bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nature As Medicine: The 7th (Unofficial) Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine
Authors: Sundermann Melissa , Chielli Deborah , Spell Susan
Published: May 2023

There are 6 Official Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, and now mounting evidence supports daily exposure to nature and fresh air as vital to optimizing overall physical and mental health. Time spent in nature has been shown to help lower blood pressure, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem. The positive effects of time spent in nature span different occupations, ethnic groups, financial status and individuals with a variety of chronic illnesses and disabilities. “Forest Bathing” is the term coined by Japanese researchers for walking in the woods. It is suspected that aerosols from trees, when inhaled during a forest walk, are one factor responsible for elevated immune system Natural Killer (NK) cells, which help fight off infections and tumor growth. In a culture of ever-increasing technology and screen time, now more than ever it is crucial to educate and empower individuals to incorporate nature into therapeutic treatment regimens. This article will demonstrate the potential benefits of nature, share evidence supporting nature as medicine and provide tools to help engage individuals to spend more time outdoors.
All Things Considered: A Collaborative Critical Autoethnography of Emerging Racialized Scholars
Authors: Bundy Jessica , Rhodes Vanessa , Brooks Mariah , Brisbane Maria , Deckard Natalie Delia
Published: May 2023

The literature is rife with problematizations of researcher positionality ( Lin, 2015 ; Milner IV, 2007 ; Sheldon, 2017 ). The discussion of positionality ranges from researchers not acknowledging their own and others’ positionality ( Lin, 2015 ; Milner IV, 2007 ), being aware of the position of research studies one reads ( Lin, 2015 ), or not continually deconstructing one’s own identity throughout the course of the research they conduct ( Sheldon, 2017 ). We confront the issue through the lens of a collaborative critical autoethnography between burgeoning researchers. As racialized cis-women in the academy, we examine our experiences through the interstices of belonging – nominally excluded from belonging in both the academy and the community. Through this work, we confront the question of how we, as racialized cis-women in the academy, confront and navigate the complex dynamics of race, class, and gender when approaching research in our own communities. Our experiences are framed within critical race theory, which assists in demonstrating the ways in which the racialized and gendered dynamics of marginalization in an seemingly inclusive academy are contrasted with the racialized and gendered dynamics of inclusion in ostensibly exclusionary communities. This work extends our knowledge of how individual researchers begin to make sense of it all. Moreover, through this work, our hope for this paper is for those in academia to see themselves, or their colleagues, but also to serve as validation for those yet to come who share these tensions.
Phytochemical Composition and Bioactivities of Essential Oils from Rhizomes of Homalomena pendula and Homalomena cochinchinensis
Authors: Nguyen Linh Thuy Khanh , Doan Tuan Quoc , Nguyen Phu Quynh Dinh , Nguyen Chau Bao Hoai , Tran Linh Thuy Thi , Tran Thi Van Anh , Nguyen Hoai Thi , Ho Duc Viet
Published: May 2023

In this study, we investigated the chemical composition and potential biological properties of essential oils extracted from the rhizomes of two Homalomena species, H. pendula (Blume) Bakh.f. and H. cochinchinensis Engl. Using GC–MS analysis, we found that H. pendula essential oil contains 59 components while H. cochinchinensis essential oil contains 58. Both essential oils were rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, with linalool and terpinen-4-ol being the most prevalent compounds. Additionally, H. cochinchinensis essential oil exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 value of 170.81  ±  11.44 µg/mL, whereas H. pendula essential oil showed moderate activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an IC50 value of 130.65  ±  1.27 µg/mL. This study is the first to report the chemical composition and biological effects of H. pendula essential oil, as well as the anti-inflammatory effects of H. cochinchinensis essential oil.
Reducing avoidance of learnt fear: Extinction of an imminent threat signal partly decreases costly avoidance to a distal threat signal
Authors: Wong Alex H. K. , Pittig Andre
Published: May 2023

In the interplay of fear and avoidance, not only imminent threat signals that directly predict potential threat evoke avoidance, but also distal threat signals that predict these imminent threat signals. Avoidance of learnt fear refers to avoidance to a distal threat signal that prevents the occurrence of an imminent threat signal. In clinical anxiety, it is often pathological given its persistence in the absence of threat and the impairments it inflicts. The current study examined whether fear extinction to an imminent threat signal would effectively reduce avoidance of learnt fear in a sensory preconditioning procedure. Three neutral preconditioning stimuli (PSs), serving as distal threat or safety signals, were paired with three neutral to-be conditioned stimuli (CSs), serving as imminent threat or safety signals. After assessing baseline levels of costly avoidance to the PSs, two CSs were paired with threat. One of these CSs then ceased to predict threat during extinction training. In test, participants showed limited avoidance to the PS that signaled the extinguished CS, however, the level of avoidance was still stronger compared to a PS that signaled a safety CS. Results suggest that exposure to an imminent threat signal partly reduces avoidance to a distal threat.
Economic geography for and by whom? Rethinking expertise and accountability
Authors: Rosenman Emily , Narayan Priti
Published: May 2023

This commentary builds on Doreen Massey's thinking on the economy and relationality to ask: who gets to produce economic knowledge and whose lives does research make visible as economic matters of concern? These questions have been thrown into sharp relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic has highlighted the need for better infrastructures of care, it has also demonstrated that the mission of ‘saving the economy’ from the ravages of COVID-19 has not centred the concerns of those who have experienced the crisis most acutely. Drawing inspiration from the various economic subjects who continue to make, re-make, and articulate the economy through regular shocks and crises – workers, caregivers, and people marginalized by identity or geography – this commentary makes a case for a public economic geography that rethinks who is taken seriously as an ‘expert’ on the economy, and to what publics the field speaks. This, at its heart, is a radical rethinking of accountability, calling on economic geographers to ask: what should research do for whom, and how?
Reflections on the (continued and future) importance of Indigenous geographies
Authors: Smiles Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre
Published: May 2023

Over a decade ago, RDK Herman wrote on the importance of Indigenous geographies and what made it distinct from the broader field of geography of which it is a part. In this commentary, I take up Herman's provocation by making the case that Indigenous geographies will continue to be a vital part of the field of geography as it moves forward into the future, especially in the ways that we think about, re-imagine, and unsettle existing geographical thought and practices, particularly in the ways we relate to the physical and discursive spaces we move within.
Baseline evaluation of nursing students’ informatics competency for digital health practice: A descriptive exploratory study
Authors: Raghunathan Kalpana , McKenna Lisa , Peddle Monica
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The healthcare system is increasingly technology-dependent and proficiency in informatics skills is essential for health professionals to efficiently operate in the contemporary clinical environment. Nurses are major users of digital health technologies and graduates need to be well-prepared and confident to use the different available clinical systems competently as they transition from education to practice.

Aim

To explore undergraduate nursing students’ self-perceptions of informatics competence, set within a larger research project.

Method

Descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional research design, with online self-assessment survey of undergraduate nursing students ( n  =  142). Data were analysed with descriptive, correlation and comparative statistics.

Results

Participants’ perceived overall mean informatics competency was at the level of somewhat competent, with only 40.84% ( n  =  58) at the level of competent. The highest mean value was in foundational information and communication skills and the lowest in information and knowledge management. Formal informatics education within curriculum was limited and lacked uniformity, as was prior exposure to important simulated informatics tools in preparation for practice. Factors including academic year level, computer experience and previous experience using clinical systems had a significant impact on participants’ perceived informatics competency.

Conclusion

Even though informatics competence is vital for clinical practice, with technology becoming pervasive within healthcare, nursing students’ preparedness for digital health was sub-optimal. There were gaps in students’ critical informatics practice knowledge with implications for work readiness of future graduates and nurse education practice.
“It’s Like the Fridge Magnet of the Internet”: Platform Aesthetics, Generational Taste, and the Cross-Cultural Valuation of Good Morning Memes
Authors: Trillò Tommaso
Published: May 2023

This article investigates the values expressed by good morning memes—an understudied subgenre of social media inspiration featuring a “good day” wish—and the criteria that users from different countries and generational groups adopt to evaluate them. Expressed values were detected through a content analysis of 414 memes in English and Italian, while insights about evaluation were derived from 20 semistructured interviews with American and Italian social media users. Analysis revealed cross-cultural divergences in the core values conveyed in the two subsets, with self-efficacy foregrounded by English memes and met with humorous skepticism by Italian memes. Interview data revealed a cross-generational cleavage in the interpretation of the genre based on communicative values, with younger users negatively evaluating the memes as inauthentic due to a lack of creativity and older users appreciating them as genuine attempts to cultivate affiliation between users. Such generational distinctions emerged as crucial to the establishment of a three-way connection between an imagined audience of older users, content types framed as kitsch such as good morning memes, and specific platforms, especially Facebook. The article concludes that such heuristic associations infuse the ways in which people visually imagine social media platforms, coalescing into recognizable platform aesthetics: notions of what platforms look like based on who we believe inhabits them.
China’s Greater Bay Area Plan and Hong Kong: How Phraseologies Represent Different Voices in the Media
Authors: Hou Zhide
Published: May 2023

This study applies phraseologies to the comparative examination of China’s Greater Bay Area plan between Chinese and Anglo-American English-language press. Findings show that the Chinese texts are concerned in promoting cross-border Greater Bay Area integrated development allied with positive references to the role of Hong Kong, whereas the Anglo-American texts construct the Greater Bay Area plan as a political project and place emphasis on the negative impact on Hong Kong. Also, while the Chinese texts focus on government support to legitimate the plan, the Anglo-American texts underline political threat to Hong Kong as a form of delegitimation. This study explicated the social-political factors behind each particular way of representation by presenting an approach that could yield insights into the new politicalized Hong Kong.
Eating Disorder Symptoms, Affect-Regulation Drinking Motives and Drinking-Related Outcomes
Authors: Drury Catherine R. , Armeli Stephen , Hamilton Hannah R. , Loeb Katharine L. , Tennen Howard
Published: May 2023

The present study examined the mediating and moderating effects of affect-regulation (i.e., coping and enhancement) drinking motives in the relationship between eating disorder (ED) pathology and drinking outcomes. The sample included 419 undergraduate college students (52.0% female) who completed self-report questionnaire measures of ED pathology, drinking motives, drinking level, and drinking-related problems. ED pathology was positively associated with both coping and enhancement motivation and drinking-related problems. Results from mediation analyses indicated a positive indirect effect for ED pathology on drinking level through enhancement motivation and positive indirect effects for ED pathology on drinking-related problems (a) through coping motivation and (b) through enhancement motivation and number of heavy drinking days. Little evidence was found for the predicted moderating effects of drinking motives, and few gender differences were observed in the effects of interest. Findings support the notion that distinct motivational pathways underlie the association between ED pathology and alcohol-related outcomes.
Correlation Between Insulin Resistance and Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yuliasih Yuliasih , Handoyo Martino , Rahmawati Lita Diah , Wibisono Sony , Nisa Nabilatun
Published: May 2023

Objectives: Most psoriatic arthritis (PsA) research and studies focus solely on the skin and joint manifestations, but there is also an increased risk of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance (IR). This study aims to discover the relationship between IR and disease activity (DA) in PsA and its phenotype. Materials and methods: Patients with PsA classified using the CASPAR criteria with the disease activity was measured using the DAPSA score, and IR was identified as an elevated HOMA-IR of >2.5. The disease phenotype was determined with Moll and Wright’s classification of the PsA subtype. The Pearson correlation test examined the relationship between DA and IR. The descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the DAPSA score and HOMA-IR value in each PsA phenotype. All tests were two-tailed, analysed with GraphPad Prism 9, and a P-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: From thirty-one patients, there was a strong and positive relationship between DA and IR (r = .768, P = .000). We also observed variations in DAPSA score and HOMA-IR value across different phenotypes, with symmetrical polyarthritis exhibiting the highest DAPSA score (21.55 ± 3.50) and HOMA-IR value (2.913 ± .5392) despite asymmetrical oligoarthritis that being the most frequent phenotype. Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant association between disease activity and insulin resistance in PsA patients, with the symmetrical polyarthritis phenotype demonstrating the highest levels of DAPSA score and IR value. This finding allowed rheumatologists to behold this manifestation and could improve PsA patients' long-term outlook.
Developing Project Management Principles by Examining Codesign Practices in Innovative Contexts
Authors: Zeivots Sandris , Cram Andrew , Wardak Dewa
Published: May 2023

This article analyzes codesign practices within a series of innovation projects that have diverse stakeholders, initially ill-defined goals, and subjective success measures. Following a practitioner inquiry approach, we draw on practice theory to analyze data and artifacts from 68 educational codesign projects shaped through new forms of collaborative working. The article examines project management principles by analyzing codesign practices and explores the interrelationship of practice and the project site. Contributions include an enriched conception of project management ontologies and a set of principles that identify practitioner mindsets and approaches that are valuable in managing innovation projects.
Schottky barrier height engineering on MoS2 field-effect transistors using a polymer surface modifier on a contact electrode
Authors: Choi Dongwon , Jeon Jeehoon , Park Tae-Eon , Ju Byeong-Kwon , Lee Ki-Young
Published: May 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are highly sought after for their superior semiconducting properties, making them promising candidates for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten diselenide (WSe2), are promising alternative 2D materials. However, the devices based on these materials experience performance deterioration due to the formation of a Schottky barrier between metal contacts and semiconducting TMDCs. Here, we performed experiments to reduce the Schottky barrier height of MoS2 field-effect transistors (FETs) by lowering the work function (Фm = Evacuum − EF,metal) of the contact metal. We chose polyethylenimine (PEI), a polymer containing simple aliphatic amine groups (–NH2), as a surface modifier of the Au (ФAu = 5.10 eV) contact metal. PEI is a well-known surface modifier that lowers the work function of various conductors such as metals and conducting polymers. Such surface modifiers have thus far been utilized in organic-based devices, including organic light-emitting diodes, organic solar cells, and organic thin-film transistors. In this study, we used the simple PEI coating to tune the work function of the contact electrodes of MoS2 FETs. The proposed method is rapid, easy to implement under ambient conditions, and effectively reduces the Schottky barrier height. We expect this simple and effective method to be widely used in large-area electronics and optoelectronics due to its numerous advantages.
Accelerating genomic workflows using NVIDIA Parabricks
Authors: O’Connell Kyle A. , Yosufzai Zelaikha B. , Campbell Ross A. , Lobb Collin J. , Engelken Haley T. , Gorrell Laura M. , Carlson Thad B. , Catana Josh J. , Mikdadi Dina , Bonazzi Vivien R. , Klenk Juergen A.
Published: May 2023

Background

As genome sequencing becomes better integrated into scientific research, government policy, and personalized medicine, the primary challenge for researchers is shifting from generating raw data to analyzing these vast datasets. Although much work has been done to reduce compute times using various configurations of traditional CPU computing infrastructures, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) offer opportunities to accelerate genomic workflows by orders of magnitude. Here we benchmark one GPU-accelerated software suite called NVIDIA Parabricks on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and an NVIDIA DGX cluster. We benchmarked six variant calling pipelines, including two germline callers (HaplotypeCaller and DeepVariant) and four somatic callers (Mutect2, Muse, LoFreq, SomaticSniper).

Results

We achieved up to 65 × acceleration with germline variant callers, bringing HaplotypeCaller runtimes down from 36 h to 33 min on AWS, 35 min on GCP, and 24 min on the NVIDIA DGX. Somatic callers exhibited more variation between the number of GPUs and computing platforms. On cloud platforms, GPU-accelerated germline callers resulted in cost savings compared with CPU runs, whereas some somatic callers were more expensive than CPU runs because their GPU acceleration was not sufficient to overcome the increased GPU cost.

Conclusions

Germline variant callers scaled well with the number of GPUs across platforms, whereas somatic variant callers exhibited more variation in the number of GPUs with the fastest runtimes, suggesting that, at least with the version of Parabricks used here, these workflows are less GPU optimized and require benchmarking on the platform of choice before being deployed at production scales. Our study demonstrates that GPUs can be used to greatly accelerate genomic workflows, thus bringing closer to grasp urgent societal advances in the areas of biosurveillance and personalized medicine.
Identification and functional characterization of the dirigent gene family in Phryma leptostachya and the contribution of PlDIR1 in lignan biosynthesis
Authors: Pei Yakun , Cao Wenhan , Yu Wenwen , Peng Chaoyang , Xu Wenhao , Zuo Yayun , Wu Wenjun , Hu Zhaonong
Published: May 2023

Background

Furofuran lignans, the main insecticidal ingredient in Phryma leptostachya, exhibit excellent controlling efficacy against a variety of pests. During the biosynthesis of furofuran lignans, Dirigent proteins (DIRs) are thought to be dominant in the stereoselective coupling of coniferyl alcohol to form ( ±)-pinoresinol. There are DIR family members in almost every vascular plant, but members of DIRs in P. leptostachya are unknown. To identify the PlDIR genes and elucidate their functions in lignan biosynthesis, this study performed transcriptome-wide analysis and characterized the catalytic activity of the PlDIR1 protein.

Results

Fifteen full-length unique PlDIR genes were identified in P. leptostachya. A phylogenetic analysis of the PlDIRs classified them into four subfamilies (DIR-a, DIR-b/d, DIR-e, and DIR-g), and 12 conserved motifs were found among them. In tissue-specific expression analysis, except for PlDIR7, which displayed the highest transcript abundance in seeds, the other PlDIRs showed preferential expression in roots, leaves, and stems. Furthermore, the treatments with signaling molecules demonstrated that PlDIRs could be significantly induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene (ETH), both in the roots and leaves of P. leptostachya. In examining the tertiary structure of the protein and the critical amino acids, it was found that PlDIR1, one of the DIR-a subfamily members, might be involved in the region- and stereo-selectivity of the phenoxy radical. Accordingly, LC–MS/MS analysis demonstrated the catalytic activity of recombinant PlDIR1 protein from Escherichia coli to direct coniferyl alcohol coupling into ( +)-pinoresinol. The active sites and hydrogen bonds of the interaction between PlDIR1 and bis-quinone methide (bisQM), the intermediate in ( +)-pinoresinol formation, were analyzed by molecular docking. As a result, 18 active sites and 4 hydrogen bonds (Asp-42, Ala-113, Leu-138, Arg-143) were discovered in the PlDIR1-bisQM complex. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that the expression profile of PlDIR1 was closely connected with lignan accumulations after SA treatment.

Conclusions

The results of this study will provide useful clues for uncovering P. leptostachya's lignan biosynthesis pathway as well as facilitate further studies on the DIR family.
Protective role of nitric oxide donors on endothelium in ischemia-reperfusion injury: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dou Chaoxun , Han Xue , Xie Hanbin , Liao Haofeng , Xiao Xue , Huang Ziyan , Luo Gangjian , Zhang Xinmin , Yao Weifeng
Published: May 2023

Background

Decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) under hypoxic conditions can lead to endothelial dysfunction. NO supplementation may protect endothelial function in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Therefore, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to verify the protective effect of NO donors on endothelium in IR injury.

Methods

Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to April 1, 2023. The specific inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) RCTs; (2) trials comparing NO donors with placebo control groups; and (3) trials reporting the effects of these interventions on vascular endothelial functional outcomes in IR injury. Random-effects models were used to assess pooled effect sizes, which were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD).

Results

Seven studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and consisted of a total of 149 participants. NO donors were protective of endothelial function in IR injury (SMD: − 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: − 2.33, − 0.88, P < 0.0001; heterogeneity [I2 = 66%, P = 0.001]). Results of the subgroup analysis showed the following: absence of protective effect of NO donor use following ischemia on endothelial function in IR injury − 1.78 (95% CI: − 2.50, − 1.07) and loss of protective effect on endothelial function after prolonged NO donor use − 0.89 (95% CI: − 2.06, 0.28).

Conclusion

The short-period use of NO donors before the onset of ischemia can protect endothelial function in IR injury.
Integrated analysis of clinical and genetic factors on the interindividual variation of warfarin anticoagulation efficacy in clinical practice
Authors: Sun Bao , Ma Siqing , Xiao Feiyan , Luo Jianquan , Liu Mouze , Liu Wenhui , Luo Zhiying
Published: May 2023

Aim

The anticoagulation effect of warfarin is usually evaluated by percentage of time in therapeutic range (PTTR), which is negatively correlated with the risk of warfarin adverse reactions. This study aimed to explore the effects of genetic and nongenetic factors on anticoagulation efficacy of warfarin during different therapeutic range.

Methods

We conducted an observational retrospective study aiming at evaluating the impact of clinical and genetic factors on PTTR from initial to more than six months treatment. This analysis included patients with heart valve replace (HVR) surgery who underwent long-term or life-long time treatment with standard-dose warfarin for anticoagulation control in Second Xiangya Hospital. All patients were followed for at least 6 months. We genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms in VKORC1 and CYP2C9 associated with altered warfarin dose requirements and tested their associations with PTTR.

Results

A total of 629 patients with intact clinical data and available genotype data were enrolled in this study, and only 38.63% patients achieved good anticoagulation control (PTTR > 0.6). Clinical factors, including male gender, older age, overweight, AVR surgery and stroke history, were associated with higher PTTR. Patients with VKORC1 -1639AA genotype had significantly higher PTTR level compared with GA/GG genotype carriers only in the first month of treatment. Patients with CYP2C9*3 allele had higher PTTR compared with CYP2C9*1*1 carriers. Moreover, compared with VKORC1 -1639 AG/GG carriers, INR > 4 was more likely to be present in patients with AA genotype. The frequency of CYP2C9*1*3 in patients with INR > 4 was significantly higher than these without INR > 4.

Conclusion

We confirmed the relevant factors of warfarin anticoagulation control, including genetic factors (VKORC1 -1639G > A and CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms) and clinical factors (male gender, older age, overweight, AVR surgery and stroke history), which could be helpful to individualize warfarin dosage and improve warfarin anticoagulation control during different treatment period.
Predicting early postoperative PONV using multiple machine-learning- and deep-learning-algorithms
Authors: Zhou Cheng-Mao , Wang Ying , Xue Qiong , Yang Jian-Jun , Zhu Yu
Published: May 2023

Objective

PONV reduces patient satisfaction and increases hospital costs as patients remain in the hospital for longer durations. In this study, we build a preliminary artificial intelligence algorithm model to predict early PONV in patients.

Methods

We use R for statistical analysis and Python for the machine learning prediction model.

Results

Average characteristic engineering results showed that haloperidol, sex, age, history of smoking, and history of PONV were the first 5 contributing factors in the occurrence of early PONV. Test group results for artificial intelligence prediction of early PONV: in terms of accuracy, the four best algorithms were CNNRNN (0.872), Decision Tree (0.868), SVC (0.866) and adab (0.865); in terms of precision, the three best algorithms were CNNRNN (1.000), adab (0.400) and adab (0.868); in terms of AUC, the top three algorithms were Logistic Regression (0.732), SVC (0.731) and adab (0.722). Finally, we built a website to predict early PONV online using the Streamlit app on the following website: (https://zhouchengmao-streamlit-app-lsvc-ad-st-app-lsvc-adab-ponv-m9ynsb.streamlit.app/).

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence algorithms can predict early PONV, whereas logistic regression, SVC and adab were the top three artificial intelligence algorithms in overall performance. Haloperidol, sex, age, smoking history, and PONV history were the first 5 contributing factors associated with early PONV.
Patient-provider communication about cognition and the role of memory concerns: a descriptive study
Authors: Hill Nikki L. , Bratlee-Whitaker Emily , Jang Heejung , Bhargava Sakshi , Sillner Andrea Yevchak , Do Justin , Mogle Jacqueline
Published: May 2023

Background

Early identification of cognitive impairment is an important part of health promotion in aging. However, many older adults do not seek help for cognitive problems until their ability to function independently is substantially impacted. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore older adults’ experiences with patient-provider communication specific to cognition as well as compare barriers and facilitators between those with and without memory concerns.

Methods

We conducted an online survey with individuals aged 65 + years (n = 409; mean age = 71.4(4.73); 54% female; 79% non-Hispanic White), purposively sampled to include those with and without memory concerns. Questionnaires included measures of subjective memory decline (SMD), memory concerns, past healthcare experiences, as well as open-ended questions regarding patient-provider communication about cognition. Content analysis was used to code open-ended responses. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in facilitators and barriers to communication among three groups: no SMD (n = 130), SMD without memory concerns (n = 143), and SMD with memory concerns (n = 136).

Results

Only 16.6% of participants reported discussing cognition with a healthcare provider. Of the remaining 83.4%, approximately two-thirds would be open to such discussions in certain circumstances, most frequently if they had worsening memory problems. Over half of participants reported that their provider had never offered cognitive testing. Compared to the no SMD and SMD without memory concerns groups, participants reporting SMD with memory concerns were more likely to: (1) discuss cognition if their healthcare provider initiated the conversation, and (2) avoid discussions of cognitive problems due to fears of losing independence.

Conclusions

We found that most participants, including those reporting SMD with memory concerns, had never discussed cognition with their healthcare providers. Patient-reported barriers and facilitators to communication about cognition differed in several areas based on SMD status and the presence or absence of memory concerns. Consideration of these differences can guide future efforts to improve early identification of subtle cognitive changes that would benefit from further monitoring or intervention.
Comparison of measles IgG enzyme immunoassays (EIA) versus plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for measuring measles serostatus: a systematic review of head-to-head analyses of measles IgG EIA and PRNT
Authors: Lutz Chelsea S. , Hasan Alvira Z. , Bolotin Shelly , Crowcroft Natasha S. , Cutts Felicity T. , Joh Eugene , Loisate Stacie , Moss William J. , Osman Selma , Hayford Kyla
Published: May 2023

Background

As countries move towards or achieve measles elimination status, serosurveillance is an important public health tool. However, a major challenge of serosurveillance is finding a feasible, accurate, cost-effective, and high throughput assay to measure measles antibody concentrations and estimate susceptibility in a population. We conducted a systematic review to assess, characterize, and – to the extent possible – quantify the performance of measles IgG enzyme-linked assays (EIAs) compared to the gold standard, plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT).

Methods

We followed the PRISMA statement for a systematic literature search and methods for conducting and reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses recommended by the Cochrane Screening and Diagnostic Tests Methods Group. We identified studies through PubMed and Embase electronic databases and included serologic studies detecting measles virus IgG antibodies among participants of any age from the same source population that reported an index (any EIA or multiple bead-based assays, MBA) and reference test (PRNT) using sera, whole blood, or plasma. Measures of diagnostic accuracy with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were abstracted for each study result, where reported.

Results

We identified 550 unique publications and identified 36 eligible studies for analysis. We classified studies as high, medium, or low quality; results from high quality studies are reported. Because most high quality studies used the Siemens Enzygnost EIA kit, we generate individual and pooled diagnostic accuracy estimates for this assay separately. Median sensitivity of the Enzygnost EIA was 92.1% [IQR = 82.3, 95.7]; median specificity was 96.9 [93.0, 100.0]. Pooled sensitivity and specificity from studies using the Enzygnost kit were 91.6 (95%CI: 80.7,96.6) and 96.0 (95%CI: 90.9,98.3), respectively. The sensitivity of all other EIA kits across high quality studies ranged from 0% to 98.9% with median (IQR) = 90.6 [86.6, 95.2]; specificity ranged from 58.8% to 100.0% with median (IQR) = 100.0 [88.7, 100.0].

Conclusions

Evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of currently available measles IgG EIAs is variable, insufficient, and may not be fit for purpose for serosurveillance goals. Additional studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of measles EIAs, including MBAs, should be conducted among diverse populations and settings (e.g., vaccination status, elimination/endemic status, age groups).
Thrombopoietin receptor agonist antibody for treating chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Shin Jiwon , Kim Min-Jung , Quan Xingguo , Kim Ji Woong , Lee Sukmook , Park SaeGwang , Jeong Jee-Yeong , Yea Kyungmoo
Published: May 2023

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a common complication in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) leads to dose reduction and treatment delays, lowering chemotherapy efficacy and survival rate. Thus, rapid recovery and continuous maintenance of platelet count during chemotherapy cycles are crucial in patients with CIT. Thrombopoietin (TPO) and its receptor, myeloid proliferative leukemia (MPL) protein, play a major role in platelet production. Although several MPL agonists have been developed to regulate thrombopoiesis, none have been approved for the management of CIT due to concerns regarding efficacy or safety. Therefore, the development of effective MPL agonists for treating CIT needs to be further expanded.

Methods

Anti-MPL antibodies were selected from the human combinatorial antibody phage libraries using phage display. We identified 2R13 as the most active clone among the binding antibodies via cell proliferation assay using BaF3/MPL cells. The effect of 2R13 on megakaryocyte differentiation was evaluated in peripheral blood CD34+ cells by analyzing megakaryocyte-specific differentiation markers (CD41a+ and CD42b+) and DNA ploidy using flow cytometry. The 2R13-induced platelet production was examined in 8- to 10-week-old wild-type BALB/c female mice and a thrombocytopenia mouse model established by intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil (150 mg/kg). The platelet counts were monitored twice a week over 14 days post-initiation of treatment with a single injection of 2R13, or recombinant human TPO (rhTPO) for seven consecutive days.

Results

We found that 2R13 specifically interacted with MPL and activated its signaling pathways. 2R13 stimulated megakaryocyte differentiation, evidenced by increasing the proportion of high-ploidy (≥ 8N) megakaryocytes in peripheral blood-CD34+ cells. The platelet count was increased by a single injection of 2R13 for up to 14 days. Injection of 5-fluorouracil considerably reduced the platelet count by day 4, which was recovered by 2R13. The platelets produced by 2R13 sustained a higher count than that achieved using seven consecutive injections of rhTPO.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that 2R13 is a promising therapeutic agent for CIT treatment.
What difference does it make? A laboratory experiment on the effectiveness of health-oriented leadership working on-site compared to the digital working context
Authors: Klebe Laura , Felfe Jörg
Published: May 2023

Background

Health-oriented leadership (HoL) represents an important workplace resource for employees. However, as opportunities to work from home increase, the question arises, whether leadership is more or less effective in digital working contexts compared to working on-site.

Methods

The current research investigates, whether the effectiveness of health-oriented leadership in terms of staff care is influenced by the working context. In a laboratory experiment with a 2 (no staff care vs. staff care) x 2 (working on-site vs. digital) mixed design (N = 60), a moderating effect of the working context on the relationship between staff care and employees’ mental exhaustion, heart rate, heart rate variability, engagement and job satisfaction was tested.

Results

Results uncovered positive effects of staff care on employees’ mental exhaustion and work-related attitudes in both conditions (d = 1.09–1.91). As expected, the results indicate that the effects on employees’ engagement (d = 0.65) and job satisfaction (d = 0.72) are weaker when working digital.

Conclusion

Findings show that the effectiveness of staff care might differ between working on-site and working digital. In order to maintain the effectiveness of staff care, leaders and employees should keep regular face-to-face contact also when mainly working from home. The study ties in with research on digital leadership and leadership effectiveness, and contributes to the deeper understanding of situational contingencies of health-specific leadership during the process of digitization.
Changes in lifestyle, adiposity, and cardiometabolic markers among young adults in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ekström Sandra , Andersson Niklas , Kull Inger , Georgelis Antonios , Ljungman Petter L. S. , Melén Erik , Bergström Anna
Published: May 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on public health in several ways. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in lifestyle, adiposity, and cardiometabolic markers among young adults in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic and their determinants.

Methods

The study included 1 004 participants from the population-based birth cohort BAMSE. Anthropometrics, body composition (bioelectric impedance analyses), pulse, and blood pressure were measured before (December 2016–May 2019; mean age 22.6 years) and during (October 2020–June 2021; mean age 25.7 years) the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifestyle changes during the pandemic were assessed through a questionnaire.

Results

All measures of adiposity (weight, BMI, body fat percentage, trunk fat percentage) and cardiometabolic markers (blood pressure, pulse) increased during the study period (e.g., body fat percentage by a median of + 0.8% in females, p < 0.001, and + 1.5% in males, p < 0.001). Male sex, non-Scandinavian ethnicity, BMI status (underweight and obesity), and changes in lifestyle factors, e.g., decreased physical activity during the pandemic, were associated with higher increase in BMI and/or adiposity.

Conclusion

Lifestyle factors, adiposity and cardiometabolic markers may have been adversely affected among young adults in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the preceding years. Targeted public health measures to reduce obesity and improve healthy lifestyle are important to prevent future non-communicable diseases.
Comparative evaluation of three total full-face masks for delivering Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV): a bench study
Authors: Spinazzola Giorgia , Ferrone Giuliano , Costa Roberta , Piastra Marco , Maresca Gianmarco , Rossi Marco , Antonelli Massimo , Conti Giorgio
Published: May 2023

Historically, the oro-nasal mask has been the preferred interface to deliver Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV) in critically ill patients. To overcome the problems related to air leaks and discomfort, Total Full-face masks have been designed. No study has comparatively evaluated the performance of the total Full-face masks available.The aim of this bench study was to evaluate the influence of three largely diffuse models of total Full -face masks on patient-ventilator synchrony and performance during pressure support ventilation. NPPV was applied to a mannequin, connected to an active test lung through three largely diffuse Full-face masks: Dimar Full-face mask (DFFM), Performax Full-face mask (RFFM) and Pulmodyne Full-face mask (PFFM).The performance analysis showed that the ΔPtrigger was significantly lower with PFFM (p < 0.05) at 20 breaths/min (RRsim) at both pressure support (iPS) levels applied, while, at RRsim 30, DFFM had the longest ΔPtrigger compared to the other 2 total full face masks (p < 0.05). At all ventilator settings, the PTP200 was significantly shorter with DFFM than with the other two total full-face masks (p < 0.05). In terms of PTP500 ideal index (%), we did not observe significant differences between the interfaces tested.

The PFFM demonstrated the best performance and synchrony at low respiratory rates, but when the respiratory rate increased, no difference between all tested total full-face masks was reported.
Effect of the denture adhesive for dry mouth on the retentive force of the experimental palatal plates: a pilot controlled clinical trial
Authors: Yamane Kunihito , Sato Yuji , Furuya Junichi , Shimodaira Osamu
Published: May 2023

Background

A denture adhesive for dry mouth with good cleaning properties has recently been developed. While previous studies on models have shown the effectiveness of denture adhesives in terms of retention and cleanability, no reports have evaluated their effectiveness in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to compare and investigate the retention and usability of an experimental palatal plate in the dentulous jaw using a denture adhesive for dry mouth, a conventional cream-type denture adhesive, an oral moisturizer, and a denture moisturizer.

Methods

Ten healthy dentulous participants (mean age 27.2 ± 1.6 years) were included in the study. Palatal plates were fabricated. Four test samples were used: denture adhesive for dry mouth, conventional denture adhesive (cream type), oral moisturizer, and denture moisturizer. The sample was applied to the inner surface of the palatal plates, and the retentive force of the palatal plate was measured every 10 min for 30 min. After the measurements, the study participants were asked to rinse the palatal plate with water and subjectively evaluate the samples used.

Results

The conventional denture adhesive (cream type) showed increased retentive force over time, with the maximum retentive force obtained after 10 min of application. However, its washability was rated second lowest. The denture adhesive for dry mouth showed the highest retentive force immediately after application. Its washability was also good.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the denture adhesive for dry mouth has reasonable retentive force in the oral cavity and cleaning properties compared to the conventional cream-type denture adhesive.
“Day or night, no matter what, I will go”: Women’s perspectives on challenges with follow-up care after cervical cancer screening in Iquitos, Peru: a qualitative study
Authors: Morse Rachel M. , Jurczuk Magdalena , Brown Joanna , Jara Lita E. Carrillo , Meza Graciela , López E. Jennifer Ríos , Tracy J. Kathleen , Gravitt Patti E. , Paz-Soldan Valerie A. ,   the Proyecto Precancer Study Group, Del Carpio-Morgan Meda , Grandez Henrry Daza , Escudero Magaly Figueredo , Garcia Satalay Esther Y. , Gilman Sarah D. , Díaz Karina Gonzales , Jerónimo José , Jorges Alcedo , Kohler-Smith Anna , Kosek Margaret , de Guevarra Gabriela Ladrón , de Cuadro Daniel Lenin , Liñán Renso Lopez , Orbegozo Andrea Matos , Marín Jaime , Noble Helen E. , Palacios Victor A. , Reátegui Reyles Ríos , Román Karina , Rositch Anne F. , Santos-Ortiz Carlos , Silva Delgado Hermann F. , Soto Sandra , Tangoa Nolberto , Vásquez Javier Vásquez , del Aguila Giannina Vásquez , Zevallos Karen
Published: May 2023

Background

The study’s objective was to explore the factors associated with loss to follow-up among women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results in Iquitos, Peru from women’s perspectives.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 screen-positive women who were referred for follow-up care but for whom evidence of follow-up was not found. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed inductively, and the codes were then categorized using the Health Care Access Barriers Model for presentation of results.

Results

All interviewed women were highly motivated to complete the continuum of care but faced numerous barriers along the way, including cognitive barriers such as a lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and poor communication from health professionals regarding the process, structural barriers such as challenges with scheduling appointments and unavailability of providers, and financial barriers including out-of-pocket payments and costs related to travel or missing days of work. With no information system tracking the continuum of care, we found fragmentation between primary and hospital-level care, and often, registration of women’s follow-up care was missing altogether, preventing women from being able to receive proper care and providers from ensuring that women receive care and treatment as needed.

Conclusions

The challenges elucidated demonstrate the complexity of implementing a successful cervical cancer prevention program and indicate a need for any such program to consider the perspectives of women to improve follow-up after a positive screening test.