bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoding Private or Commercial Vehicle Ownership Decisions for Low-Carbon Mobility Transitions: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Mishra Nirmalendu Bikash , Pani Agnivesh , Mohapatra Smruti Sourava , Sahu Prasanta K.
Published: October 2023

Increase in vehicle ownership (VO) as a result of rapid economic and population growth and its negative environmental effects have gradually become a potential threat to the physical and social environment. A wide range of factors influences the propensity for VO by individuals or firms; however, the existing body of literature lacks a critical review which provides an understanding of their underlying associations and potential implications for policymaking in one holistic frame. To fill this research gap, this study presents a systematic review of factors affecting private and commercial VO using the PRISMA framework (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). The factors influencing private VO decisions are extracted from the reviewed articles; subsequently, the identified factors are topologically divided into seven categories. The findings show that most studies identified the factors contributing to VO as related to socio-economic, demographic, and built environmental characteristics. A lack of research has been identified for attitudinal, technological, and parking-related variables. It is also concluded that there are gaps in the knowledge base on factors contributing to the commercial VO of a business establishment. Designing informed policy measures based on such factors that can induce a sustainable transition in the mobility sector is important to mitigate transportation-related negative externalities on the environment. The overall review findings offer actionable guidance for low-carbon mobility transition and outline a future research agenda for academic researchers and decision makers. The quantifiable factors revealed in this study are expected to assist policy makers in discouraging VO propensity among individuals or firms.
Research on Cooperative Control for On-Ramp Merging with Multiple Lanes in Connected and Automated Environments
Authors: Wang Yangyang , Cao Xiaolang , Ren Gaotian , Zou Yajie , Deng Hangyun
Published: October 2023

This paper addresses the issue of on-ramp merging in multi-lane freeways and proposes a cooperative control method based on connected and automated vehicles. Focusing on a two-main-lane freeway scenario, the method consists of two key models: a merging sequence decision model and a motion planning model. The merging sequence decision model prioritizes collision avoidance by predicting the motion state and lane-changing trajectory of vehicles in the merging area. The motion planning model utilizes longitudinal and lateral cooperation to control the main lane vehicles to generate the merging gap through coordinated adjustments in the longitudinal speed or by performing lane changes. The optimal merging trajectory is determined using the entropy weight method, and a fast optimization method based on neural networks is employed. Through simulations considering different traffic density combinations, the proposed method is compared with traditional control schemes. Results demonstrate its superiority in improving traffic flow stability, rapidity, and overall efficiency.
Book review: Vishwa Anand, Poverty & Rural Violence in Bihar: A Sociological Analysis
Authors: Thakur Manish
Published: October 2023

Vishwa Anand, Poverty & Rural Violence in Bihar: A Sociological Analysis, Delhi: Manak Publications Pvt. Ltd, 2017, 207 pp., ₹495 (Hardback).ISBN: 978-93-7831-449-0.
French Adaptation of the Strengths Use Scale
Authors: Bressoud Nicolas , Shankland Rebecca , Dubreuil Philippe , Forest Jacques , Belleville Karel , Samson Andrea C. , Gay Philippe
Published: October 2023

Background

Positive psychology focuses on enhancing attitudes and behaviors that support well-being, with a key pillar being the use of psychological strengths for optimal functioning. This is linked to positive outcomes such as increased happiness and life satisfaction.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric validity of the French adaptation of the Strengths Use Scale (SUS), a self-report tool measuring how individuals use their strengths in daily life. The original SUS, developed by Govindji and Linley (2007), has not been thoroughly assessed across languages and cultures.

Method

The French SUS’s psychometric properties were examined using data from six independent French-speaking Canadian samples ( N = 1397). After removing cases with missing data, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on a subsample to establish the optimal factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was then performed to assess the factor structure’s goodness-of-fit.

Results

Both EFA and CFA supported a unidimensional structure of the scale. The French SUS demonstrated good internal consistency (α = .94). The one-factor model yielded an RMSEA of .122, indicating some model misspecification. However, allowing residuals of some items to covary improved the model fit (RMSEA = .077).

Conclusion

The adapted French SUS exhibits similar properties to the original and presents no new consistency issues. This study contributes to adapting and validating the SUS in French for research and clinical practice. Future research should focus on developing a shorter version by eliminating redundancies and adapting the scale for children to evaluate positive psychology interventions' efficacy in youth.
Model-based event/self-triggered fixed-time consensus of nonlinear multi-agent systems
Authors: Lv Mingbiao , Gao Jinfeng , Liu Peter X , Zhang Yuqing
Published: October 2023

To address model-based event-triggered fixed-time consensus of nonlinear multi-agent systems with both fixed topology and switching topologies, a novel model-based event-triggered protocol is presented. In the proposed protocol, agents in multi-agent systems update controllers by utilizing estimated state values in the triggered intervals. And for reducing the burdens of bandwidth further, the model-based event-triggered protocol is extended to self-triggered protocol which does not need continuous communication in triggered intervals. It is proven that Zeno behavior is excluded. Our main contributions are giving a novel distributed model-based event-triggered protocol for fixed-time consensus and extending it into a self-triggered protocol. Finally, a couple of simulation examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed protocols.
Judicial Production of Racial Injustice in Taiwo v Olaigbe: Decolonising the Incomplete Story on Race and Contracting
Authors: Zokaityte Asta , Mbioh Will Robinson
Published: October 2023

In Taiwo, one of the most recent landmark cases on racial justice, the Supreme Court rejected race discrimination claims of two domestic migrant workers, ruling that discrimination on the basis of ‘immigration status’ should not be equated to discrimination on the basis of ‘race’. This article presents an argument for decolonising judicial decision-making, using Taiwo as an example to reimagine a much more favourable outcome for victims of racial injustice. This argument is explored through three propositions for decolonial judgment: (a) challenging racial bias in judicial reasoning and legal doctrine; (b) challenging legal frameworks as sites of racial oppression and inequality; and (c) accounting for contextual diversity of experiences of racialisation, avoiding essentialist arguments and categories of racial discrimination. Drawing on these, the article retells the stories in Taiwo to challenge the dominant, traditional race equality paradigm and expose the varied and multi-layered ways in which people are racialised differently across historical and socio-cultural contexts and communities. It also opens the potential for an epistemic shift away from the liberal paradigm of ‘freedom of contract’ and towards the analysis of racial contracting that is co-constituted by multi-layered and context-situated structures of oppression and domination.
Gender Identity: To Infinity and Beyond
Authors: do Vale Fellipe
Published: October 2023

Recent work in systematic and moral theology has sought to recover a sense of the normativity of eschatology, claiming that it is a central task of moral reasoning to stretch itself to imagine our final state of affairs to guide our actions in our current times and places. At the same time, there is a growing theological consensus that gender will not persist into the eschaton. It seems, then, that eschatological normativity cannot be applied to our moral reasoning about gender. This article will attempt to resolve this incompatibility by arguing for the eschatological presence of gender. In favor of those claiming that we need eschatologically-informed ethics, especially with respect to gender, I will show that the arguments provided for gender's eschatological absence face difficulties that they cannot overcome, chief of which is the disjunction between creation and redemption they introduce.
Methacrylate Ester Monomers
Authors: Johnson Wilbur , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Cohen David E. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Peterson Lisa A. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Fiume Monice , Heldreth Bart
Published: October 2023

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed newly available studies since their original assessment in 2005, along with updated information regarding product types and concentrations of use, and confirmed that these 22 methacrylate ester monomers are safe as used in nail enhancement products in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report, when skin contact is avoided.
Projects, revisited: A concept for the anthropology of the good
Authors: Droney Damien
Published: October 2023

In this article, I revisit the concept of project as it has been elaborated in anthropological theory in order to evaluate its relevance for contemporary debates regarding the anthropology of the good. In anthropological theory, projects have been understood as culturally constituted desires and aspirations that endure beyond a given moment to guide social action. I identify additional theorizations of the concept of project by tracing its development through 20th-century existential phenomenology and its incorporation into anthropology. As a result, I clarify two understandings of projects: as a dimension of social action and as an existential structure. I argue for the importance of distinguishing these two dimensions of projects and propose that this more robust theorization of the concept offers analytical tools for considering the politics of the good.
Building a Sustainable Ecosystem for eHealth in Slovenia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies
Authors: Bajrić Samed
Published: October 2023

The pandemic COVID-19 has shown us how important it is for medical teams to have access to all patient data, to be able to implement appropriate guidelines, and to adapt as easily as possible to new challenges. This paper explores the implementation of an open platform within Slovenia’s healthcare backbone and identifies requisite elements for bolstering a national healthcare ecosystem. A gap analysis between the Slovenian open platform and Apperta’s specifications has revealed discrepancies. Through addressing this gap and examining backbone challenges, a preliminary list of success factors has been identified. These insights not only inform the establishment of a resilient national healthcare ecosystem but also contribute to a broader comprehension and execution of digital transformation within healthcare systems.
Saving for retirement: A real-world test of whether seeing photos of one’s future self encourages contributions
Authors: Robalino Juan David , Fishbane Alissa , Goldstein Daniel G. , Hershfield Hal E.
Published: October 2023

One psychological barrier to putting money aside for retirement may be an inability to fully empathize with the economic woes of one’s future self. In tests of ways to lower this barrier, previous studies have had experimental participants interact with visualizations of their future selves. Despite the promise shown by such interventions in small-scale tests in the lab, little is known about their effectiveness in the real world. Our research evaluates the effectiveness of an aging filter (that is, software that creates an image of how a participant might look when older) in a randomized field study involving nearly 50,000 people saving for retirement in Mexico. The intervention, carried out over a month, modestly increased the number of account holders who made one-time contributions (from 1.5% in the control group to 1.7% in the treatment group, representing a 16% increase), as well as the value of those contributions. Although the total amount of money put aside was modest and the number of sign-ups for a recurring contribution savings program did not change significantly, this intervention proved cost-effective: It increased savings at a rate almost 500 times the cost of the intervention. Such psychologically informed interventions can effectively complement other initiatives to encourage people to save for retirement.
Using communication to boost vaccination: Lessons for COVID-19 from evaluations of eight large-scale programs to promote routine vaccinations
Authors: Kappes Heather Barry , Toma Mattie , Balu Rekha , Burnett Russ , Chen Nuole , Johnson Rebecca , Leight Jessica , Omer Saad B. , Safran Elana , Steffel Mary , Trump Kris-Stella , Yokum David , Debroy Pompa
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has added new urgency to the question of how best to motivate people to get needed vaccines. In this article, we present lessons gleaned from government evaluations of eight large randomized controlled trials of interventions that used direct communications to increase the uptake of routine vaccines. These evaluations, conducted by the U.S. General Services Administration’s Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES) before the start of the pandemic, had a median sample size of 55,000. Participating organizations deployed a variety of behaviorally informed direct communications and used administrative data to measure whether people who received the communications got vaccinated or took steps toward vaccination. The results of six of the eight evaluations were not statistically significant, and a meta-analysis suggests that changes in vaccination rates ranged from -0.004 to 0.394 percentage points. The remaining two evaluations yielded increases in vaccination rates that were statistically significant, albeit modest: 0.59 and 0.16 percentage points. Agencies looking for cost-effective ways to use communications to boost vaccine uptake in the field—whether for COVID-19 or for other diseases-may want to evaluate program effectiveness early on so messages and methods may be adjusted as needed, and they should expect effects to be smaller than those seen in academic studies.
“The toxic substance has killed all ducks”: framing of chemical risks related to the 2021 summer flood in German news media
Authors: Völker Carolin , Friedrich Thomas , Kleespies Matthias W. , Marg Oskar , Schiwy Sabrina
Published: October 2023

Background

The public understanding of environmental issues, such as chemical pollution due to flooding, is reflected and shaped by media representations and how these issues are framed. This study aims to identify how local, regional, and national German newspapers pick up and frame the issue of chemical pollution and related environmental and health risks regarding the 2021 summer flood using content analysis.

Results

The analysis shows that chemical pollution is rarely addressed compared to other flood-related topics. We identified 189 newspaper articles published in the months following the flood, which specifically mention chemical emissions. Of these articles, 50 report only marginally on chemical pollution, while 36 focus on the factual description of chemical emissions without addressing the consequences of pollution. The remaining 103 articles address impacts of certain pollutants such as oil, pesticides, heavy metals, or dioxins. Using content analysis, we identified four narratives that were common in their broad storylines and used to create a problem frame: (i) Highlighting severe contamination of the environment with chemical pollutants causing serious environmental damage (31 articles), (ii) describing possible contamination but with uncertainty about the extent and consequences (39 articles), (iii) tending to give the all-clear and emphasizing that there is no severe long-term contamination (25 articles), and (iv) indicating continuous contamination that does not allow the all-clear to be given (8 articles).

Conclusions

The results suggest that flood-related chemical pollution does not receive much media attention. Where it does, coverage focuses primarily on the description of the “tangible parts” of pollution, and thus contamination by oil, depicted by both smell and oil streaks, is frequently addressed Articles indicating severe contamination suggest threats to human and environmental health as likely consequences. However, most articles only report the results of chemical monitoring in the contaminated regions, which are evaluated by experts. This contrasts with other topics of controversy related to the flood, such as climate change as a potential cause. In light of our study, we propose that media and science communication need to pay more attention to chemical pollution—in general and as a result of flood events.
Flagellin, a plant-defense-activating protein identified from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Dieffenbachiae invokes defense response in tobacco
Authors: Mani Tamilarasi , Joshi J. Beslin , Priyadharshini R. , Sharmila Jeya Sundara , Uthandi Sivakumar
Published: October 2023

Background

Secretome analysis is a valuable tool to study host-pathogen protein interactions and to identify new proteins that are important for plant health. Microbial signatures elicit defense responses in plants, and by that, the plant immune system gets triggered prior to pathogen infection. Functional properties of secretory proteins from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae (Xad1) involved in priming plant immunity was evaluated.

Results

In this study, the secretome of Xad1 was analyzed under host plant extract-induced conditions, and mass spectroscopic analysis of differentially expressed protein was identified as plant-defense-activating protein viz., flagellin C (FliC). The flagellin and Flg22 peptides both elicited hypersensitive reaction (HR) in non-host tobacco, activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes, and increased pathogenesis-related (PR) gene expression viz., NPR1, PR1, and down-regulation of PR2 (β-1,3-glucanase). Protein docking studies revealed the Flg22 epitope of Xad1, a 22 amino acid peptide region in FliC that recognizes plant receptor FLS2 to initiate downstream defense signaling.

Conclusion

The flagellin or the Flg22 peptide from Xad1 was efficient in eliciting an HR in tobacco via salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense signaling that subsequently triggers systemic immune response epigenetically. The insights from this study can be used for the development of bio-based products (small PAMPs) for plant immunity and health.
Mycothiol maintains the homeostasis and signalling of nitric oxide in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) M145
Authors: Yoshizumi Tomoki , Shibui Yukiko , Kogo Minori , Honma Sota , Ito Shinsaku , Yajima Shunsuke , Sasaki Yasuyuki
Published: October 2023

Background

Previous studies have revealed a nitric oxide (NO) metabolic cycle in which NO, nitrate (NO3−), and nitrite (NO2−) circulate. The NO produced in this cycle serves as a signalling molecule that regulates actinorhodin (ACT) production via the DevS/DevR NO-dependent two-component system (TCS) in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) M145. However, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of NO signalling in S. coelicolor have not yet been elucidated. Mycothiol (MSH), a thiol molecule produced by Actinomyces, is involved in the defence mechanisms against oxidative stress. Therefore, this study focused on the correlation between intracellular NO and MSH levels.

Results

To investigate the interaction of MSH with endogenously produced NO, we generated an S. coelicolor A3(2) strain deficient in MSH biosynthesis. This mutant strain exhibited a decrease in low-molecular-weight S-nitrosothiols and intracellular NO levels during culture compared to those of the wild-type strain. Moreover, the mutant strain exhibited reduced activity of the DevS/DevR TCS, a regulator of NO homeostasis and ACT production, from the early stage of culture, along with a decrease in ACT production compared to those of the wild-type strain.

Conclusions

This study suggests that MSH maintains intracellular NO homeostasis by forming S-nitrosomycothiol, which induces NO signalling. Finally, we propose a metabolic model in which MSH from endogenously produced NO facilitates the maintenance of both NO homeostasis and signalling in S. coelicolor A3(2) M145.
Omics analyses of Rehmannia glutinosa dedifferentiated and cambial meristematic cells reveal mechanisms of catalpol and indole alkaloid biosynthesis
Authors: Zhou Pengfei , Li Haihua , Lin Yujin , Zhou Yujun , Chen Yinzi , Li Yiheng , Li Xuan , Yan Hui , Lin Weiming , Xu Beilu , Deng Huiting , Qiu Xiaoqi
Published: October 2023

Background

Rehmannia glutinosais a rich source of terpenoids with a high medicinal reputation. The present study compared dedifferentiated cells (DDCs) and cambial meristematic cells (CMCs) cell cultures ofR. glutinosafor terpenoid (catalpol) and indole alkaloid (IA) biosynthesis. In this regard, we used widely targeted metabolomics and transcriptome sequencing approaches together with the comparison of cell morphology, cell death (%), and catalpol production at different time points.

Results

We were able to identify CMCs based on their morphology and hypersensitivity to zeocin. CMCs showed higher dry weight content and better catalpol production compared to DDCs. The metabolome analysis revealed higher concentrations of IA, terpenoids, and catalpol in CMCs compared to DDCs. The transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that a total of 27,201 genes enriched in 139 pathways were differentially expressed. The higher catalpol concentration in CMCs is related to the expression changes in genes involved in acetyl-CoA and geranyl-PP biosynthesis, which are precursors for monoterpenoid biosynthesis. Moreover, the expressions of the four primary genes involved in monoterpenoid biosynthesis (NMD,CYP76A26,UGT6, andCYP76F14), along with a squalene monooxygenase, exhibit a strong association with the distinct catalpol biosynthesis. Contrarily, expression changes inAADC,STR, andRBGgenes were consistent with the IA biosynthesis. Finally, we discussed the phytohormone signaling and transcription factors in relation to observed changes in metabolome.

Conclusions

Overall, our study provides novel data for improving the catalpol and IA biosynthesis inR. glutinosa.
Harnessing the metabolic modulatory and antioxidant power of 1-(3-Phenyl-Propyl) cyclopropane and melatonin in maintaining mango fruit quality and prolongation storage life
Authors: Khedr Emad Hamdy , Khedr Nagwa , Abdel-Haleem Mohamed
Published: October 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to compare and investigate the effects of 1-(3-phenyl-propyl) cyclopropene (PPCP) and melatonin (MT) as anti-ethylene agents on postharvest senescence, quality, chilling tolerance, and antioxidant metabolism in the mango fruit cv. “Keitt”. The study involved exposing the fruit to 20 μL L− 1 PPCP or 200 μM MT, in addition to a control group of untreated fruit, before storing them at 5 ± 1 °C for 28 d. The findings revealed that the treatments with PPCP and MT were effective in reducing chilling injury and preserving fruit quality when compared to the control group.

Results

The use of 20 μL L− 1 PPCP was an effective treatment in terms of mitigating chilling injury and preserving fruit quality for 28 d. This was attributed to the decrease in metabolic activity, specifically the respiration rate and the production of ethylene, which led to the maintenance of fruit firmness and bioactive compounds, energy metabolism, and antioxidant activity, such as ascorbic acid, total flavonoids, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, dehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase activity, ATP, and ATPase activity. The study also found that the MT treatment at 200 μM was effective in reducing chilling injury and weight loss and improving membrane stability. Additionally, it led to a decrease in malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage, and the maintenance of fruit quality in terms of firmness, peel and pulp colour values for mango peel and pulp total carotenoid content, as well as phenylalanine ammonia lyase and tyrosine ammonia lyase activity. These findings indicate that PPCP and MT have the potential to be efficient treatments in maintaining mango quality and minimizing post-harvest losses.

Conclusion

The utilisation of treatments with 20 μL L− 1 of PPCP or 200 μM MT was found to effectively preserve the postharvest quality parameters, in terms of bioactive compounds, energy metabolism, and antioxidant activity, of mangoes cv. “Keitt” that were stored at 5 ± 1 °C for 28 d.
The effect of audiovisual feedback of monitor/defibrillators on percentage of appropriate compression depth and rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Lee Hannah , Kim Jay , Joo Somin , Na Sang-Hoon , Lee Sangmin , Ko Sang-Bae , Lee Jinwoo , Oh Seung-Young , Ha Eun Jin , Ryu Ho Geol
Published: October 2023

Background

High quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the key elements of the survival chain in cardiac arrest. Audiovisual feedback of chest compressions have been suggested to be beneficial by increasing the quality of CPR in the simulated cardiac arrests.

Methods

A prospective before and after study was performed to investigate the effect of a real-time audiovisual feedback system on CPR quality during in-hospital cardiac arrest in intensive care units from November 2018 to February 2022. In the feedback period, CPR was performed with the aid of the real-time audiovisual feedback system. The primary outcome was the percentage of compressions with both adequate depth (5.0–6.0 cm) and rate (100–120/minute).

Results

A total of 27,295 compressions in 30 cardiac arrests in the no-feedback period and 27,965 compressions in 30 arrests in the feedback period were analyzed. The percentage of compressions with both adequate depth and rate was 11.8% in the feedback period and 16.8% in the no-feedback period (P < 0.01). The percentage of compressions with adequate rate in the feedback period was lower than that in the no-feedback period (67.3% vs. 75.5%, P < 0.01). The percentage of beyond-target depth with the feedback was significantly higher than that without feedback (64.2% vs. 51.4%, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Real-time audiovisual feedback system did not increase CPR quality and was associated with a higher percentage of compression depth deeper than the recommended 5.0–6.0 cm. It is essential to explore more effective ways of implementing feedback in real clinical settings to improve of the quality of CPR.

Trial registration

NCT03902873 (study start: Nov. 2018, initial release April 2019, retrospectively registered).
Health-system drivers influencing the continuum of care linkages for low-birth-weight infants at the different care levels in Ghana
Authors: Schuler Christina , Agbozo Faith , Ntow George Edward , Waldboth Veronika
Published: October 2023

Background

Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with short and long-term consequences including neonatal mortality and disability. Effective linkages in the continuum of care (CoC) for newborns at the health facility, community (primary care) and home care levels have a high tendency of minimizing adverse events associated with LBW. But it is unclear how these linkages work and what factors influence the CoC process in Ghana as literature is scarce on the views of health professionals and families of LBW infants regarding the CoC. Therefore, this study elicited the drivers influencing the CoC for LBW infants in Ghana and how linkages in the CoC could be strengthened to optimize quality of care.

Methods

A constructivist grounded theory study design was used. Data was collected between September 2020 to February 2021. A total of 25 interviews were conducted with 11 family members of LBW infants born in a secondary referral hospital in Ghana, 9 healthcare professionals and 7 healthcare managers. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, analyzed using initial and focused coding. Constant comparative techniques, theoretical memos, and diagramming were employed until theoretical saturation was determined.

Results

Emerging from the analysis was a theoretical model describing ten major themes along the care continuum for LBW infants, broadly categorized into health systems and family-systems drivers. In this paper, we focused on the former. Discharge, review, and referral systems were neither well-structured nor properly coordinated. Efficient dissemination and implementation of guidelines and supportive supervision contributed to higher staff motivation while insufficient investments and coordination of care activities limited training opportunities and human resource. A smooth transition between care levels is hampered by procedural, administrative, logistics, infrastructural and socio-economic barriers.

Conclusion

A coordinated care process established on effective communication across different care levels, referral planning, staff supervision, decreased staff shuffling, routine in-service training, staff motivation and institutional commitment are necessary to achieve an effective care continuum for LBW infants and their families.
Impact of stress and stress mindset on prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among first responders
Authors: Hendricks Brian , Quinn Tyler D. , Price Bradley S. , Dotson Timothy , Claydon Elizabeth A. , Miller Rodney
Published: October 2023

Background

Psychological stress is recognized as an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite its potential significance, few to no studies have evaluated the association between stress, stress mindset, and CVD risk factors among rural first responders. The objectives of this study were to identify relationships between general stress, stress mindset, and CVD risk factors.

Methods

The study sample (n = 148) included those 18 years or older and who currently serve as a first responder, defined as either EMS, firefighter, or law enforcement. Questionnaires captured information on demographics, years of work experience as a first responder, multiple first responder occupations, general stress, stress mindset, and self-reported CVD risk factors. Data were analyzed using regression analyses.

Results

Findings suggest that first responders with a stress-is-negative mindset have significantly higher general stress levels (β = 2.20, p = 0.01). Of note, general stress was not a significant predictor of CVD risk factors (AOR = 1.00, 95%CI = 0.93, 1.08) included in our study. However, a negative stress mindset was statistically significant predictor of CVD risk factors (AOR = 2.82, 95%CI = 1.29, 6.41), after adjusting for general stress and other potential confounders.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that stress mindset is an independent predictor of stress and CVD risk factors among rural first responders. These results have the potential to inform educational and organization level interventions targeting stress appraisal for this vulnerable sub population of workers.
Comparison of diagnostic efficiency of detecting IgG and IgE with immunoassay method in diagnosing ABPA: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Anlin , Chen Wushu , Wei Yining , Liang Jinkai , Liao Shuhong , Chen Yijun , Li Yongming , Wang Xidong , Chen Weisi , Qiu Ye , Li Zhengtu , Ye Feng
Published: October 2023

Background

Hitherto, the bulk of diagnostic criteria regards Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin E as a key item, and regard IgG as an auxiliary method in diagnose. Nevertheless, there is no conclusive study in summarize the performance of IgG and IgE diagnosing ABPA.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review to identify studies report results of IgE and IgG detection in diagnosing ABPA. QUADAS-2 tool was used to evaluate included studies, and we applied the HSROC model to calculate the pooled sensitivity and specificity. Deeks’ funnel was derived to evaluated the public bias of included studies, and Cochrane Q test and I2 statistic were used to test the heterogeneity.

Results

Eleven studies were included in this study (1127 subjects and 215 for IgE and IgG). Deeks’s test for IgE and IgG were 0.10 and 0.19. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for IgE were 0.83 (95%CI: 0.77, 0.90) and 0.89 (0.83, 0.94), and for IgG were 0.93 (0.87, 0.97) and 0.73 (0.62,0.82), with P value < 0.001. The PLR and NLR for IgE were 7.80 (5.03,12.10) and 0.19 (0.13,0.27), while for IgG were 3.45 (2.40,4.96) and 0.09 (0.05,0.17). The combined diagnostic odds ratio and diagnostic score were 41.49 (26.74,64.36) and3.73 (3.29,4.16) for IgE, respectively, and were 38.42 (19.23,76.79) and 3.65 (2.96,4.34) for IgG.

Conclusion

The sensitivity for IgG diagnosing ABPA is higher than IgE, while the specificity for IgE is higher. IgG might be able to play a more important role in filtering ABPA patients.
Photobiostimulation conjugated with stem cells or their secretome for temporomandibular joint arthritis in a rat model
Authors: El-Qashty Rana , Elkashty Osama A. , Hany Eman
Published: October 2023

Background

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis is a debilitating, challenging condition and different methods have been implicated for its treatment. This study aimed to test the therapeutic potentials of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) associated with adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) or their derived secretome on a murine model induced arthritis.

Methods

Forty eight rats were divided into four groups where group I was the sham control, the rest of animals were subjected to arthritis induction using complete Freund’s adjuvant, then divided as follows: group II received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) intraarticular injection and irradiation of 0 j/cm2, group III received ADSCs derived secretome and irradiation of 38 j/cm2, and group IV received ADSCs and irradiation of 38 j/cm2 as well. One and three weeks after treatment, animals were euthanized, and paraffin blocks were processed for histological assessment by hematoxylin and eosin stain with histomorphometrical analysis. Histochemical evaluation of joint proteoglycan content was performed through toluidine blue stain, and immunohistochemical staining by the proinflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was performed followed by the relevant statistical tests.

Results

The arthritis group showed histological signs of joint injury including cartilage atrophy, articular disc fibrosis, irregular osteochondral interface, and condylar bone resorption together with high inflammatory reaction and defective proteoglycan content. In contrast, the treated groups III and IV showed much restoration of the joint structure with normal cartilage and disc thickness. The inflammation process was significantly suppressed especially after three weeks as confirmed by the significant reduction in TNF-α positive immunostaining compared to the arthritic group, and the cartilage proteoglycan content also showed significant increase relative to the arthritic group. However, no significant difference between the results of the two treated groups was detected.

Conclusion

LLLT conjugated with ADSCs or ADSCs derived secretome can efficiently enhance the healing of arthritic TMJs. Stem cell secretome can be applied as a safe, potent therapy. However, further investigations are required to unravel its mechanism of action and pave its way as a safe, novel, cell free therapy.

Graphical Abstract
Oral healthcare seeking behavior of Malaysian adults in urban and rural areas: findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019
Authors: Tan Yeung R’ong , Jawahir Suhana , Doss Jennifer Geraldine
Published: October 2023

Background

The development and implementation of appropriate strategies to enhance oral health in the community can be aided by an understanding of oral healthcare seeking behavior among urban and rural populations. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with oral healthcare seeking behavior of the Malaysians in urban and rural locations who self-reported dental problems.

Methods

The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, a cross-sectional nationwide household survey that focused on non-institutionalised Malaysians, provided the data for this study on adults in Malaysia who were 18 years of age and older. A two-stage stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure national representativeness. Data was collected using a multilingual (Malay and English), structured, and validated questionnaire via face-to-face interviews from July to October 2019. The dependent variable was oral healthcare seeking behavior (sought oral healthcare and self-medication). Independent variables were predisposing, enabling and health needs factor based on Andersen’s Behavioral Model. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics and oral healthcare seeking behavior of the respondents. The relationship between the independent and dependent variables were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

The analysis comprised a total of 10,134 respondents, representing about 18.2 million Malaysian adults aged 18 and above. The overall prevalence of Malaysian adults who self-reported dental problems was low (5.5%) and was slightly higher in the rural than urban population. Almost half sought treatment from healthcare practitioners, and almost a quarter self-medicated. Ethnicity was associated with seeking healthcare and self-medication among urban dwellers. Among the rural population, income level was associated with seeking healthcare while education level was associated with self-medication.

Conclusion

Disparities in oral healthcare seeking behaviors exist between Malaysians living in urban and rural areas. Future policies should adopt focused strategies that concentrate on oral healthcare accessibility and health literacy of the vulnerable and rural populations to achieve the best oral healthcare for this population group.
Cardiovascular changes, laboratory findings and pain scores in calves undergoing ultrasonography-guided bilateral rectus sheath block before herniorrhaphy: a prospective randomized clinical trial
Authors: Alterisio Maria Chiara , Micieli Fabiana , Valle Giovanni Della , Chiavaccini Ludovica , Vesce Giancarlo , Ciaramella Paolo , Guccione Jacopo
Published: October 2023

Background

The study aimed to assess the clinical utility of a multiparametric approach to measure the impact of bilateral ultrasound-guided rectus sheath blocks (RSB) on heart rate, serum cortisol concentrations, and pain in calves undergoing herniorraphy. Fourteen calves were randomly assigned to receive either the RSB (RSB group,n = 7, injected with 0.3 mL/kg of bupivacaine 0.25% and 0.15 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine per side) or a sham injection (CG group,n = 7, injected with an equivalent volume of sterile saline solution). Monitoring included (i) continuous Holter recording from 120 min pre-surgery to 120 min post-surgery; (ii) serum cortisol concentration (SC) at -150 min pre-surgery (baseline), induction time, skin incision, end of surgical procedure (EP-t), and then 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 120 min, 360 min after recovery; (iii) UNESP-Botucatu pain evaluation at -150 min pre-surgery and 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 120 min, 240 min, 360 min after recovery.

Results

A significant difference in the heart rate was observed within the RSB group, in the time frame between 120 min to induction compared to the time frame between induction to EP-t period. The SC concentration was significantly higher in the CG at the skin incision. Calves in the RSB group recorded significantly lower pain scores at 45 min, 60 min, 120 and 240 min after recovery.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that monitoring heart rate and serum cortisol concentrations effectively quantified the effects of RSB during surgery. At the same time, the UNESP-Botucatu pain scale identified effects post-surgery when the calves regained consciousness. Overall, ultrasound-guided RSB appeared to enhance the well-being of calves undergoing herniorrhaphy.
The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on glycemic control, adipokines, cytokines, malondialdehyde and liver function enzymes in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis
Authors: Ghodoosi Nasim , Rasaei Niloufar , Goudarzi Kian , Hashemzadeh Maral , Dolatshahi Sina , Omran Hossein Salehi , Amirani Niusha , Ashtary-larky Damoon , Shimi Ghazaleh , Asbaghi Omid
Published: October 2023

Background

The present systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on glycemic control, adipokines, cytokines, malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver function enzymes in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Relevant studies were obtained by searching the PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases (from inception to January 2023). Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were reported using standard methods.

Results

A pooled analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) revealed that CLA supplementation led to a significant increment in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD: 4.49 mg/dL; 95%CI: 2.39 to 6.59; P < 0.001), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD: 2.54 IU/L; 95%CI: 0.06 to 5.01; P = 0.044). Moreover, CLA supplementation decreased leptin (WMD: -1.69 ng/ml; 95% CI: -1.80 to -1.58; P < 0.001), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) (WMD: -0.44 pg/ml; 95%CI: -0.86 to -0.02; P = 0.037). However, there was no effect on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) adiponectin compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Our findings showed the overall favorable effect of CLA supplementation on the adipokines and cytokines including serum IL-6, and leptin, while increasing FBG and AST. It should be noted that the mentioned metabolic effects of CLA consumption were small and may not reach clinical importance.

Prospero registeration cod

CRD42023426374.
Cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol levels are not associated with total testosterone levels in men: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013–2014
Authors: Gomes Gederson K. , de Branco Flávia M. S. , Santos Heitor O. , Pereira Jaqueline L. , Orsatti Fábio L. , de Oliveira Erick P.
Published: October 2023

Background

Testosterone (T) is an anabolic hormone crucial to the structure and function of skeletal muscle. Testosterone is partially synthesized from cholesterol, but little is known about the relationship of cholesterol intake and serum cholesterol with T levels.

Aim

To investigate whether cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels are associated with serum total testosterone (TT) levels in men.

Methods

A cross-sectional study enrolling 1996 men aged 20 to 80 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014 was carried out. Diet assessment was performed using two 24-h food recalls, and TT levels were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether TT was associated with cholesterol intake and serum TC levels.

Results

Neither cholesterol intake nor serum TC levels were associated with TT levels in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (adjustment for energy, total fat and alcohol intake, smoking, age, physical activity, family income, marital status, race, educational level, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index).

Conclusion

Dietary cholesterol intake and TC levels are not associated with TT levels in men from the USA.
Oxidative stress and ROS-mediated cellular events in RSV infection: potential protective roles of antioxidants
Authors: Yang Xue , Liu Xue , Nie Yujun , Zhan Fei , Zhu Bin
Published: October 2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a member of the Pneumoviridae family, can cause severe acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants, young children, immunocompromised individuals and elderly people. RSV is associated with an augmented innate immune response, enhanced secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and necrosis of infected cells. Oxidative stress, which is mainly characterized as an imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant responses, interacts with all the pathophysiologic processes above and is receiving increasing attention in RSV infection. A gradual accumulation of evidence indicates that ROS overproduction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of severe RSV infection and serves as a major factor in pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage. Thus, antioxidants seem to be an effective treatment for severe RSV infection. This article mainly reviews the information on oxidative stress and ROS-mediated cellular events during RSV infection for the first time.
Child health services and armed conflict in Tigray, North Ethiopia: a community-based study
Authors: Tsadik Mache , Gebretnsae Hailay , Ayalew Asefa , Asgedom Akeza Awealom , Gebreyesus Aregawi , Hagos Tigist , Abrha Marta , Weldegerima Kiros , Abrha Birikti , Gebre Gelawdiwos , Hagos Mulubrhan , Esayas Rie , Gebregeorgis Mezgebe , Gesesew Hailay Abrha , Mulugeta Afework
Published: October 2023

Background

Access to basic health services, notably child health services, is severely hampered by the armed conflict in Tigray, North Ethiopia. Little is known regarding the impacts of the armed conflict during the war in Tigray on access to child health services. The current study investigates the impact of the armed conflict on the utilization of child health services in Tigray.

Methods

4,381 caregivers from randomly recruited households (HHs) with at least one child younger than 1 year old participated in a community-based cross-sectional survey. We collected data on childhood immunizations and illness-related treatment seeking from August 4 to 20, 2021. We describe data using frequency and percentage and carry out an internal comparison among the study participants using chi-square tests.

Results

4,381 children under the age of one included in the study. In total, 39% of infants received no basic vaccines, 61.3% of the children under the age of one received at least one vaccine, and 20% received all the vaccinations recommended for their age. About 61% of children were affected by at least one childhood ailments where majority of them were from rural areas. Mothers who did not seek postnatal care (PNC) were responsible for more than 75% of reported childhood illnesses.

Conclusions

A sizable portion of children were unvaccinated and had at least one childhood sickness while the war was in progress. Particularly, people who live in rural areas reported a higher percentage of children’s illnesses but a lower use of child health services. To lower childhood morbidity and mortality in the besieged area, such as Tigray, local to global actors need to get coordinated and warrying parties should stop weaponization of vaccination healthcare services.