bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Thoracic Trauma in Intensive Care Unit in Togo: A Particular Reference to Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital of Lome
Authors: Mouzou Essohanam Tabana , ASSENOUWE SARAKAWABALO , Lamboni Damessane , Bignandi Kondo , Moumouni Abd El Kader , Ef Pwèmdéou , Kai-Samba Ib , Sama Hamza Doles , Tchetike Pikabalo , Egbohou Pilakimwé , Poko Magnoudewa , Akondo Maliki , Mawa-eya Akala Yoba Gnimdo , Songne Gnankoulaba
Published: February 2022

Background: The Management of thoracic trauma (TT) requires important resources, especially for intensive cares. In developing countries, intensive care units (ICUs) are often the first facilities providing life-saving care to severe trauma patients. This study aimed to analyze the management of TT in a Togolese ICU.Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study was carried out in the ICU of the SylvanusOlympio University Hospital (SO UH) of Lomé, over a six-year period. The records of TT inpatients were analyzed from registers. Statistical tests were performed using Epi-info 7.2.4 software. Results: Of the inpatients for resuscitation, one hundred and ninety-five patients (195) were admitted with TT (5.1% of ICU admission), with 187 selected for the research. Their mean age was 38.1 ± 13 years and sex-ratio = 6.8. Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) were the most frequent causes (87.2%). Patients had respiratory distress (62.6%), hemorrhagic shock (4.8%) and severe coma (24.6%). It was polytrauma in 92.5% of the cases with 75.9% of cranio-encephalic injuries. Fifty patients underwent surgery. Resuscitation included oxygen therapy (65.8%), mechanical ventilation (15%), decompression needle thoracostomy (11.2%), chest drainage (10.7%), analgesia, sedation (54%), vascular filling (21.9%), administration of vasopressors (14.4%) and blood transfusion (49.7%). The mean length for ICU stay was 12.7 ± 6 days. At least one complication occurred in 55.8% of patients: sepsis in 43.3%, bronchopulmonary infection in 32.1%, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 25.7%, hemorrhagic shock in 16.6% and septic shock in 15%.Eighty-four patients (44.9%) died of septic shock (30.9%), hemorrhagic shock (14.3%), brain injuries (36.9%), and ARDS (9.5%). The management faced shortcomings such as inadequate aseptic conditions, unavailability of arterial blood gas test, insufficiency of surveillance monitors and ventilators. Conclusion: TTs were common in ICU. Most of the patients presented associated injuries. ICU management was successful in most cases, but faced challenges. It is necessary to improve equipment and management protocols.
Molecular epidemiological study of porcine epidemic diarrhea from winter 2020 to spring 2021 in Jiangsu Province
Authors: ZHU tingfan , Qian Jinhan , Shen Zijun , Shao Hongxia , Qian Kun , Jin Wenjie , Qin Aijian , Wang Jian , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Wencheng
Published: February 2022

Background: Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is an acute and highly contagious infectious disease caused by the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) that occurs most frequently from winter to spring. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among piglets, and causes huge losses in the pig industry. The aim of this molecular epidemiological study was to identify the current strains of PEDV that are prevalent in Jiangsu Province, China.Methods: From winter 2020 to spring 2021, 793 small intestine tissue, fecal, and anal swab samples were collected from 72 pig farms in 11 counties in the jurisdiction of 5 regions of Jiangsu Province (Yancheng, Suqian, Changzhou, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou). A highly variable region of the S gene was amplified and sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was conducted to compare this sequence with corresponding sequences from reference strains deposited in GenBank. Results: A total of 457 samples from 57 pig farms were positive for PEDV: this implies a positivity rate of 79% (57/72) for pig farms and a sample positivity rate of 57.6% (457/793). The positivity rates were 78% (107/137) in Yancheng, 53% (218/409) in Suqian, 48% (94/195) in Changzhou, 80% (16/20) in Xuzhou, and 88% (14/16) in Yangzhou. Seven representative samples were selected for sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the seven isolated strains exhibited 88.0%–100% nucleotide identity and 87.3%–99% amino acid identity. Additionally, our isolates exhibited 88.3%–99.7% nucleotide identity and 88%–98.5% amino acid identity with the reference PEDV strains. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that there were considerable difference in the sources of the variants.Conclusions: PEDV had a high infection rate among pigs and is possibly the main pathogenic agent of pig diarrhea in Jiangsu province. Importantly, vaccines must be screened for their efficacy against the newly identified variants.
Ultrasound-Assisted Removal Of Foreign Bodies In Oral And Maxillofacial Soft Tissues During Emergency Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Luo Dan , Zhou Jinbo , Tang Wei , Zeng Wei
Published: February 2022

Without accurate location and guidance, the removal of foreign bodies in the oral and maxillofacial tissues is difficult. Meanwhile, real-time assessment of whether all foreign bodies are removed during surgery is the key to a successful operation. Because of the long preparation time and the lack of real-time data, the present technologies such as navigation, guide template technology could not meet the requirements of emergency surgery and assess foreign body removal in real-time. In this report, a case of ultrasound technology assisting in the removal of foreign bodies in the oral and maxillofacial soft tissues during emergency surgery is presented. In conclusion, ultrasound technology can assist in the removal of foreign bodies in the oral and maxillofacial soft tissues, especially suitable for emergency surgery. It can realize accurate preoperative diagnosis and measurement, precise intraoperative localization, real-time guidance, measurement, and evaluation of foreign bodies.
Comparison of mortality and clinical failure rates between vancomycin and teicoplanin in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia
Authors: Lee Jang Ho , Choi Myeong Geun , Park Hyung Jun , Kim Ho Cheol , Choi Chang-Min
Published: February 2022

Background: Very few studies have compared the effects and side effects of vancomycin and teicoplanin in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of vancomycin and teicoplanin in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.Methods: This study examined 116 patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia who met the inclusion criteria and were treated with either vancomycin (n = 54) or teicoplanin (n = 62). The primary (i.e., clinical failure during treatment) and secondary outcomes (i.e., mortality rates, discontinuation of study drugs due to treatment failure, side effects, and clinical cure) were evaluated.Results: The vancomycin group presented lower clinical failure rates (25.9% vs. 61.3%, p < 0.001), discontinuation due to treatment failure (22.2% vs. 41.9%, p = 0.024), and mortality rates (3.7% vs 19.4%, p = 0.010). The Cox proportional hazard model revealed that teicoplanin was a significant clinical failure predictor compared with vancomycin (adjusted odds ratio, 2.395; 95% confidence interval, 1.220-4.703; p = 0.011). The rates of drug change due to side effects were higher in the vancomycin group than in the teicoplanin group (24.1% vs. 1.6%, p <0.001).Conclusions: Vancomycin presented favorable treatment outcomes and more side effects compared with teicoplanin, which suggests that clinicians would need to consider the efficacy and potential side effects of these drugs before prescription.
Zwischen Unsicherheit und Stabilisierung
Authors: Sieger Marvin
Published: February 2022

Im Rahmen des vom BMBF geförderten Projekts be_smart werden die Teilhabepotenziale für Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene mit Behinderungserfahrungen im Rahmen von Musiziersituationen mit digitalen Geräten und Musik-Apps ausgelotet. Da es sich um komplexe sozio-technische und sozio-materiale Settings handelt, kann es innerhalb dieser Musiziersituationen vermehrt zu «Störungen» oder auch «Krisen» kommen. Um eine möglichst differenzierte Analyseoptik zu etablieren, wird innerhalb des Beitrags zunächst begrifflich in die Trias «Artefakt», «Störung» und «Krise» eingeführt. Für den Forschungszugang gilt aber, dass diese Analyseoptik nicht einfach dem Datenmaterial vorangestellt wird, sondern sie anhand der ständigen Auseinandersetzung mit dem empirischen Datenmaterial entsteht. Im Kontext dieser Trias wird deshalb des Weiteren ein Analyseraster für audio-visuelle Daten vorgestellt, das dabei helfen soll, die besagten Phänomene empirisch zu grundieren. Dabei soll «Komplexe» bzw. «Schwere Behinderung» vornehmlich als dis/ability analysiert werden, also als interaktionaler Prozess, in dem abilities und disabilities dynamisch fluktuieren.
Anomalies in the Constitutional and Legal Space of Modern Russia
Authors: Anichkin Eugene
Published: February 2022

The article examines constitutional and legal anomalies that prevent effective legal regulation of social relations and sustainable legal development in modern Russia. The research featured such types of anomalies as the dualism of nominal constitutional law and reality, interpretive and law enforcement deviations from the formal constitutional legal norm, normative contradictions, gaps, and other formal legal defects of certain sources and norms of constitutional law. The study was based on historical, comparative, systemic-structural, and formal-legal methods of studying the constitutional and legal doctrine, as well as the current legislation and law enforcement practice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. Constitutional and legal anomalies appeared to be a complex and controversial issue of great practical relevance that requires further research. Constitutional and legal anomalies proved to have a close connection with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, a special sphere of action, and specific content. They produce a negative effect on the entire legal system of Russia. New measures will prevent and eliminate anomalies, thus ensuring sustainable legal development.
Problem Method in Developing Professional Competence in Future Bachelors of Technosphere Safety
Authors: Karpov Vladislav
Published: February 2022

Technosphere safety is a complex issue that depends directly on the level of professional competence of the people involved. The present research featured the problem-based method of teaching technogenic safety to Bachelor's Degree students. It involved a detailed analysis of the professionally-oriented training of technosphere safety bachelors. The analysis revealed some reasons behind the low efficiency of the current approach. The problem method is a promising resource for improving learning efficiency. The article introduces the content and application conditions of the problem method. The new approach was tested as part of lectures on Reliability of Technical Systems and Technogenic Risk. The problem method proved effective and improved the motivation of the future bachelors of technosphere safety.
A2A Adenosine Receptor Antagonists and their Potential in Neurological
Disorders
Authors: Lambertucci Catia , Marucci Gabriella , Catarzi Daniela , Colotta Vittoria , Francucci Beatrice , Spinaci Andrea , Varano Flavia , Volpini Rosaria
Published: February 2022

Endogenous nucleoside adenosine modulates a number of physiological effects
through interaction with P1 purinergic receptors. All of them are G protein-coupled
receptors, and, to date, four subtypes have been characterized and named A1, A2A, A2B,
and A3. In recent years, adenosine receptors, particularly the A2A subtype, have become attractive
targets for the treatment of several neurodegenerative disorders, known to involve
neuroinflammation, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, multiple sclerosis,
and neuropsychiatric conditions. In fact, it has been demonstrated that inhibition of A2A
adenosine receptors exerts neuroprotective effects counteracting neuroinflammatory processes
and astroglial and microglial activation. The A2A adenosine receptor antagonist istradefylline,
developed by Kyowa Hakko Kirin Inc., was approved in Japan as adjunctive
therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, and very recently, it was also approved
by the US Food and Drug Administration. These findings pave the way for new therapeutic
opportunities, so, in this review, a summary of the most relevant and promising A2A
adenosine receptor antagonists will be presented along with their preclinical and clinical
studies in neuroinflammation related diseases.
Current Advances in Diazoles-based Chemosensors for CN- and FDetection
Authors: Portilla Jaime , Sarmiento Jeymy T.
Published: February 2022

Advances in molecular probes have recently intensified because they are valuable tools in studying species of interest for human health, the environment, and industry. Among these species, cyanide (CN-) and fluoride (F-) stand out as hazardous and toxic ions in trace amounts. Thus, there is a significant interest in probes design for their detection with diverse dia-zoles (pyrazole and imidazole) used for this purpose. These diazole derivatives are known as functional molecules because of their known synthetic versatility and applicability, as they ex-hibit essential photophysical properties with helpful recognition centers. This review provides an overview of the recent progress (2017-2021) in diazole-based sensors for CN- and F- detection, using the azolic ring as a signaling or recognition unit. The discussion focuses on the mechanism of the action described for recognizing the anion, the structure of the probes with the best syn-thetic simplicity, detection limits (LODs), application, and selectivity. In this context, the analy-sis involves probes for cyanide sensing first, then probes for fluoride sensing, and ultimately, du-al probes that allow both species recognition.
Bone Metabolism Alterations in Systemic Sclerosis: An Insight into Bone Disease in SSc: From the Radiographic Findings to their Potential Pathogenesis and Outcome
Authors: Sciacca Stefania , Corrado Addolorata , Rotondo Cinzia , Cantatore Francesco Paolo
Published: February 2022

Previous research has shown conflicting reports about the effect of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on bone metabolism, especially considering bone mineral density (BMD), bone microarchi-tecture, and risk of fracture. The objective of this review is to analyze data from previous articles to investigate the differences in BMD and fracture risk between SSc and non-SSc populations and to discuss potential underlying mechanisms. The main factors investigated have been BMD (mean and standard deviation), t-scores and z-scores at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), bone remodeling markers, fracture prevalence, and incidence, trabecular bone score (TBS), musculoskeletal involvement with particular correlation to SSc skin subtype and extent, disease duration, serological pattern, and vitamin D levels. Since mi-crovascular alterations evaluated through nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) of SSc patients have recently been correlated with decreased BMD and bone microarchitecture, the vascular impairment in SSc has been proposed as a remarkable contributing element in bone remodeling, and the role of hypoxia has been investigated.
P68 RNA Helicase (DDX5) Required for the Formation of Various Specific and Mature miRNA Active RISC Complexes
Authors: Kokolo Mariette , Bach-Elias Montse
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

DEAD-box RNA helicases catalyze the ATP-dependent unwinding of double-stranded RNA. In addition, they are required for protein displacement and remodelling of RNA or RNA/protein complexes. P68 RNA helicase regulates the alternative splicing of the important proto-oncogene H-Ras, and numerous studies have shown that p68 RNA helicase is probably involved in miRNA biogenesis, mainly through Drosha and RISC/DICER complexes.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine how p68 RNA helicase affects the activity of selected mature miRNAs, including miR-342, miR-330, miR-138 and miR-206, miR-126, and miR-335, and let-7a, which are known to be related to cancer processes.

Methods:

The miRNA levels were analyzed in stable HeLa cells containing p68 RNA helicase RNAi induced by doxycycline (DOX). Relevant results were repeated using transient transfection with pSu-per/pSuper-p68 RNA helicase RNAi to avoid DOX interference.

Results:

Herein, we reported that p68 RNA helicase downregulation increases the accumulation of the mature miRNAs, such as miR-126, let-7a, miR-206, and miR-138. Interestingly, the accumulation of these mature miRNAs does not downregulate their known protein targets, thus suggesting that p68 RNA helicase is required for mature miRNA-active RISC complex activity.

conclusion:

Furthermore, we demonstrated that this requirement is conserved, as drosophila p68 RNA helicase can complete the p68 RNA helicase depleted activity in human cells. Dicer and Drosha proteins are not affected by the downregulation of p68 RNA helicase despite the fact that Dicer is also localized in the nucleus when p68 RNA helicase activity is reduced.
The Effectiveness of Stone Column Spacing in Reducing the Potential of Liquefaction
Authors: Arif Maulana , Adriyati Meilani
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTLiquefaction is a liquefied soil phenomenon caused by cyclic load or earthquake. One of the soil liquefaction prevention methods is the installation of stone column. The stone column is a column filled with compacted rock fragments. It has 50 cm in diameter and 5 m deep This method is believed to reduce the excess pore water pressure that occurs during an earthquake. The stone column has been applied in many construction projects which located in high potential of liquefaction area. This research aims to know the effectiveness of stone column in reducing the liquefaction potential. This research conducted by using borelog data and soil laboratory test. This research also runs the numerical simulation of soil liquefaction with stone column stabilization. The variations in column spacing (2 m; 1.5 m; and 1 m) and subsurface review point (1 m; 1.5 m; 2 m; and 2.5 m) will be applied by using Quake/W from Geostudio 2012 software. The results show that the liquefaction potential can be reduced with the closer stone column spacing up to 1.5 m. Reduction of pore water pressure and liquefaction potential only occurs in the initial period of the earthquake before reaching the peak of earthquake acceleration.ABSTRAKLikuefaksi merupakan fenomena pencairan tanah akibat adanya beban siklik atau gempa. Salah satu metode penanganan likuefaksi yaitu dengan melakukan instalasi stone column. Stone column merupakan suatu kolom yang diisi oleh fragmen batuan yang dipadatkan. Umumya kolom berukuran diameter 50 cm dan kedalaman hingga 5 m. Metode ini dipercaya dapat mengurangi tekanan air pori yang terjadi pada tanah saat gempa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektifitas stone collumn dalam mengurangi potensi likuefaksi. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan data bor dan uji laboratorium. Simulasi numeris juga dilakukan berupa permodelan tanah dengan stabilisasi stone column. Variasi pada jarak stone solumn (2m; 1,5m; dan 1m) dan titik tinjau (1m; 1,5m; 2m; dan 2,5m) dilakukan dengan menggunakan perangkat lunak Quake/w dari Geostudio 2012. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa potensi likuefaksi dapat berkurang dengan jarak stone column yang semakin dekat hingga 1,5 m. Pengurangan tekanan air pori dan potensi likuefaksi hanya terjadi pada periode awal gempa sebelum mencapai puncak percepatan gempa.
Оценки пироэлектрических коэффициентов нитридов алюминия и галлия
Authors: Давыдов С.Ю.
Published: February 2022

Analytical expression for pyroelectric coefficient for the compounds with wurtzit structure is given. Obtained values of for AlN and GaN are in satisfactory agreement with the first-principles calculations. Pyroelectric effect in the uniform epitaxial films and heterostructures is discussed.
Структура и свойства композитов на основе нитридов алюминия и галлия, выращенных на кремнии разной ориентации с буферным слоем карбида кремния
Authors: Шарофидинов Ш.Ш. , Кукушкин С.А. , Старицын М.В. , Солнышкин А.В. , Сергеева О.Н. , Каптелов Е.Ю. , Пронин И.П.
Published: February 2022

The microstructure and pyroelectric properties of AlxGa1-xN composite epitaxial layers grown on SiC/Si(111) and SiC/Si(110) hybrid substrates by the chloride-hydride epitaxy have been studied. The phenomenon of spontaneous formation of a system of heterojunctions consisting of periodic AlxGa1-xN layers of different composition located perpendicular to the direction of growth, was discovered during the growth of layers. Measurements of the pyroelectric coefficients of these heterostructures have shown that regardless of the orientation of the initial Si substrate and their pyroelectric coefficients have close values of the order of γ ~ (0.7-1)•10-10 С/cm2K. It is shown that to increase the magnitude of the pyroresponse it is necessary to deposit an AlN layer with a thickness exceeding 1 μm on the AlxGa1-xN/SiC/Si surface. This leads to record values of the pyroelectric coefficient γ ~ 18•10-10 С/cm2K for AlN crystals and films
Электрические и магнитные свойства интеркалированных соединений в системе Gd-=SUB=-x-=/SUB=-NbSe-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=- (0 ≤ x≤0.33)
Authors: Плещев В.Г.
Published: February 2022

The electrical and magnetic properties were measured on polycrystalline samples of niobium diselenide intercalated with gadolinium atoms. The dependences of the electrical resistance on temperature point to a predominantly phonon scattering mechanism for charge carriers, while the concentration dependences are determined by increasing scattering by interstitial atoms. The magnetic properties of GdxNbSe2 (0≤x≤0.33) were studied in the temperature range of 2–350 K and in the range of magnetic fields up to 70 kOe. Based on the results of studies of magnetic susceptibility and magnetization, the possibility of the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions in the studied compounds and the phenomenon of spin reorientation in a magnetic field are shown. The observed decrease in the effective magnetic moment of gadolinium ions with an increase with their concentration is discussed in terms of a possible intramolecular exchange.
Association Between Step Count Measured With a Smartphone App (Pain-Note) and Pain Level in Patients With Chronic Pain: Observational Study
Authors: Ogawa Takahisa , Castelo-Branco Luis , Hatta Kotaro , Usui Chie
Published: February 2022

Background

Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting between 20% and 50% of the global population. The key recommended treatment is physical activity, which can be measured in daily life using a pedometer. However, poor adherence to pedometer use can result in incorrect measurements. Furthermore, only a few studies have investigated a possible curvilinear association between physical activity and chronic pain.

Objective

In this study, we developed the Pain-Note smartphone app to collect real-world data on step count, using the smartphone’s built-in pedometer. The aims of our research are (1) to evaluate the association between daily step count and pain level among patients with chronic pain and (2) determine if the association between daily step count and pain level was curvilinear.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study based on step count data collected with the app and on the results of questionnaires, which measured the duration and intensity of pain, the widespread pain index, the symptom severity score, and the insomnia severity scale, including 7 questions for symptoms of depression. We analyzed the association between step count and pain level as a nonlinear relationship using a restricted cubic spline model. A prespecified subgroup analysis was also conducted based on fibromyalgia criteria.

Results

Between June 1, 2018, and June 11, 2020, a total of 6138 records were identified, of which 1273 were analyzed. The mean age of the participants was 38.7 years, 81.9% (1043/1273) were female, and chronic pain was present for more than 5 years in 43.2% (550/1273) of participants. Participants in the third and fourth quartiles for step count (more than 3045 and 5668 steps a day, respectively) showed a significant positive association between higher step count and lower numerical pain rating scale (mean difference –0.43, 95% CI –0.78 to –0.08, P=.02; –0.45; 95% CI –0.8 to –0.1, P=.01, respectively) than those in the first quartile (less than or equal to 1199 steps a day). The restricted cubic spline model for the association between step count and pain scale displayed a steep decline followed by a moderate decrease as the step count increased; the inflection point was 5000 steps. However, this association was not observed among participants who met the fibromyalgia criteria (491/1273), who showed a steep positive increase below 2000 steps. Data were collected between June 1, 2018, and June 11, 2020, and were analyzed on November 18, 2021.

Conclusions

Step count measured with the Pain-Note app showed a nonlinear association with pain level. Although participants with and without fibromyalgia showed a negative correlation between step count and pain level, participants who meet the criteria for fibromyalgia may present a different relationship between walking and pain perception compared to those in the general chronic pain population.
Toward Research-Informed Design Implications for Interventions Limiting Smartphone Use: Functionalities Review of Digital Well-being Apps
Authors: Almoallim Sultan , Sas Corina
Published: February 2022

Background

Much research in human-computer interaction has focused on well-being and how it can be better supported through a range of technologies, from affective interfaces to mindfulness systems. At the same time, we have seen a growing number of commercial digital well-being apps. However, there has been limited scholarly work reviewing these apps.

Objective

This paper aims to report on an autoethnographic study and functionality review of the 39 most popular commercial digital well-being apps on Google Play Store and 17 apps described in academic papers.

Methods

From 1250 apps on Google Play Store, we selected 39 (3.12%) digital well-being apps, and from Google Scholar, we identified 17 papers describing academic apps. Both sets of digital well-being apps were analyzed through a review of their functionalities based on their descriptions. The commercial apps were also analyzed through autoethnography, wherein the first author interacted with them to understand how these functionalities work and how they may be experienced by users in their daily lives.

Results

Our findings indicate that these apps focus mostly on limiting screen time, and we advanced a richer conversation about such apps, articulating the distinctions among monitoring use, tracking use against set limits, and 4 specific interventions supporting limited use.

Conclusions

We conclude with 6 implications for designing digital well-being apps, namely calling to move beyond screen time and support the broader focus of digital well-being; supporting meaningful use rather than limiting meaningless use; leveraging (digital) navigation in design for friction; supporting collaborative interaction to limit phone overuse; supporting explicit, time-based visualizations for monitoring functionality; and supporting the ethical design of digital well-being apps.
Immersive Virtual Reality–Based Cognitive Intervention for the Improvement of Cognitive Function, Depression, and Perceived Stress in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia: Pilot Pre-Post Study
Authors: Zhu KaiYan , Zhang QiongYao , He BingWei , Huang MeiZhen , Lin Rong , Li Hong
Published: February 2022

Background

The incidence of dementia is increasing annually, resulting in varying degrees of adverse effects for individuals, families, and society. With the continuous development of computer information technology, cognitive interventions are constantly evolving. The use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) as a cognitive intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia (MD) is promising, although only few studies have focused on its use.

Objective

The Chinese virtual supermarket (CVSM) IVR system was developed to provide a comprehensive and individual cognitive intervention program for older patients with MCI and MD. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of this 5-week IVR-based cognitive intervention.

Methods

A pretest-posttest study design was conducted with 31 older adults with MCI and MD from August 2020 to January 2021. All participants participated in a 5-week immersive virtual cognitive training program using the CVSM system. Feasibility was assessed as the incidence and severity of cybersickness symptoms and participant satisfaction based on questionnaires conducted after the intervention. Clinical effectiveness was evaluated using neuropsychological assessments, including several commonly used measures of cognitive function, depression, perceived stress, and activities of daily living. Measurements were obtained at baseline and after the intervention period.

Results

A total of 18 patients with MCI (mean age 82.94 [SD 5.44] years; 12 females) and 13 patients with MD (mean age 85.7 [SD 4.67] years, 10 females) participated in this pilot study. Both groups showed significant improvements in all cognitive function measurements (P<.001). The MD group had a significantly greater improvement in general cognitive function compared to the MCI group in Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Shape Trail Test, and Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Furthermore, an intervention effect was observed in the improvement of perceived stress (P=.048 for MD group, P=.03 for MCI group ).

Conclusions

The use of the CVSM system may be effective in enhancing the cognitive function of patients with MCI and MD, including general cognitive function, memory, executive function, and attention. IVR technology enriches cognitive intervention approaches and provides acceptable, professional, personalized, and interesting cognitive training for older adults with cognitive impairment.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials ChiCTR2100043753; https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ChiCTR2100043753
Understanding Information Needs and Barriers to Accessing Health Information Across All Stages of Pregnancy: Systematic Review
Authors: Lu Yu , Barrett Laura A , Lin Rebecca Z , Amith Muhammad , Tao Cui , He Zhe
Published: February 2022

Background

Understanding consumers’ health information needs across all stages of the pregnancy trajectory is crucial to the development of mechanisms that allow them to retrieve high-quality, customized, and layperson-friendly health information.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify research gaps in pregnancy-related consumer information needs and available information from different sources.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, and Web of Science for relevant articles that were published from 2009 to 2019. The quality of the included articles was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program. A descriptive data analysis was performed on these articles. Based on the review result, we developed the Pregnancy Information Needs Ontology (PINO) and made it publicly available in GitHub and BioPortal.

Results

A total of 33 articles from 9 countries met the inclusion criteria for this review, of which the majority were published no earlier than 2016. Most studies were either descriptive (9/33, 27%), interviews (7/33, 21%), or surveys/questionnaires (7/33, 21%); 20 articles mentioned consumers’ pregnancy-related information needs. Half (9/18, 50%) of the human-subject studies were conducted in the United States. More than a third (13/33, 39%) of all studies focused on during-pregnancy stage; only one study (1/33, 3%) was about all stages of pregnancy. The most frequent consumer information needs were related to labor delivery (9/20, 45%), medication in pregnancy (6/20, 30%), newborn care (5/20, 25%), and lab tests (6/20, 30%). The most frequently available source of information was the internet (15/24, 63%). PINO consists of 267 classes, 555 axioms, and 271 subclass relationships.

Conclusions

Only a few articles assessed the barriers to access to pregnancy-related information and the quality of each source of information; further work is needed. Future work is also needed to address the gaps between the information needed and the information available.
Simulation-Based Learning Supported by Technology to Enhance Critical Thinking in Nursing Students: Protocol for a Scoping Review
Authors: Stenseth Hege Vistven , Steindal Simen Alexander , Solberg Marianne Trygg , Ølnes Mia Alexandra , Mohallem Andrea , Sørensen Anne Lene , Strandell-Laine Camilla , Olaussen Camilla , Aure Caroline Farsjø , Riegel Fernando , Pedersen Ingunn , Zlamal Jaroslav , Martini Jussara Gue , Bresolin Paula , Linnerud Silje Christin Wang , Nes Andréa Aparecida Gonçalves
Published: February 2022

Background

Critical thinking is a crucial skill in the nursing profession, so teaching strategies and methodology must be carefully considered when training and preparing nursing students to think critically. Studies on simulation-based learning supported by technology are increasing in nursing education, but no scoping reviews have mapped the literature on simulation-based learning supported by technology to enhance critical thinking in nursing students.

Objective

The proposed scoping review aims to systematically map research on the use of simulation-based learning supported by technology to enhance critical thinking in nursing students.

Methods

The proposed scoping review will use the framework established by Arksey and O’Malley and will be reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension for scoping reviews. A systematic, comprehensive literature search was performed in the LILACS, ERIC, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. Pairs of authors independently selected the articles by screening titles, abstracts, full-text papers, and extract data. The data will be analyzed and thematically categorized.

Results

The development of a comprehensive and systematic search strategy was completed in June 2021. The database searches were performed in July 2021, and the screening of titles and abstracts was completed in September 2021. Charting the data began in February 2022. Analysis and synthesis will be performed sequentially, and the scoping review is expected to be complete by May 2023.

Conclusions

The results of this proposed scoping review may identify gaps in the literature and provide an overview of research on the topic of simulation-based learning supported by technology to enhance critical thinking in nursing students. The research may identify nursing students’ reported barriers and enablers for learning critical thinking skills through simulation-based learning supported by technology, and the results may help educators enhance their educational approach through knowledge of students’ firsthand experiences and further development of successful teaching strategies in nursing education.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/36725
Teledermatology: Experience in Singapore
Authors: Tan Eugene Sern-Ting
Published: February 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development and widespread adoption of teledermatology both locally and globally. As dermatology is predominantly a visual specialty, teledermatology is particularly useful for patient care and collaboration between health care professionals.

Objective

To share lessons learned from the local experience with teledermatology in Singapore.

Methods

The main models of teledermatology are asynchronous (store-and-forward), synchronous (real-time communication), and hybrid teledermatology (mixed combination of both asynchronous and synchronous elements).

Results

During the pandemic, teledermatology has enabled suitable patients to have continued access to clinical care in the comfort of their home, while at the same time supporting safe distancing measures to mitigate exposure to and spread of SARS-CoV-2. At the National Skin Centre in Singapore, asynchronous store-and-forward teledermatology is used for telecollaboration with doctors and nurses from external health care institutions, nursing homes, and primary care clinics. A hybrid model comprising synchronous phone or video teleconsultation with the patient, together with review of recent clinical photographs submitted by the patient, is used for the remote care of selected patients with mild and/or stable dermatological conditions. There is a high diagnostic concordance of 87% between teleconsultation and in-person consultation. As not all patients are suitable for teleconsultation, preteleconsultation triage is helpful.

Conclusions

Moving forward, even as we approach a new postpandemic era, teledermatology will continue to evolve and become an integral pillar of the health care landscape.

Conflicts of Interest

None declared.
Smart Speakers: The Next Frontier in mHealth (Preprint)
Authors: Sunshine Jacob
Published: February 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

The rapid dissemination and adoption of smart speakers has enabled substantial opportunities to improve human health. Just as the introduction of the mobile phone led to considerable health innovation, smart speaker computing systems carry several unique advantages that have the potential to catalyze new fields of health research, particularly in out-of-hospital environments. The recent rise and ubiquity of these smart computing systems holds significant potential for enhancing chronic disease management, enabling passive identification of unwitnessed medical emergencies, detecting subtle changes in human behavior and cognition, limiting isolation, and potentially allowing widespread, passive, remote monitoring of respiratory diseases that impact public health. There are 3 broad mechanisms for how a smart speaker can interact with a person to improve health. These include (1) as an intelligent conversational agent, (2) as a passive identifier of medically relevant diagnostic sounds, and (3) by active sensing using the device's internal hardware to measure physiologic parameters, such as with active sonar, radar, or computer vision. Each of these different modalities has specific clinical use cases, all of which need to be balanced against potential privacy concerns, equity concerns related to system access, and regulatory frameworks which have not yet been developed for this unique type of passive data collection.
Development and Effectiveness of a Mobile Health Intervention in Improving Health Literacy and Self-management of Patients With Multimorbidity and Heart Failure: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Bas-Sarmiento Pilar , Fernández-Gutiérrez Martina , Poza-Méndez Miriam , Marín-Paz Antonio Jesús , Paloma-Castro Olga , Romero-Sánchez José Manuel ,   ASyAG_PPIC Team
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Patients with multimorbidity and complex health needs are defined as a priority by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union. There is a need to develop appropriate strategies with effective measures to meet the challenge of chronicity, reorienting national health systems. The increasing expansion of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in patient communication, the reduction of health inequalities, improved access to health care resources, adherence to treatment, and self-care of chronic diseases all point to an optimistic outlook. However, only few mobile apps demonstrate their effectiveness in these patients, which is diminished when they are not based on evidence, or when they are not designed by and for users with different levels of health literacy (HL).

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an mHealth intervention relative to routine clinical practice in improving HL and self-management in patients with multimorbidity with heart failure (HF) and complex health needs.

METHODS

This is a randomized, multicenter, blinded clinical trial evaluating 2 groups, namely, a control group (standard clinical practice) and an intervention group (standard clinical practice and an ad hoc designed mHealth intervention previously developed), for 12 months.

RESULTS

The contents of the mHealth intervention will address user-perceived needs based on the development of user stories regarding diet, physical exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, therapeutic adherence, warning signs and symptoms, and emotional management. These contents have been validated by expert consensus. The creation and development of the contents of the mHealth intervention (app) took 18 months and was completed during 2021. The mobile app is expected to be developed by the end of 2022, after which it will be applied to the experimental group as an adjunct to standard clinical care during 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The trial will demonstrate whether the mobile app improves HL and self-management in patients with HF and complex health needs, improves therapeutic adherence, and reduces hospital admissions. This study can serve as a starting point for developing other mHealth tools in other pathologies and for their generalization to other contexts.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04725526; https://tinyurl.com/bd8va27w

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/35945
Authors Reply to: Research Using Social Media to Recruit Research Participants Should Proceed With Caution. Comment on “Telemanagement of Home-Isolated COVID-19 Patients Using Oxygen Therapy With Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation and Physical Therapy Techniques: Randomized Clinical Trial” (Preprint)
Authors: Adly Aya Sedky , Adly Mahmoud Sedky , Adly Afnan Sedky
Published: February 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

No abstract/not applicable
Authors’ Reply to: Interpretation Bias Toward the Positive Impacts of Digital Interventions in Health Care. Comment on “Value of the Electronic Medical Record for Hospital Care: Update From the Literature” (Preprint)
Authors: Stausberg Jürgen , Uslu Aykut
Published: February 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

N/A
Authors’ Reply to: Toward a Better Understanding of Quality Social Connections. Comment on “Quality Social Connection as an Active Ingredient in Digital Interventions for Young People With Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Scoping Review and Meta-analysis” (Preprint)
Authors: Dewa Lindsay H , Roberts Lily , Lawrance Emma , Ashrafian Hutan
Published: February 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

N/A
An impact evaluation of two modes of care for sickle cell disease crises
Authors: Skinner Robert , Breck Andrew , Esposito Dominick
Published: February 2022

Aim:To estimate the economic impacts of increased use of specialty care infusion centers for treating adults experiencing vaso-occlusive crises.Methods:A Markov model is developed to estimate the impact of expanding use of specialty care infusion centers to treat vaso-occlusive crises compared to emergency department care.Results:Access to infusion centers for sickle cell disease could result in savings over US$1.9 billion in formal medical costs and over US$2 billion in societal costs, based on uptake assumptions over 10 years.Conclusion:Expansion of adult sickle cell disease centers across the nation could lead to considerably better economic outcomes in the form of reduced costs and hospital length of stay in addition to improved clinical outcomes as reported in the existing literature.
Monocarboxylate transporter 1-mediated lactate accumulation promotes nucleus pulposus degeneration under hypoxia in a 3D multilayered nucleus pulposus degeneration model
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan City, 33305, Taiwan, Wang CY , Hsieh MK , Hu YJ , Bit A , Lai PL
Published: February 2022

During intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), due to endplate calcification, diminished oxygen and nutrient concentrations and accumulated lactate are present in the microenvironment of the nucleus pulposus (NP). The disadvantages of 3D layered culture include uneven oxygen and nutrient gradients. In the present study, to mimic the in vivo microenvironment of the NP, a 5-layered 3D culture was constructed using clinical haemostatic gelatine sponges and developed as a NP degeneration (NPD) model. Subsequently, cell distribution as well as expression of NP chondrogenic markers (type II collagen and aggrecan), glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and degeneration markers [e.g. matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3] were measured from the top to the bottom layer. However, in a single NP-cell-loaded disc model, the chondrogenic potency in the middle or bottom layer was higher than that in the top layer. To further study the mechanism underlying the degeneration of NP cells in this NPD model, the contribution of secreted metabolites was examined. Lactate identified in the supernatant modulated GAG accumulation and MMP3 expression. Inhibition of lactate influx by the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)-1 inhibitor, AZD3965, reversed the effect of lactate on GAG accumulation and MMP3 expression and further improved NP cell degeneration in the NPD model. Thanks to the homogenous expression of lactate in the model, it was possible to further identified that the combination of lactate and hypoxia enhanced MMP3 expression. Taken together, multilayered cell-loaded sponges, with oxygen and nutrient gradients as well as lactate accumulation, can represent a 3D multilayered NPD model for exploring potential agents for IVDD.
Effects of Marine Antagonistic Fungi against Plant Pathogens and Rice Growth Promotion Activity
Authors: Chalearmsrimuang Tanaporn , Suasa-ard Supaporn , Jantasorn Arom , Dethoup Tida
Published: February 2022

Ten marine-derived fungi crude extracts, namely Emericella stellatus KUFA0208, Eupenicillium parvum KUFA0237, Neosartorya siamensis KUFA0514, N. spinosa KUFA 0528, Talaromyces flavus KUFA 0119, T. macrosporus KUFA 0135, T. trachyspermus KUFA0304, Trichoderma asperellum KUFA 0559, T. asperellum KUFA 0559 and T. harzianum KUFA 0631 were determined for their fungicidal activity against five rice pathogens in vitro. The results showed that the extracts of E. stellatus KUFA0208 and N. siamensis KUFA0514 exhibited the best antifungal activity, causing complete cessation of the mycelial growth of Alternaria padwickii, Bipalaris oryzae, Fusarium semitectum, Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani at 10 g/L. The N. siamensis KUFA0514 extract was fractioned and antifungal compounds were found in the fractions derived from petroleum-ether and chloroform (7: 3) evidenced by inhibition zones against the mycelial growth of A. padwickii around the disc containing each fraction. Moreover, in rice growth promotion tests, diluted cultural broth of T. asperellum KUFA 0559 and T. harzianum KUFA 0631 were found to strongly promote rice shoot and root elongation; however, higher concentrations of all marine fungal broths resulted in significantly reduced rice seedling growth rather than promotion. Meanwhile, Trichoderma showed great indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production leading to the optimum IAA values of 45.38 and 52.30 µg/ml at 11 and 13 days after inoculation, respectively. The results of this study indicated that marine fungi are promising agents having antagonistic mechanisms involving antibiosis production and plant growth promotion and may be developed as novel biocontrol agents for rice disease management.