bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perception of work in the IT sector among men and women—A comparison between IT students and IT professionals
Authors: Pyrkosz-Pacyna Joanna , Dukala Karolina , Kosakowska-Berezecka Natasza
Published: September 2022

Lack of gender balance within STEM fields is caused by many complex factors, some of which are related to the fact that women do not perceive certain occupations as congruent with their career and personal goals. Although there is a large body of research regarding women in STEM, there is a gap concerning perception of occupations within different STEM industries. IT is a domain where skilled employees are constantly in demand. Even though the overall female representation in STEM fields is rising and that the IT industry is undertaking numerous interventions to attract women to careers in IT, the representation of women in this domain is still disappointingly low. Therefore, the goal of our study was to examine the possible differences among male and female IT and non-IT students and employees in terms of their perception of IT and other key factors influencing the feeling of aptness of IT as a potential sector one's career: goal congruence, sense of belonging and self-efficacy. In this paper we present the results of a study conducted in Poland among working IT professionals (N = 205) and IT students (N = 127) that we compare with individuals from non-IT sectors (N = 222 employees, 107 students). Our results showed significant gender differences between IT students and IT professionals. We found that communal goals are more important for IT employees than for IT students (both male and female) and that a sense of social belonging is stronger among female IT employees than among male IT employees and IT students. Women employed in IT also had the same level of sense of social belonging as women in non-IT group. These findings suggest that after entering IT positions, women's perception of the domain might become potentially more favorable and attuned with their needs. We also found that female IT students value agentic goals more than communal goals which was not the case for female IT employees. The results highlight the importance of investigating women's perception of the IT sector at different levels of career in terms of their goals and other work-related variables. Such lines of research will help develop more effective interventions in attracting women to enter the IT field.
Psychometric properties and factorial invariance of the Farsi version of the Stress Mindset Measure
Authors: Tedadi Yaser , Daryani Yalda , Karsazi Hossein
Published: September 2022

The Stress Mindset Measure consists of eight items to assess whether individuals hold a stress-is-enhancing or a stress-is-debilitating mindset. The current research is a cross-sectional study and aimed to investigate the factor structure, internal consistency reliability, and construct and convergent validity of the Farsi version of the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM). Prior to conducting the study, forward and backward translations of the SMM were performed. Using the convenience sampling method, we recruited 400 none-clinical sample (161 men and 239 women; aged 18 to 69). We utilized SPSS version 24, Amos, and Mplus 7.1 software to analyze the data. Results revealed satisfactory reliability and validity indexes for the Farsi version of the Stress Mindset Measure. The internal consistency of the Farsi version of the Stress Mindset Measure was in the excellent range (α = 0.87). The results of the confirmatory factorial analysis revealed two factors of the Stress Mindset Measure instead of the single factor suggested by the previous studies (fitness indices for the two-factor model were RMSEA = 0.78, CFI = 0.96, and TLI = 0.94). Moreover, we found that the stress-is-debilitating mindset is positively associated with stress (r = 0.233), depression (r = 0.163), and anxiety (r = 0.197). However, this mindset has been found to have no significant relationship with cognitive strategies of emotion regulation and life satisfaction. Also, findings showed no significant correlation between the stress-is-enhancing mindsets and the other variables. The results of this study suggest that the Farsi SMM has proper psychometric properties to assess stress mindsets.
Exploring socioeconomic inequality in educational management information system: An ethnographic study of China rural area students
Authors: Ye Qing
Published: September 2022

There is currently enough systematic literature presents about socioeconomic inequalities across different disciplines. However, this study relates socioeconomic inequality (SEI) to rural students educational management information systems (EMIS) in different schools in China. The dynamic force of information technology could not be constrained in the modern techno-based world. Similarly, the study was qualitative and ethnographic. Data were collected through an interview guide and analyzed with thematic scientific analysis. Ten male and ten female students were interviewed based on data saturation point. The purposive sampling technique was used for the rural school and students’ selection. This study summarizes the findings and brings together in-depth emic and etic findings based on new Marxist conflict theory, exploitation, and domination power lens. The study found that SEI creates disparities among EMIS. Household income inequality has influenced on educational achievements of rural areas’ students. Gender-based SEI was not present among students. Family wealth and SES-based exploitation are present regarding EMIS among male and female students. Household wealth is significant for the EMIS. The study put forward a recommendation to the policymakers that exploitation could be overcome among students if the government provides equal opportunities for access to the EMIS.
Use and perceived usefulness of a just-in-time resonance breathing intervention adjunct for substance use disorder: Contextual and physiological predictors
Authors: Price Julianne L. , Bates Marsha E. , Pawlak Anthony P. , Uhouse Sarah Grace , Todaro Sabrina M. , Morgano Julie , Buckman Jennifer F.
Published: September 2022

Craving for alcohol and other drugs is often described as a momentary hyperarousal state that interferes with one's ability to use top-down strategies. As such, it may be best interrupted ‘in the moment' through bottom-up modulation. We recently reported that episodic resonance paced breathing (eRPB) delivered via mobile phone app as an add-on to outpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) was effective at dampening craving over the course of an 8-week intervention (NCT#02579317). However, not all participants engaged with the eRPB app and there was high intra- and inter-individual variability in weekly ratings of usefulness. Here we examined baseline demographic, physiological, and psychiatric measures as well as time-varying exposure to positive, negative, and temptation craving triggers as predictors of frequency of eRPB app use and ratings of usefulness. Seventy-seven outpatient women were randomized to an eRPB (0.1 Hz) or a faster paced breathing sham (0.23 Hz) condition. Baseline measures were assessed within the first 3 weeks of treatment entry prior to randomization. App use frequency, ratings of usefulness, and trigger exposure were measured weekly throughout the intervention. Variables were entered into marginal means models with forward stepwise model selection and examined as predictors of use and usefulness. Frequent app use was associated with a lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis (p = 0.026), higher ratings of usefulness (p < 0.001), and fewer exposures to positive triggers (e.g., celebration, socialization; p < 0.001). There was a trend-level association between frequency of app use and greater cardiovascular capacity at baseline (p = 0.088). Higher ratings of usefulness were associated with greater exposure to negative triggers (e.g,. loneliness, frustration; p < 0.001) and parasympathetic dysregulation at baseline (p = 0.05). A positive relationship between app use frequency and ratings of usefulness was present only in the eRPB group (p = 0.045). Matching ideal candidates and moments to an arousal modulation anti-craving intervention can help streamline screening and implementation of eRPB in the treatment of SUD.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02579317, identifier NCT02579317.
Study on value-based design of healthcare facilities: Based on review of the literature in the USA and Japan
Authors: Zhou Ying , Sun Yaonan , Xu Yi , Yuan Hao
Published: September 2022

With limited medical resources, it is of great significance for countries all over the world to explore architectural design methods to enhance the value of medical facilities. Therefore, it is very necessary to carry out an extensive international comparison. In order to grasp the research trend of healthcare facilities in the world, this paper conducts co-occurrence analysis, cluster analysis, and trend analysis of the keywords of 334 English articles and 153 Japanese articles related to healthcare facilities published in important academic journals in the USA and Japan in the past 15 years. We not only compare the similarities and differences in healthcare facility research between the USA and Japan, but also explore the reasons for these differences. It is found that by introducing three kinds of value variables, such as time, space, and behavior, we can not only well explain the difference in the solution of healthcare facilities in the USA and Japan to reduce medical costs but also provide new ideas for architectural design to enhance the value of hospitals. Based on the above analysis, a conceptual framework of value-based design of healthcare facilities that combines the advantages of the USA and Japan is proposed in this paper.
Assessing the income-related inequality in obesity among the elderly in China: A decomposition analysis
Authors: Xu Jinpeng , Tian Guomei , Zhang Ting , Zhang Hongyu , Liu Jian , Shi Qi , Sun Jiale , Wang Haixin , Zhang Bokai , Wu Qunhong , Kang Zheng
Published: September 2022

Background

Obesity among the elderly imposes a significant health and economic burden. The purpose of this study was to measure the obesity prevalence and income-related inequality among older adults in China and to explore the determinants of the inequity.

Methods

Data were obtained from 4,541 older adults (60 years and older) participating in the China Family Panel Study, 2018. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m2. Normalized concentration index and concentration curve were calculated to measure the income-related inequality. Decomposition analysis was used to measure the contribution of each factor to the overall unfairness.

Results

The prevalence of obesity among the respondents was 7.99%. The 95% confidence interval for the overall prevalence was 7.20–8.78%. The normalized concentration index of obesity in the elderly was 0.075 (95% confidence interval: 0.047–0.103), indicating that obesity was more concentrated among the rich (p < 0.05). Socioeconomic factors contributed the most to the overall inequality (68.73%). Health behavior factors explained 16.38% of the observed income-related inequality in obesity among the elderly in China.

Conclusions

In 2018, obesity was more concentrated among the elderly with higher incomes in China. The pro-poor income-related inequality was mainly due to the higher socioeconomic status of higher-income older adults. Health behaviors and psychosocial factors could also exacerbate the inequality. To prevent the heavy burden of obesity on the health and finances of older adults, more attention should be paid to those who are financially better off, especially those who smoke and are physically inactive, while extroverted older adults also need to be focused on. For developing countries, concern needs to be given to the obesity of the wealthy elderly as a result of economic development.
Bibliometric analysis of the top-50 cited articles on COVID-19 and physical activity
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhang Ying , Yu Yaqi , Lu Wei , Zhang Huachun
Published: September 2022

Background

Since the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia outbreak in late 2019, an endless stream of research has emerged surrounding physical activity. This study analyzes the 50 most influential articles on COVID-19 and physical activity over the past 2 years to describe the research landscape and hotspots from bibliometric citation analysis.

Methods

The top-50 cited articles were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database, and bibliometric citation analysis was performed by Excel 2019 and VOSviewer software.

Results

The top-50 articles were cited 160.48 ± 106.90 (range: 70–587). Most of the articles were from the United States (14), followed by Italy (11) and England (9). The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (n = 10) is the journal with the top-50 cited articles. The collaboration between authors was mainly among three teams, including Smith L, Musumeci G, and Napoli C. The hotspot of research around COVID-19 and physical activity focused on lifestyle change (sedentary behavior, sitting time), mental health (depressive, anxiety, loneliness), the credibility of physical activity assessment tools (reliability, validity), and physical activity of different populations (gender, youth, children).

Conclusions

Based on a bibliometric analysis of high-impact articles on COVID-19 and physical activity highlights physical activity as an essential lifestyle change and developments and hotspots in this field. These data will provide insights for future researchers regarding the direction of physical activity research in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Long-term effects of left-behind experience on adult depression: Social trust as mediating factor
Authors: Wang Yan , Yang Shuai , Wang Feng , Liu Zhijun
Published: September 2022

Background

Despite much attention paid to the mental health of left-behind children, there has not been sufficient research on whether and how left-behind experiences have long-term effects on adults among the general population. This paper aims to evaluate the long-term effects of left-behind experience on adult psychological depression.

Methods

By using the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey in 2018 (CLDS 2018), we assessed depression by the Center for Epidemiological Studies, Depression Scale (CES-D) and used a cut-off score of 20 for detecting depression (Yes = 1, No = 0). The Binomial logistic regression was used to compare the odds ratio across groups. We used the KHB method in the mediation analysis, to measure the indirect effect of social trust on the relationship between left-behind experience and depression.

Results

The rate of depression (χ2 = 17.94, p < 0.001) for the children who have left-behind experience (LBE) (10.87%) was higher than the children who have non-left-behind experience (N-LBE) (6.37%). The rate of social trust (χ2 = 27.51, p < 0.001) of LBE (65.70%) was lower than N-LBE (75.05%). Compared with the other three groups, left-behind experience occurred in preschool (OR = 2.07, p < 0.001, 95% CI = [1.45, 2.97]) was more likely to suffer from depression. The indirect effect of social trust (OR = 1.06, p < 0.01, 95% CI = [1.02, 1.10]) is significantly on the relationship between LBE and psychological depression, with the total effect (OR = 1.71, p < 0.001, 95% CI = [1.27, 2.31]) and direct effect (OR = 1.62, p < 0.01, 95% CI = [1.20, 2.18]) are both significantly. The proportion of indirect effect in the total effect is 10.69%.

Conclusion

The left-behind experience that occurred in childhood has a significantly negative effect on adult psychological depression, in which preschool left-behind experience played the most critical role. Social trust is the mediating factor associated with left-behind experience and psychological depression. To mitigate the long-term effects of the left-behind experience on psychological depression, parents need to be prudent about the decision-making of migration in the preschool stage of their children. and subsequent policies should strengthen social work targeting vulnerable youth groups especially those with left-behind experience at an early age in terms of their psychological depression.
COVID-19 preventive behavior among university students in Southeast Asia: Effects of knowledge, concern, awareness, and perceived risk
Authors: Al Mamun Abdullah , Hayat Naeem , Dieu Huynh Thi My , Zainol Noor R. , Salameh Anas A.
Published: September 2022

The persistent rise of pandemics across the globe in recent times has led to the prescription of several collaborative preventive strategies to reduce the effect that the pandemic has on public health. Consistent monitoring and surveillance appear to be the only available approach to detecting and classifying the issues of public health threats. Global pandemic threats demand public co-operation to take preventive actions at a personal level so that the risk of infectious diseases can be contained. Said that, this study explored the influence of awareness of precaution measures (APM), concerns about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CAC), knowledge of COVID-19 (KOC), and perceived risk (PRK) on preventive behavior (PRB), as well as the effect of age and gender on the relationships among the studied variables. Quantitative data were collected from 551 university students across Malaysia and Vietnam through field survey and online survey, respectively. The data collection was performed from 13 March to 23 March 2020. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis. The multiple group analysis (MGA) technique was applied to compare the data retrieved from the respondents based on age and gender. The results revealed that APM, CAC, KOC, and PRK on PRB significantly influenced PRB toward COVID-19. In light of the two personal factors, age and gender, significant variances were noted for age and KOC, while PRK on PRB on the PRB toward COVID-19. Based on the study outcomes, APM emerged as the most significant predictor of PRB, followed by PRK on PRB, and CAC. Since a large fraction of the world reside in rural areas and have high-level interaction with animals, the provision of education at all level can harness the attitude to adopt PRB toward COVID-19. As such, policymakers need to work with the young generation so that the latter may serve as change agents to spread the message of taking precautions and adopting effective PRB toward COVID-19.
Research on patients' willingness to conduct online health consultation from the perspective of web trust model
Authors: Xu Yongxun , Yang Zishuo , Jiang Hongyan , Sun Peizhen
Published: September 2022

Background and aims

The online health platform becomes an important choice for users to receive health services. While bringing convenience to users, it also provides lots of overloaded information for users and leads them to have trouble in making online medical choice decisions. In order to understand what types of information on the online health platform play key roles in the user's decision choice, this research explores the effects of cognition-based information, affect-based information and institution-based information on patients' willingness to conduct online health consultation from the perspective of Web Trust Model.

Methods

Responses of 412 valid questionnaires were collected via online surveys.

Results

The results showed that: (1) cognition-based information, affect-based information and institution-based information positively predict patients' willingness to conduct online health consultation; (2) online trust significantly mediates the relationship between online health platform information and willingness to conduct online health consultation; (3) health consciousness significantly moderates the mediating effect of online trust in the effect of online health platform information on patients' willingness to conduct online health consultation.

Conclusions

The findings make theoretical contributions by extending the Web Trust Model to the research field of online health service and offers practical implications for how to effectively provide information on the online health platform.
Vulnerability of South African women workers in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Saloshni Naidoo , Nithiseelan Naidoo Rajen
Published: September 2022

On March 5th, 2020, the first SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) case was diagnosed in South Africa. Shortly after, President Cyril Ramaphosa, declared a National State of Disaster placing the country under “lockdown”. Two years later the National State of Disaster was terminated on 15 March 2022 with more than 3.9 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 100,000 fatalities recorded. In the context of this pandemic the vulnerability of working women in South Africa increased considerably. In South Africa most women workers find themselves in vulnerable employment as domestic help in private households, traders in the informal economy, and small-scale agriculture with no employment contracts or health insurance cover. During the pandemic, women workers had to further deal with the socioeconomic vulnerability of their employment, dual domestic and working responsibilities and those infected with COVID-19, with the clinical sequelae of the disease. The government implemented several policies to assist workers and reduce the risk faced by vulnerable workers, including women. Despite these initiatives, long-term policies aimed at socioeconomic protection and employment creation that focus on women workers are required to address the negative impact of the COVD-19 pandemic as experienced by women workers in South Africa.
The global burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to high body mass index in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study
Authors: Zhang Xuexue , Wang Xujie , Wang Miaoran , Hu Biaoyan , Tang Wei , Wu Yufei , Gu Jiyu , Ni Tian , Li Qiuyan
Published: September 2022

Background

High body mass index (BMI) plays a critical role in the initiation and development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Up to now, far too little attention has been paid to the global burden of T2D attributable to high BMI. This study aims to report the deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of T2D related to high BMI in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

Data on T2D burden attributable to high BMI were retrieved from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019. The global cases, age-standardized rates of mortality (ASMR), and disability-adjusted life years (ASDR) attributable to high BMI were estimated by age, sex, geographical location, and socio-demographic index (SDI). The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to quantify the trends of ASMR and ASDR during the period 1990–2019.

Results

Globally, there were 619,494.8 deaths and 34,422,224.8 DALYs of T2D attributed to high BMI in 2019, more than triple in 1990. Moreover, the pace of increase in ASMR and ASDR accelerated during 1990–2019, with EAPC of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.27 to 1.45) and 2.13 (95% CI: 2.10 to 2.17) separately, especially in men, South Asia, and low-middle SDI regions. Oceania was the high-risk area of standardized T2D deaths and DALYs attributable to high BMI in 2019, among which Fiji was the country with the heaviest burden. In terms of SDI, middle SDI regions had the biggest T2D-related ASMR and ASDR in 2019.

Conclusion

The global deaths and DALYs of T2D attributable to high BMI substantially increased from 1990 to 2019. High BMI as a major public health problem needs to be tackled properly and timely in patients with T2D.
Effects of acupuncture on the pregnancy outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Can , Xia Wanting , Huang Jinzhu , Zhang Xuan , Li Fangyuan , Yu Xiaorun , Ma Jiamin , Zeng Qian
Published: September 2022

Background

Acupuncture is increasingly used as adjuvant therapy for infertile women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET); however, its effects and safety are highly controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the pooled effects of adjuvant acupuncture on FET pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

We considered only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture or no adjuvant treatment during FET and the primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate. Two authors separately selected studies, extracted data, and performed a risk of bias assessment. Pooled data were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). In addition, we conducted subgroup and sensitivity analyses to investigate the sources of heterogeneity, and we also constructed funnel plots to assess the likelihood of publication bias. Finally, Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was applied to evaluate the quality of evidence.

Results

A total of 14 RCTs with a total of 1,130 participants were included in the study. We found significant effects of acupuncture adjuvant to FET on the outcomes of clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.28, 1.85], I2 = 34%; 14 trials), biochemical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.51, 95% CI [1.21, 1.89]; 5 trials), endometrial thickness (MD = 0.97, 95% CI [0.43, 1.51]; 12 trials), and endometrial pattern (RR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.13, 1.75]; 7 trials). For live birth rate (RR = 1.48, 95% CI [0.90, 2.43], 4 trials), there were no statistical effectiveness. For subgroup analyses, most variables had tolerable heterogeneity (I2 = 0%) except for trials that were sham-controlled, performed acupuncture only after FET, or <5 times, which appeared to interpret most of the heterogeneity. Additionally, the quality of evidence of all outcomes in this review ranged from low to moderate.

Conclusion

Acupuncture could be instrumental in the pregnancy outcomes of FET, and has very few risks of severe adverse events; however, the quality of evidence is unsatisfactory. Further research with rigorous methodological quality should be considered, and the protocols of acupuncture also need more investigations (e.g., appropriate control groups, sessions, and times).
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Tyrolean district of Schwaz at the time of the rapid mass vaccination in March 2021 following B.1.351-variant outbreak
Authors: Willeit Peter , Kimpel Janine , Winner Hannes , Harthaller Teresa , Schäfer Helena , Bante David , Falkensammer Barbara , Rössler Annika , Riepler Lydia , Ower Cornelia , Sacher Magdalena , von Laer Dorothee , Borena Wegene
Published: September 2022

In order to curb the rapid dissemination of the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the district of Schwaz and beyond, the EU allocated additional vaccine doses at the beginning of March 2021 to implement a rapid mass vaccination of the population (16+). The aim of our study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among the adult population in the district of Schwaz at the time of the implementation. Data on previous history of infections, symptoms and immunization status were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were used to determine SARS-CoV-2 specific anti-spike, anti-nucleocapsid and neutralizing antibodies. We recruited 2,474 individuals with a median age (IQR) of 42 (31–54) years. Using the official data on distribution of age and sex, we found a standardized prevalence of undocumented infections at 15.0% (95% CI: 13.2–16.7). Taken together with the officially documented infections, we estimated that 24.0% (95% CI: 22.5–25.6) of the adult population had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence, the proportion of undocumented infections identified by our study was 55.8% (95% CI: 52.7–58.5). With a vaccination coverage of 10% among the adults population at that time, we imply that a minimum of two-thirds of the target popuation was susceptible to the circulating threat when this unique campaign started.
Quantifying mechanical and metabolic interdependence between speed and propulsive force during walking
Authors: Pimentel Richard E. , Feldman Jordan N. , Lewek Michael D. , Franz Jason R.
Published: September 2022

Walking speed is a useful surrogate for health status across the population. Walking speed appears to be governed in part by interlimb coordination between propulsive (FP) and braking (FB) forces generated during step-to-step transitions and is simultaneously optimized to minimize metabolic cost. Of those forces, FP generated during push-off has received significantly more attention as a contributor to walking performance. Our goal was to first establish empirical relations between FP and walking speed and then to quantify their effects on metabolic cost in young adults. To specifically address any link between FP and walking speed, we used a self-paced treadmill controller and real-time biofeedback to independently prescribe walking speed or FP across a range of condition intensities. Walking with larger and smaller FP led to instinctively faster and slower walking speeds, respectively, with ~80% of variance in walking speed explained by FP. We also found that comparable changes in either FP or walking speed elicited predictable and relatively uniform changes in metabolic cost, together explaining ~53% of the variance in net metabolic power and ~14% of the variance in cost of transport. These results provide empirical data in support of an interdependent relation between FP and walking speed, building confidence that interventions designed to increase FP will translate to improved walking speed. Repeating this protocol in other populations may identify other relations that could inform the time course of gait decline due to age and disease.
Comparison of flexible ureteroscopy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment for multiple nephrolithiasis
Authors: Lv Guangda , Zhang Zhiwei , Du Fei , Qi Wenqiang , Zhong Minglei , Zhou Yongheng , Zhou Changkuo , Li Yan , Zhang Dongqing
Published: September 2022

Objective

To compare the outcomes of flexible ureteroscopy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment for multiple nephrolithiasis in 1–2 cm size.

Methods

The clinical data of patients with multiple renal calculi in the range of 1–2 CM who underwent flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2016 to March 2021 were retrospectively collected and matched using propensity score matching. Then a subgrouping of the number of stones was performed. Patients were divided into Group A and Group B according to their stone numbers. Patients with no statistically significant differences in baseline data were matched to compare the safety and efficacy of the two procedures.

Results

A total of 210 patients with clinical data were collected, and the patients’ baseline data were not comparable, and 142 patients were finally included in the study after propensity score matching. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups of patients. The postoperative hospital days (3.00, 2.00 vs. 7.00, 3.00, P < 0.001), operation time (90.00, 50.00 vs. 110.00, 53.00, P = 0.018), complications (6, 6.8% vs. 14, 25.9%, P = 0.001) of patients in flexible ureteroscopy group %, P = 0.001) was significantly lower than that in the percutaneous nephrolithotomy group. There was no significant difference in stone clearance rate between the two groups (76, 86.4% vs. 42, 77.8%, P = 0.185). When the number of stones was no more than 3, the operation time (85.00, 49.00 vs. 110.00, 53.00, P = 0.005) and complications (2, 4.2% vs. 11, 29.7%, P = 0.001) of f-URS were significantly less than those of mPCNL, but when the number of stones was more than 3, there was no significant difference between the two operations.

Conclusion

For multiple nephrolithiasis within 1–2 CM, when the number of stones does not exceed 3, flexible ureteroscopy can achieve the same stone clearance rate as percutaneous nephrolithotomy, while having shorter post-operation days, operative time and fewer complications. When the number of stones is more than 3, there are no significant difference between two operations.
No statistically significant difference in long term scarring outcomes of pediatric burns patients treated surgically vs. those treated conservatively
Authors: Mistry Riyam , Issa Fadi
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Paediatric burns are a common clinical presentation. The long-term scar outcomes in paediatric burns patients are relatively unknown as most are discharged after 6 weeks follow up, apart from the small number that are followed up by scar services depending on geographical availability. We aimed to determine whether the long-term scarring outcomes are significantly different in those who had surgical treatment with Versajet® debridement and Biobrane®, vs. those treated conservatively with non-adherent Mepitel® and Acticoat® dressings, in a cohort of paediatric burns patients.

Methods

The parents of all paediatric burns patients admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital from October 2014 to September 2017 were contacted by telephone to fill in the paediatric Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile (BBSIP), the only patient reported outcome measure (PROM) specifically aimed at children. The results from the questionnaires underwent statistical analysis to see if there was a significant difference in questionnaire scores between children treated surgically vs. those treated conservatively.

Results

A total of 107 children were admitted in the timeframe, responses were received from 34 patients with 13 having been treated surgically and 21 having been treated conservatively. In all 58 questions that make up the BBSIP, there was no statistically significant difference observed in the scores of those treated surgically vs. those treated conservatively. For 31 questions on the BBSIP, the lowest score indicating the best outcome was observed in all patients in both groups.

Discussion

Surgical management for burns is always the last resort. Our results could be interpreted to suggest clinicians need not fear the longer-term impact a scar may have when deciding whether to treat a paediatric burns patient surgically or conservatively. This study is the first to assess longer-term scar outcomes using the BBSIP. A larger data set and comparison with other burn units in the UK may help to provide more information on scar outcomes between different methods of surgical and conservative treatment. We found no statistically significant difference in the long-term scar outcomes as assessed by the BBSIP in paediatric burn patients treated with Versajet® debridement and Biobrane®, vs. those treated conservatively with non-adherent Mepitel® and Acticoat® dressings.
Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of immune-related eRNAs associated with prognosis and immune microenvironment in melanoma
Authors: Gan Yuling , Yang Yuan , Wu Yajiao , Li Tingdong , Liu Libing , Liang Fudong , Qi Jianghua , Liang Peng , Pan Dongsheng
Published: September 2022

Background

Recent evidence suggests that enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) play key roles in cancers. Identification of immune-related eRNAs (ireRNAs) in melanoma can provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying its genesis and progression, along with potential therapeutic targets.

Aim

To establish an ireRNA-related prognostic signature for melanoma and identify potential drug candidates.

Methods

The ireRNAs associated with the overall survival (OS-ireRNAs) of melanoma patients were screened using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) via WGCNA and univariate Cox analysis. A prognostic signature based on these OS-ireRNAs was then constructed by performing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis. The immune landscape associated with the prognostic model was evaluated by the ESTIMATE algorithm and CIBERSORT method. Finally, the potential drug candidates for melanoma were screened through the cMap database.

Results

A total of 24 OS-ireRNAs were obtained, of which 7 ireRNAs were used to construct a prognostic signature. The ireRNAs-related signature performed well in predicting the overall survival (OS) of melanoma patients. The risk score of the established signature was further verified as an independent risk factor, and was associated with the unique tumor microenvironment in melanoma. We also identified several potential anti-cancer drugs for melanoma, of which corticosterone ranked first.

Conclusions

The ireRNA-related signature is an effective prognostic predictor and provides reliable information to better understand the mechanism of ireRNAs in the progression of melanoma.
Clinical analysis of subxiphoid vs. lateral approaches for treating early anterior mediastinal thymoma
Authors: Li Bin , Niu Lijuan , Gu Chenqi , He Kaiwen , Wu Ruizhi , Pan Zhenfeng , Chen Shaomu
Published: September 2022

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy of the subxiphoid approach for early anterior mediastinal thymoma and evaluate its advantages over the lateral intercostal approach.

Methods

A total of 345 patients with early anterior mediastinal thymoma were retrospectively analyzed from January 2016 to December 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Out of these, 99 patients underwent subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy and 246 patients underwent transthoracic video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. We compared the intraoperative conditions (such as operation time and intraoperative blood loss), postoperative conditions [such as postoperative pleural drainage volume, extubation time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score], and postoperative complications (such as death, pneumonia, delayed wound healing, cardiac arrhythmia, and phrenic nerve injury) of the two groups and analyzed the clinical advantages of the subxiphoid approach for treating early anterior mediastinal thymoma.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of general clinical features, operation time, and postoperative complications (P > 0.05).However, there was a significant difference in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pleural drainage volume, tube extubation time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative VAS pain score, and postoperative analgesics (a significantly decreased flurbiprofen axetil amount) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with the lateral intercostal thoracic approach, the subxiphoid approach had advantages in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, tube extubation time, postoperative pleural drainage volume, postoperative VAS pain score, and analgesics dosage. It could provide a better view of the bilateral pleural cavities and more thorough thymectomy and superior cosmesis, and it proved to be a safe and feasible minimally invasive surgical method.
Case Report: Improved surgical treatment for breast capsular contracture by the punctiform-incision approach through the nipple
Authors: Zheng Yan , Hu Yan-Yan , Zhao Wan-Yi , Wang Xiao-Feng , Fang Qing-Qing , Lv Xiong , Xiang Chun , Yao Jian-Min , Tan Wei-Qiang
Published: September 2022

Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications of breast implants, which often leads to secondary surgery. Patients with unconspicuous breast contracture do not need treatment, while for those with severe symptoms, a capsule revision surgery is of great necessity, including a total periprosthetic capsulectomy and replacement with a new implant. However, if the capsular contracture happens in the submuscular space, it will be very difficult to release it completely, and it may lead to more complications such as damage to surrounding tissue. The new method of pouch can create a new subpectoral plane for the insertion of a new implant instead of a total capsulectomy, but this method is unsuitable for patients who have little breast tissue or thin skin. To solve this thorny clinical problem, we invented a double-headed separating instrument and came up with a novel operation method to release the capsular contracture, which opened from the nipple by the punctiform-incision approach and caused only a mild and undetectable trauma. This operation went off without a hitch, and the postoperative breast shape was good, and the breast felt and moved naturally. In addition, there were no significant complications throughout the one-year follow-up period. This case was an excellent demonstration of the novel breast capsular contracture release surgery using our optimized double-headed capsule contracture separator.
Explicit Calculation of Structural Commutation Relations for Stochastic and Dynamical Graph Grammar Rule Operators in Biological Morphodynamics
Authors: Mjolsness Eric
Published: September 2022

Many emergent, non-fundamental models of complex systems can be described naturally by the temporal evolution of spatial structures with some nontrivial discretized topology, such as a graph with suitable parameter vectors labeling its vertices. For example, the cytoskeleton of a single cell, such as the cortical microtubule network in a plant cell or the actin filaments in a synapse, comprises many interconnected polymers whose topology is naturally graph-like and dynamic. The same can be said for cells connected dynamically in a developing tissue. There is a mathematical framework suitable for expressing such emergent dynamics, “stochastic parameterized graph grammars,” composed of a collection of the graph- and parameter-altering rules, each of which has a time-evolution operator that suitably moves probability. These rule-level operators form an operator algebra, much like particle creation/annihilation operators or Lie group generators. Here, we present an explicit and constructive calculation, in terms of elementary basis operators and standard component notation, of what turns out to be a general combinatorial expression for the operator algebra that reduces products and, therefore, commutators of graph grammar rule operators to equivalent integer-weighted sums of such operators. We show how these results extend to “dynamical graph grammars,” which include rules that bear local differential equation dynamics for some continuous-valued parameters. Commutators of such time-evolution operators have analytic uses, including deriving efficient simulation algorithms and approximations and estimating their errors. The resulting formalism is complementary to spatial models in the form of partial differential equations or stochastic reaction-diffusion processes. We discuss the potential application of this framework to the remodeling dynamics of the microtubule cytoskeleton in cortical microtubule networks relevant to plant development and of the actin cytoskeleton in, for example, a growing or shrinking synaptic spine head. Both cytoskeletal systems underlie biological morphodynamics.
Use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) to meet regulatory requirements for the assessment of tobacco and other nicotine-containing products
Authors: Miller-Holt Jacqueline , Behrsing Holger P. , Clippinger Amy J. , Hirn Carole , Stedeford Todd J. , Stucki Andreas O.
Published: September 2022

Regulatory frameworks on tobacco and other nicotine-containing products (TNCP) continue to evolve as novel products emerge, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes or vaping products), heated tobacco products, or certain smokeless products (e.g., nicotine pouches). This article focuses on selected regulations for TNCPs that do not make health claims, and on the opportunities to use new approach methodologies (NAMs) to meet regulatory requirements for toxicological information. The manuscript presents a brief overview of regulations and examples of feedback from regulatory agencies whilst highlighting NAMs that have been successfully applied, or could be used, in a regulatory setting, either as stand-alone methods or as part of a weight-of-evidence approach to address selected endpoints. The authors highlight the need for agencies and stakeholders to collaborate and communicate on the development and application of NAMs to address specific regulatory toxicological endpoints. Collaboration across sectors and geographies will facilitate harmonized use of robust testing approaches to evaluate TNCPs without animal testing.
Ethnoveterinary use of plants and its implication for sustainable livestock management in Nepal
Authors: Uprety Yadav , Karki Sangram , Poudel Ram C. , Kunwar Ripu M.
Published: September 2022

Traditional herbal remedies are used worldwide for treating both human and livestock health issues. Though such uses are relatively well-explored for humans, the ethnoveterinary uses of plant-based remedies in the healthcare choices of livestock in Nepal and associated knowledge are largely ignored. This is important as sustainable livestock production is an emerging issue. This study reviews the existing ethnobotanical studies conducted in Nepal and reports the use of 393 species of plants from 114 botanical families in ethnoveterinary practices. Thirty-four different ailments were treated using these plants. The present review revealed that Nepal has a rich diversity of ethnoveterinary plants. This study shows that traditional herbal medicine plays a significant role in meeting the livestock healthcare needs of Nepali farmers and hence is a viable practice. The study also contributes a wealth of knowledge about ethnoveterinary practices for further planning and use. This will provide an option for livestock farmers who cannot afford allopathic medicine or who are not allowed to use such medicine under organic farming schemes that are likely to be a part of sustainable livestock farming programs in Nepal soon.
Anti-Trichomonas gallinae activity of essential oils and main compounds from Lamiaceae and Asteraceae plants
Authors: Bailén María , Díaz-Castellanos Irene , Azami-Conesa Iris , Alonso Fernández Sara , Martínez-Díaz Rafael A. , Navarro-Rocha Juliana , Gómez-Muñoz María Teresa , González-Coloma Azucena
Published: September 2022

Trichomonas gallinae is a flagellated protozoan that parasitizes the upper digestive tract of various bird species and causes avian trichomonosis. The emergence of resistant strains to the standard treatment, based on nitroimidazoles, increases the need to find alternative therapies. In this study, 36 essential oils (EOs) from Lamiaceae and Asteraceae plant families were tested against T. gallinae trophozoites using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-)-2,5-dipheniltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Among them, EOs from distinct species of Lamiaceae, including the genera Lavandula, Salvia, Thymus, Origanum, and Satureja were the ones reporting better anti-trichomonal activity, and were selected for further analysis, including chemical composition and in vitro assays. The chemical composition of the selected EOs was determined by gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry and 19 pure compounds were tested against the protozoa, according to their higher abundance in the active EOs. Pure compounds which displayed the highest activity against T. gallinae trophozoites, ordered by highest to lowest activity, were α and β-thujones, camphene, β-pinene, linalyl acetate, thymol, 4-terpineol, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, p-cymene, D-fenchone and β-caryophyllene. A dose dependent effect was observed in most of the EOs and pure compounds tested. The toxicity test conducted in eukaryotic cell cultures with the anti-trichomonal active pure compounds showed that β-caryophyllene, camphene, α-pinene, and β-pinene were slightly toxic for Vero cells, and the selectivity index was calculated. Based on the anti-trichomonal activity and the absence of cytotoxicity results, natural products from Lamiaceae plants could be useful as alternative therapy against avian trichomonosis, mainly those containing linalyl acetate, thymol, 4-terpinenol, γ-terpinene, p-cymene and D-fenchone.