Critical Care Nurses’ Perceptions: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study
Authors: Salloum Ali , Fawaz Mirna , Rayan Ahmad , Hamaideh Shaher H. , Hani Salam Bani , ALBashtawy Mohammed , Al-Bashaireh Ahmad M. , Khraisat Omar M. , Khatatbeh Haitham , Alkhawaldeh Abdullah , Abdalrahim Asem , ALBashtawy Sa'd
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The training of nursing staff to deliver extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Lebanon has recently attracted attention. It is important to comprehend the background of nurses who take on this new duty.

Objectives

The main objectives of this study were to (1) explore the experiences of intensive care unit nursing staff who work with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, (2) identify the psychological and physiological challenges experienced by intensive care unit nurses while managing patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and (3) determine the roles assumed by intensive care unit nurses while managing patients utilizing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Methods

A qualitative phenomenological design utilizing semistructured interviews utilizing a purposive sampling of 15 intensive care unit nurses using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation devices. Interviews were audio recorded, verbatim transcribed, and thematically analyzed.

Results

Three themes emerged, namely (1) nurses’ role in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, (2) skills and training, and (3) challenges faced by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation nurses.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that nurses play a crucial role in providing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patient care, placing them under significant occupational stress due to the intensive care unit's routine workload and the demands of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Additionally, role confusion brought on by a lack of professional practice norms and emotional exhaustion made occupational pressure worse.
Dakar has lost its lungs: What the spatialised inequalities of waste can tell us about climate (im)mobilities
Authors: Walker Sarah
Published: December 2023

Described by Senegalese scholar Felwine Sarr as a city that has ‘lost its lungs’, Dakar is significantly affected by the climate crisis. In particular, coastal erosion driven by rising sea levels and rapid urbanisation, which is exacerbating problems with waste. Drawing on Mbembe’s concept of the universal right to breathe, focus is placed upon waste in Dakar as a means to analyse relations of power and the spatialised inequalities of environments and (im)mobility that are embedded within racial capitalism. Dakar’s coastal fishing communities and the landfill site, Mbeubeuss, areas where internal rural migrants move to seek employment, are taken as case studies of waste(d) spaces and complex mobilities. Once seasonal, these historical rural to urban mobility patterns are shifting through the combined impacts of the climate crisis and socio-economic structural factors destroying agricultural livelihoods. Concomitantly, Dakar’s fishing ecosystem is itself impacted by the climate crisis, ocean grabbing, rapid urbanisation, as well as waste, leading some people to feel they have ‘no choice’ but to risk their lives crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. Through focus on waste, a counternarrative is then given to contest depoliticised narratives of climate migrants as threat to the Global North, visibilising instead the unequal power structures at the heart of the climate crisis. A counter narrative that includes resistance and draws attention to the multiple ways in which people seek to endure and to contest spatialised inequalities through im/mobility.
Using bone char as phosphate recycling fertiliser: an analysis of the new EU Fertilising Products Regulation
Authors: Heyl Katharine , Garske Beatrice , Ekardt Felix
Published: December 2023

Background

Phosphorus recycling is an important cornerstone of sustainable phosphorus management and required to establish a circular economy in line with the EU Green Deal. Animal bones contain phosphate which can be recovered and processed into bone char. Animal bone char has a fertiliser potential. In the past, the EU lacked measures to market these fertilisers on the internal market. With the adoption of the Fertilising Products Regulation in 2019, the EU sought to incentivise recycling fertiliser production. Against this backdrop, the aim of this paper is to first provide the key elements of the new regulation and to second assess the extent to which it enables marketing bone chars as fertilisers. To this end, a qualitative governance analysis is applied.

Results

Results show that the Fertilising Products Regulation closes an important regulatory gap by establishing the legal framework for diverse recycling fertilisers, including bone char fertilisers. However, a lengthy adoption process hinders the marketing of bone char fertilisers and contaminant limits require improvement.

Conclusions

Ultimately, the promotion and use of recycling fertilisers is a necessary but complementary approach for the circular economy. A comprehensive transformation of the sector is needed to align it with global environmental goals.
Genomic characterization of a nematode tolerance locus in sugar beet
Authors: Sielemann Katharina , Pucker Boas , Orsini Elena , Elashry Abdelnaser , Schulte Lukas , Viehöver Prisca , Müller Andreas E. , Schechert Axel , Weisshaar Bernd , Holtgräwe Daniela
Published: December 2023

Background

Infection by beet cyst nematodes (BCN, Heterodera schachtii) causes a serious disease of sugar beet, and climatic change is expected to improve the conditions for BCN infection. Yield and yield stability under adverse conditions are among the main breeding objectives. Breeding of BCN tolerant sugar beet cultivars offering high yield in the presence of the pathogen is therefore of high relevance.

Results

To identify causal genes providing tolerance against BCN infection, we combined several experimental and bioinformatic approaches. Relevant genomic regions were detected through mapping-by-sequencing using a segregating F2 population. DNA sequencing of contrasting F2 pools and analyses of allele frequencies for variant positions identified a single genomic region which confers nematode tolerance. The genomic interval was confirmed and narrowed down by genotyping with newly developed molecular markers. To pinpoint the causal genes within the potential nematode tolerance locus, we generated long read-based genome sequence assemblies of the tolerant parental breeding line Strube U2Bv and the susceptible reference line 2320Bv. We analyzed continuous sequences of the potential locus with regard to functional gene annotation and differential gene expression upon BCN infection. A cluster of genes with similarity to the Arabidopsis thaliana gene encoding nodule inception protein-like protein 7 (NLP7) was identified. Gene expression analyses confirmed transcriptional activity and revealed clear differences between susceptible and tolerant genotypes.

Conclusions

Our findings provide new insights into the genomic basis of plant-nematode interactions that can be used to design and accelerate novel management strategies against BCN.
Genome-wide selective signatures mining the candidate genes for egg laying in goose
Authors: Zhao Hongchang , Sun Guobo , Mu Xiaohui , Li Xiaoming , Wang Jun , Zhao Mengli , Zhang Gansheng , Ji Rongchao , Chen Chao , Gao Guangliang , Wang Jian
Published: December 2023

Background

Improving the egg production of goose is a crucial goal of breeding, because genetics is the key factor affecting egg production. Thus, we sequenced the genomes of 55 Chinese indigenous geese from six breeds, which were divided into the high egg-laying group (ZE, HY, and SC) and low egg-laying group (ZD, LH, and ST). Based on the results of the inter-population selection signal analysis, we mined the selected genome regions in the high egg-laying germplasm population to identify the key candidate genes affecting the egg-laying traits.

Results

According to the whole-genome sequencing data, the average sequencing depth reached 11.75X. The genetic relationships among those six goose breeds coincided with the breed’s geographical location. The six selective signal detection results revealed that the most selected regions were located on Chr2 and Chr12. In total, 12,051 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites were selected in all six methods. Using the enrichment results of candidate genes, we detected some pathways involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and female gonadal development that may cause differences in egg production. Examples of these pathways were the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway (IGF2, COMP, and FGFR4), animal organ morphogenesis (IGF2 and CDX4), and female gonad development (TGFB2).

Conclusion

On analyzing the genetic background of six local goose breeds by using re-sequencing data, we found that the kinship was consistent with their geographic location. 107 egg-laying trait-associated candidate genes were mined through six selection signal analysis. Our study provides a critical reference for analyzing the molecular mechanism underlying differences in reproductive traits and molecular breeding of geese.
Transcriptomics reveals a core transcriptional network of K-type cytoplasmic male sterility microspore abortion in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Wu Baolin , Xia Yu , Zhang Gaisheng , Wang Yongqing , Wang Junwei , Ma Shoucai , Song Yulong , Yang Zhiquan , Ma Lingjian , Niu Na
Published: December 2023

Background

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) plays a crucial role in hybrid production. K-type CMS, a cytoplasmic male sterile line of wheat with the cytoplasms of Aegilops kotschyi, is widely used due to its excellent characteristics of agronomic performance, easy maintenance and easy restoration. However, the mechanism of its pollen abortion is not yet clear.

Results

In this study, wheat K-type CMS MS(KOTS)-90-110 (MS line) and it’s fertile near-isogenic line MR (KOTS)-90-110 (MR line) were investigated. Cytological analysis indicated that the anthers of MS line microspore nucleus failed to divide normally into two sperm nucleus and lacked starch in mature pollen grains, and the key abortive period was the uninucleate stage to dinuclear stage. Then, we compared the transcriptome of MS line and MR line anthers at these two stages. 11,360 and 5182 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the MS and MR lines in the early uninucleate and binucleate stages, respectively. Based on GO enrichment and KEGG pathways analysis, it was evident that significant transcriptomic differences were “plant hormone signal transduction”, “MAPK signaling pathway” and “spliceosome”. We identified 17 and 10 DEGs associated with the IAA and ABA signal transduction pathways, respectively. DEGs related to IAA signal transduction pathway were downregulated in the early uninucleate stage of MS line. The expression level of DEGs related to ABA pathway was significantly upregulated in MS line at the binucleate stage compared to MR line. The determination of plant hormone content and qRT-PCR further confirmed that hormone imbalance in MS lines. Meanwhile, 1 and 2 DEGs involved in ABA and Ethylene metabolism were also identified in the MAPK cascade pathway, respectively; the significant up regulation of spliceosome related genes in MS line may be another important factor leading to pollen abortion.

Conclusions

We proposed a transcriptome-mediated pollen abortion network for K-type CMS in wheat. The main idea is hormone imbalance may be the primary factor, MAPK cascade pathway and alternative splicing (AS) may also play important regulatory roles in this process. These findings provided intriguing insights for the molecular mechanism of microspore abortion in K-type CMS, and also give useful clues to identify the crucial genes of CMS in wheat.
Inaccessibility, unresponsiveness, inconsistency, and invisibility of informal caregivers of older persons with cognitive impairment: community-based participatory research
Authors: Okamura Tsuyoshi , Ura Chiaki , Kugimiya Yukiko , Okamura Mutsuko , Yamamura Masako , Okado Hidemi , Kaneko Mayumi , Yamashita Mari , Wakui Tomoko
Published: December 2023

Background

Studies on informal caregivers in Japan have been limited to family caregivers and largely conducted where family caregivers generally gather. Family caregivers who do not visit such places or non-family caregivers are generally overlooked, and data on these informal caregivers remains scant. Consequently, a framework is needed through which healthcare professionals can approach the informal caregivers of community-dwelling older persons. Therefore, this study approaches such informal caregivers and proposes a classification system for them from the starting point of older persons living in the community with cognitive impairment.

Methods

In 2016, we conducted an epidemiological survey of 7000 + community-dwelling older persons and identified 198 residents with Mini-mental state examination scores less than 23. A team of healthcare professionals contacted them regularly. By 2022, 92 people were still living in the community, and we systematically asked them about their informal caregivers. After approaching the caregivers and obtaining informed consent, we mailed separate questionnaires to older persons and informal caregivers.

Results

Among the caregivers, 59%, 34%, and 3% were the child, spouse, and sibling of the older person, while the remaining 4% were non-family caregivers. Except for two daughters-in-laws, all children were biological children of the older person. Male caregivers (46%) tended to have full-time jobs, whereas female caregivers (54%) tended to face financial difficulties. Only 3% of the caregivers had joined a family caregivers’ association. Caregivers’ reason for not joining such organizations was a lack of time and knowledge. A 3-tiered classification system was developed for these informal caregivers: (1) the household form, (2) accessibility, and (3) the reciprocal awareness of caregiving. Furthermore, family caregivers who lived with the older person or visited them more than once a week with reciprocal awareness of caring and being cared, or “traditional caregivers,” accounted for 68% of the caregivers in this study.

Conclusion

Core family caregivers can be easily approached at places where such caregivers generally gather. However, there also exists a group of informal caregivers who are sometimes inaccessible, unresponsive, and invisible to healthcare professionals. Moreover, their awareness of caregiving is sometimes inconsistent.
Decreased NK cell count is a high-risk factor for convulsion in children with COVID-19
Authors: Shi Ting , Bian Yuanxi , Wu Jiahui , Li Xiaohong , Deng Jianping , Feng Tao , Huang Linlin , Kong Xiaoxing , Tian Jianmei
Published: December 2023

Background

The neurological symptoms caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are of increasing concern. Convulsions are among the main neurological manifestations reported in children with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and cause serious harm to physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for convulsion in children with COVID-19.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Soochow University. In total, 102 COVID-19 patients with convulsion, 172 COVID-19 patients without convulsion, and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The children’s clinical and laboratory data were analyzed to assess the risk factors for convulsion in COVID-19 patients.

Results

Convulsions occurred in 37.2% of children, mostly those aged 1–3 years, who were hospitalized with the Omicron variant. The neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume-to-platelet ratio (MPR) were significantly higher in the convulsion group than those in the non-convulsion and control groups (P < 0.01). However, the counts of lymphocytes, eosinophils, platelets, lymphocyte subsets, CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and NK cells were lower in the convulsion group than those in the non-convulsion and control groups (P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that NK cell count (OR = 0.081, 95% CI: 0.010–0.652) and a history of febrile seizure (OR = 10.359, 95% CI: 2.115–50.746) were independent risk factors for the appearance of convulsions in COVID-19.

Conclusions

History of febrile seizure and decreased NK cell count were high-risk factors for convulsions in COVID-19 patients.
Identifying effective factors to alleviate postnatal distress and coronavirus anxiety in mothers of hospitalized preterm neonates
Authors: Sadat Borghei Narjes , Zahra Mehrbakhsh , Fatemeh Torklalebaq
Published: December 2023

Background

Given the critical importance of mental health in mothers of preterm neonates during the postpartum period for Population Youth Programs, our research aims to ascertain the correlation between postnatal distress and corona-induced anxiety in women who have hospitalized preterm neonates.

Methods

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with a sample of 275 mothers of preterm neonates, were hospitalized in Gorgan city in 2020. Data collection was facilitated through the Corona Anxiety (CA) and Postnatal Distress Measured Scale (PDM). For data analysis, Spearman’s correlation and univariate and multiple linear regression were employed.

Results

The average age of the participating mothers was 28.61 ± 6.173 years, and the average gestational age of the neonates was 32.8 ± 2.89 weeks. The study found a significant, positive correlation between CA and PDM. Controlling for other variables through multiple regression analysis, the factors that significantly influenced PDM were employment status (β = 3.88, p < 0.01), education level (β = 1.96, p = 0.032), and gestational age (β=-0.60, p < 0.001). Furthermore, number of living children (β=-4.77, p = 0.01), education (β=-2.37, p = 0.01), and gestational age (β=-0.91, p < 0.001) were the factors that were significantly associated with CA scores.

Conclusions

The correlation between CA and PDM suggests that preterm neonate’s mothers experienced increased anxiety during the pandemic. Considering the factors influencing these anxieties, targeted programs should be developed to enhance the mental health of these mothers in future pandemics. The finding that women with more children experienced less CA could serve as evidence of the positive impact of having children on the mental health of women with premature infants during a pandemic.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts induce sorafenib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through CXCL12/FOLR1
Authors: Zhao Jiali , Lin En , Bai Zirui , Jia Yingbin , Wang Bo , Dai Yihua , Zhuo Wenfeng , Zeng Guifang , Liu Xialei , Cai Chaonong , Li Peiping , Zou Baojia , Li Jian
Published: December 2023

Background

Due to the high drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sorafenib has limited efficacy in the treatment of advanced HCC. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important regulatory role in the induction of chemoresistance. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism underlying CAF-mediated resistance to sorafenib in HCC.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that the activation of CAFs was enhanced in HCC tissues. CAFs and paracancerous normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from the cancer and paracancerous tissues of HCC, respectively. Cell cloning assays, ELISAs, and flow cytometry were used to detect whether CAFs induced sorafenib resistance in HCC cells via CXCL12. Western blotting and qPCR showed that CXCL12 induces sorafenib resistance in HCC cells by upregulating FOLR1. We investigated whether FOLR1 was the target molecule of CAFs regulating sorafenib resistance in HCC cells by querying gene expression data for human HCC specimens from the GEO database.

Results

High levels of activated CAFs were present in HCC tissues but not in paracancerous tissues. CAFs decreased the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib. We found that CAFs secrete CXCL12, which upregulates FOLR1 in HCC cells to induce sorafenib resistance.

Conclusions

CAFs induce sorafenib resistance in HCC cells through CXCL12/FOLR1.
How parents experience their adolescent’s disclosure of previous sexual abuse: a qualitative study
Authors: Mauny Philippe , Guessoum Sélim Benjamin , Moro Marie Rose , Radjack Rahmeth , Carretier Émilie
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Parents whom adolescents disclose sexual abuse face both a personal traumatic experience, and the need to support their child who is going through a grueling period and needs them. Many quantitative studies exploring the psychological impact of disclosure on parents have been conducted, but few have used qualitative methods. The objective of this study is to explore parents’ experiences of their adolescent’s disclosure of sexual abuse during psychiatric care, identify the possible beneficial factors and shortcomings, share this knowledge, and improve interventions for these families.

Methods

We conducted semi structured interviews with parents whose children disclosed sexual abuse during their psychiatric care in Paris and analyzed these interviews using a phenomenological framework (interpretative phenomenological analysis).

Results

This study analyzed 13 semi structured interviews of 9 mothers and 4 fathers whose children were then aged 14 to 17 years. Qualitative analysis uncovered three themes: (1) Parents: alerts and search for support; (2) Between parents and adolescents: a disruption in relationships linked to the disclosure and its legal consequences; (3) Disclosure at the family level: the possible reactivation of a traumatic past and the search for a new equilibrium.

Conclusions

Considering the parental experience is essential in caring for adolescent patients after they disclose sexual abuse. The need for parental or family psychological support should be systematically assessed. Possible resurgence of parental trauma requires psychiatrists’ careful consideration.
Correlation between white matter hyperintensity and delusional symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fan Wei , Ma Shaolun , Wang Ziqi , Han Yuanyuan , Liu Xiaowei , Gu Rui , Cai Qingyan
Published: December 2023

Background

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) often exhibit neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), particularly delusions. Previous studies have shown an association between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and specific NPS. This study aims to explore the relationship between WMH volume and delusions in AD patients by comparing the WMH volumes of delusional and non-delusional subgroups.

Methods

80 AD patients were divided into a delusion group (n = 36) and a non-delusion group (n = 44) based on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The brain cortical volume and WMH volume were quantitatively calculated for all 80 patients, including total WMH volume, periventricular WMH (PVWMH) volume, deep WMH volume, as well as bilateral frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and occipital lobe WMH volumes. Firstly, we compared the differences in WMH volumes between the delusion group and non-delusion group. Then, within the delusion group, we further categorized patients based on severity scores of their delusional symptoms into mild (1 point), moderate (2 points), or severe groups (3 points). We compared the WMH volumes among these three groups to investigate the role of WMH volume in delusional symptoms.

Results

There was a significant difference in left occipital lobe WMH volume between the delusion group and non-delusion group(P < 0.05). Within the delusion group itself, there were significant differences in overall WMH volume as well as PVWMH volume among patients with mild or severe levels of delusions(P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Left occipital lobe WMH volume may be associated with the occurrence of delusional AD patients, and the total volume of whole-brain WMH and PVWMH volume may affect the degree of severity of delusional symptoms.
School and class closures and adolescent mental health during the second and later waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland: a repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Rimpelä Arja , Kesanto-Jokipolvi Heidi , Myöhänen Anna , Heikonen Lauri , Oinas Sanna , Ahtiainen Raisa
Published: December 2023

Background

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have shown deterioration of adolescents’ mental health when comparing periods before and after the start of the pandemic when there were national school closures. Less is known of the following waves with more variation in school closures and their duration. We study here, if variation in school or class closures was related to adolescents’ mental health, if the duration mattered, and if the relationships were gender sensitive.

Methods

All comprehensive schools in Finland were invited to participate. Students (grades 7–9, age 13–16 years) answered digitally in November–December 2020 (n = 41,041) and April–May 2021 (n = 28,501). The responses were given anonymously. Mental health was measured by daily health complaints and moderate/severe anxiety (GAD-7, only in 2021). School and class closures were combined to a variable (yes/no). The duration of a closure was analysed in weeks. Logistic regression analysis was used.

Results

In 2020, 14% of pupils reported a school closure and 33% in 2021. The gender-adjusted odds for daily health complaints were higher among those with the school or class closure compared to those without (OR = 1.2 (1.1–1.3) in 2020; OR = 1.3 (1.2–1.3) in 2021). For anxiety, the corresponding OR was 1.3 (1.2–1.4). Girls had higher odds for both measures than boys and the non-binary gender had the highest. A one-week increase in the duration of closure had a small effect on daily health complaints OR = 1.05 (1.02–1.09) in 2020; OR = 1.05 (1.02–1.08) in 2021) and anxiety OR = 1.05 (1.01–1.08). Gender differences in the associations of the school or class closure with mental health were negligible.

Conclusions

A specific negative influence of school or class closures on adolescents’ mental health was seen when comparing those who had school/class closure and those who did not during the further waves of the pandemic. The duration of closure had a small effect, too. The non-binary gender had lowest mental health, but the influence of school closure on mental health was mainly similar between the genders. School closures are one of the factors in adolescents’ mental health, but not the only one.
The influence of meaningful work on the mental health of SME employees in the COVID-19 era: can coping strategies mediate the relationship?
Authors: Jalil Muhammad Farhan , Ali Azlan
Published: December 2023

Background

Stress, depression, and anxiety are prevalent issues among SME employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even while having meaningful work that expressively contributes to individual growth has been related to improving mental health, employees’ work may also need to adopt coping strategies to increase outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between meaningful work (positive meaning, meaning-making, and greater good motivations) and mental health, as well as coping strategies (problem-focused and emotion-focused) as a mediator of this relationship.

Methods

Meaningful work, coping strategies, and mental health were evaluated in empirical research based on a sample of 462 SME employees working in Malaysia. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data and analyze it through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS 21.0.

Results

The findings of the study show the importance of meaningful work in influencing the mental health of SME employees, particularly during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that the more they value and see their work as meaningful, the more capable they are of dealing with limitations and mental health problems associated with crises. The study also discovered a partial mediating role for coping strategies between employees’ mental health and meaningful work.

Conclusion

This study encourages employees to constantly feel connected and discover continued possibilities to work and learn even during crisis situations. In order to improve human resource efficiency in emerging markets, managers and owners of SMEs must implement the model developed by the researchers.
m6A modification patterns are associated with copy number burden and tumor immune landscape in thyroid cancer
Authors: Cai Liangliang , Liu Tingting , Hua Hujia , Jiang Xingyu , Qian Li
Published: December 2023

Background

The association involving N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, molecular subtype and specific immune cell group in tumor microenvironment has been the focus of recent studies. The underlying function of m6A modification in thyroid cancer (TC) remains elusive.

Methods

The m6A modification regulations, molecular character and tumor immune profile of 461 TC patients were explored and then the correlation between them were comprehensively evaluated. The m6Ascore was established using principal component analysis (PCA) to quantify the m6A pattern of individual TC patients. The prognostic significance of the m6Ascore was evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

Four m6Aclusters (mc1, 2, 3, 4)—characterized by differences in extent of aneuploidy, expression of immunomodulatory genes, mRNA or lncRNA expression pattern and prognosis were identified. T Preliminary validation of m6Ascore was a potential independent prognostic factor of TC involving in mc3. Finally, the prognostic value of the m6Ascore and its association with copy number variation (CNV) and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of TC in mc3 were verified.

Conclusions

The correlation between m6A modification, the copy number burden and tumor immune landscape in TC was demonstrated. A m6Acluster-mc3 with low m6Ascore and high CNV molecular subtype was identified with poor clinical prognosis, low infiltrating immunocyte and weak effector T cell. A three-gene clinical prognosis model for TC based on 4 m6a cluster expression was established. Understanding of TIME is enhanced by comprehensive assessment of m6A patterns in individual TC patients and gives a new insight toward improved immunotherapy strategies for TC cancer patients.
Womandla Health: development and rationale of a behavioral intervention to support HIV treatment adherence among postpartum women in South Africa
Authors: Pellowski Jennifer A. , Jensen Destry , Tsawe Nokwazi , Colvin Christopher , Cu-Uvin Susan , Operario Don , Lurie Mark , Harrison Abigail , Myer Landon , Knight Lucia
Published: December 2023

Background

While Option B + has made great strides in eliminating vertical transmission of HIV and improving access to lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for women, the postpartum period remains a risk period for disengagement from HIV care and non-adherence.

Methods

Longitudinal qualitative data was collected from 30 women living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa from pregnancy through 1 year postpartum to examine key barriers and facilitators to HIV treatment adherence across this transition. Participants were also asked about their preferences for behavioral intervention content, format, and scope. The intervention development process was guided by Fernandez et al.’s Intervention Mapping process and was informed by the qualitative data, the wider literature on ART adherence, and Transition Theory.

Results

The Womandla Health Intervention is a multicomponent intervention consisting of four individual sessions with a lay health worker and four peer group sessions, which span late pregnancy and early postpartum. These sessions are guided by Transition Theory and utilize motivational interviewing techniques to empower women to ascertain their own individual barriers to HIV care and identify solutions and strategies to overcome these barriers.

Conclusions

This intervention will be tested in a small scale RCT. If successful, findings will provide an innovative approach to HIV treatment by capitalizing on the transition into motherhood to bolster self-care behaviors, focusing on ART adherence and also women’s overall postpartum health and psychosocial needs.
“It is more isolating to patients if you aren’t familiar with the resources”: a pilot test of a clinician sensitivity training on eating disorders in pregnancy
Authors: Khan Zoya A. , Lilly Christa L. , DeFazio Caterina , Claydon Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2023

It is more isolating to patients if you aren’t familiar with the resources: A pilot test of a clinician sensitivity training on eating disorders in pregnancy.

(IRB Number: 1909705198).

Background Pregnant women with a history of eating disorders (EDs) or active EDs have greater maternal and child health complications. They are also unlikely to disclose their history with an ED to their clinician, few of which are confident in their knowledge to provide appropriate care for patients who present with EDs. This study’s goal was to evaluate changes to knowledge, behavior, and attitudes for health professionals who were part of a sensitivity training (to provide information of and awareness, address potential clinician biases, and offer strategies for more patient-centered care with de-stigmatizing language) about eating disorders and pregnancy compared with those who received a reference document.

Methods Our pilot study compared responses of health professionals before and after this sensitivity training (N = 54) with a group who were provided a clinician reference document about the same topic (N = 61).

Results Mann–Whitney Wilcoxon tests showed significant differences between the sensitivity training and reference document groups, with the sensitivity training resulting in increases to participants’ perception of ED’s relevance to overall treatment (p = 0.018), comfort in providing resources (p < 0.0001), frequency of ability to introduce strategies (p = 0.001), and interest in additional strategies/recommendations in treating patients with eating disorders (p = 0.009). Thematic analysis of the open-ended responses indicated four major themes: Resources and support, Treatment, Additional training, and Clinician Strategies.

Discussion Results indicated that the sensitivity training improved training outcomes compared to the reference document group. Qualitative responses from both groups indicated four themes that can help inform ED-centered care. This study provides context for future directions for continuing education courses as well as clinical training recommendations for treating pregnant patients with EDs.
The cancer nursing workforce in Australia: a national survey exploring determinants of job satisfaction
Authors: Bradford Natalie , Moore Elizabeth , Taylor Karen , Cook Olivia , Gent Lucy , Beane Theresa , Williams Natalie , Alexander Kimberly , Pitt Erin , Still Jemma , Wellard Cameron , McErlean Gemma , Kirk Deborah , Monterosso Leanne , McCarthy Alexandra , Lokmic-Tomkins Zerina , Balson Jessica , Gates Priscilla ,   the CNSA Research Standing Committee,   the CNSA Board of Directors, Cummings Meredith , Mellon Anne , Davey Diane , Schnoonbeek Sue , Vicar Gabby , White Kate
Published: December 2023

Background

To maintain and improve the quality of the cancer nursing workforce, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence retention and job satisfaction. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of cancer nurses in Australia and identify predictors of job satisfaction.

Methods

We analysed data from an anonymous cross-sectional survey distributed through the Cancer Nurses Society Australia membership and social media platforms from October 2021 to February 2022. The survey was compared to national nursing registration data. Data were analysed with non-parametric tests, and a stepwise, linear regression model was developed to best predict job satisfaction.

Results

Responses were received from 930 cancer nurses. Most respondents (85%) described themselves as experienced nurses, and more than half had post-graduate qualifications. We identified individual, organizational, and systemic factors that contribute to job satisfaction and can impact in workforce shortages. The findings include strategies to address and prioritize workforce challenges. There were 89 different titles for advanced practice nursing roles. Managing high workload was a reported challenge by 88%. Intention to stay less than 10 years was reported by nearly 60%; this was significantly correlated with job satisfaction and age. Significantly higher scores for job satisfaction were associated with those who had career progression opportunities, career development opportunities, adequate peer support and a clearly defined scope of role. Conversely, job satisfaction scores decreased the more people agreed there was a lack of leadership and they had insufficient resources to provide quality care.

Conclusion

Cancer nurses are critical to the delivery of cancer care however, the workforce faces multiple challenges. This study provides an understanding of the Australian cancer nursing workforce characteristics, their roles and activities, and highlights important considerations for retaining nurses in the profession.