University Affiliated Research Articles

The Extent of Knowledge Among Faculty Members at Jordanian Universities Regarding Principles of AI Ethics in Scientific Research and Its Guidelines

Objectives: Objectives: This study aims to explore the extent of knowledge among faculty members at Jordanian universities regarding the principles of AI ethics in scientific research and its regulatory guidelines, in alignment with SDG 4: Quality Education to promote inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning opportunities. Theoretical Framework: The study is based on the ethical principles of artificial intelligence, emphasizing key dimensions such as data reliability and integrity, privacy and security, human and socio-cultural benefits, and the ethics of integrity, fairness, justice, responsibility, and transparency. These dimensions were used as the basis for designing the study instrument. Method: A descriptive survey methodology was employed. The researchers developed a questionnaire consisting of 40 items, distributed across four domains: (1) data reliability and integrity, (2) privacy, security, and protection, (3) human and socio-cultural benefits, and (4) ethics of integrity, fairness, justice, responsibility, and transparency. The instrument was administered to a randomly selected sample of 245 faculty members across various Jordanian universities. Results and Discussion: The results revealed a high level of knowledge among faculty members regarding the principles and guidelines of AI ethics in scientific research. Moreover, no statistically significant differences were found in participants' responses based on variables such as college affiliation, teaching experience, academic rank, or source of academic degree. The discussion elaborates on these findings, emphasizing their significance in enhancing ethical research practices involving AI. Research Implications: The study highlights the importance of incorporating AI ethics education into faculty development programs and strengthening institutional guidelines to uphold ethical standards in scientific research. Originality/Value: This research fills a gap in understanding the level of AI ethics knowledge among faculty members at Jordanian universities, providing actionable insights to advance ethical AI use in academic research.

The effect of preoperative topical magnesium sulfate spraying in the oropharyngeal region on postoperative sore throat following gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPostoperative sore throat is a common complication following general anesthesia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative topical magnesium sulfate spraying in the oropharyngeal region on postoperative sore throat following gynecological laparoscopic surgery.MethodsThe study included 58 patients scheduled for gynecologic laparoscopic surgery at Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to either the magnesium sulfate group or the control group, with 29 patients in each group. In the magnesium sulfate group, 25% magnesium sulfate was sprayed at a dose of 15 mg/kg on the mucous membrane of the pharynx and posterior wall of the larynx near the glottis using a laryngoscope under visual guidance during intubation; in the control group, an equal volume of normal saline was used instead. The primary outcome measure was the overall incidence of postoperative sore throat 48 h after surgery.ResultsThe overall incidence of postoperative sore throat in the magnesium sulfate group was lower than that in the the control group (20.0% vs. 66.7%, P < 0.001). At time points T1 (P < 0.001), T2 (P = 0.02), and T3 (P = 0.015), the incidence of postoperative sore throat in the the magnesium sulfate group was also lower than that in the the control group.ConclusionThis study confirmed that preoperatively spraying magnesium sulfate locally in the Oropharyngeal Region can reduce the frequency and severity of postoperative sore throat.Trial registrationThe study was registered at Chictr.org.cn with the number ChiCTR2400087240 on 07/23/2024.

Clinical effects of surgical resection of osteosarcoma in proximal fibula and long-term follow-up of health status

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the health status and quality of life in patients with osteosarcoma of the proximal fibula following surgical treatment. The procedure necessarily involved resection of the peroneal nerve, resulting in iatrogenic footdrop. Methods: From January 2005 to 26 August 2020 patients with osteosarcoma in the proximal fibula were treated at the oncology department of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital. Clinical-pathological features as well as outcomes of these patients were investigated. Meanwhile, to clarify their health status, the SF-36 health survey questionnaire was administered at 12, 24, and 36 months post-diagnosis. Results: The outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma in the proximal fibula were encouraging. Both the three-year disease-free survival rate and the overall survival rate were recorded at 88.5% (23/26). Data from the SF-36 health survey questionnaire, completed by 20 patients who underwent limb-sparing surgery, revealed that at 24 months, patients perceived themselves as less healthy, both physically and emotionally, compared to their status at 12 months. Despite observing significant recovery at 36 months, the health status did not return to the levels reported at 12 months. The majority of patients (n = 17) identified “footdrop after surgery” as the primary factor affecting their quality of life. Conclusions: Osteosarcomas affecting the proximal fibula typically demonstrate a favorable prognosis following multi-modal treatment. However, patients’ health status, including psychological well-being, requires improvement. Oncologists should strive to achieve an “equilibrium point” that minimizes the risk of recurrence while preserving peroneal nerve function.

Machine learning-based 28-day mortality prediction model for elderly neurocritically Ill patients.

The growing population of elderly neurocritically ill patients highlights the need for effective prognosis prediction tools. This study aims to develop and validate machine learning (ML) models for predicting 28-day mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). Data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV(MIMIC-IV) database, focusing on elderly neurocritical ill patients with ICU stays ≥ 24 h. The cohort was split into 70 % for training and 30 % for internal validation. We analyzed 58 variables, including demographics, vital signs, medications, lab results, comorbidities, and medical scores, using Lasso regression to identify predictors of 28-day mortality. Seven ML algorithms were evaluated, and the best model was validated with data from Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital. A log-rank test was used to assess survival differences in Kaplan-Meier curves. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) were used to interpret the best model, while subgroup analysis identified variations in model performance across different populations. The study included 1,773 elderly neurocritically ill patients, with a 28-day mortality rate of 28.6 %. The Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) outperformed other models, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.896 in internal validation and 0.812 in external validation. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that higher LightGBM prediction scores correlated with lower survival probabilities. Key predictors identified through SHAP analysis included partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), white blood cell count, age, and lactate. The LightGBM model demonstrated consistent performance across various subgroups. The LightGBM model effectively predicts 28-day mortality risk in elderly neurocritically ill patients, aiding clinicians in management and resource allocation. Its reliable performance across diverse subgroups underscores its clinical utility.

Construction and Validation of a Machine Learning-Based Prediction Model for Short-Term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

ObjectiveCritically ill patients with liver cirrhosis generally have a poor prognosis due to complications such as multiple organ failure. This study aims to develop a machine learning-based prediction model to forecast short-term mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), thereby assisting clinical decision-making for intervention and treatment. MethodsMachine learning models were developed using clinical data from critically ill cirrhotic patients in the MIMIC database, with multicenter validation performed using data from the eICU database and Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital(QUAH). Various machine learning models, including a Stacking ensemble model, were employed, with the SHAP method used to enhance model interpretability. ResultsThe Stacking ensemble model demonstrated superior predictive performance through internal and external validation, with AUC and AP values surpassing those of individual algorithms. The AUC values were 0.845 in the internal validation set, 0.819 in the eICU external validation, and 0.761 in the QUAH validation set. Additionally, the SHAP method highlighted key prognostic variables such as INR, bilirubin, and urine output. The model was ultimately deployed as a web-based calculator for bedside decision-making. ConclusionThe machine learning model effectively predicts short-term mortality risk in critically ill cirrhotic patients in the ICU, showing strong predictive performance and generalizability. The model's robust interpretability and its deployment as a web-based calculator suggest its potential as a valuable tool for assessing the prognosis of cirrhotic patients.

The Influence of Genital Lichen Sclerosus on Sexual Health and Well-being: A Tripartite Comparative Analysis.

Genital lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic mucocutaneous disorder causing considerable discomfort. Despite this, comprehensive comparison of LS impacts on quality of life (QoL), particularly on men's health or relative to other dermatological conditions like pemphigus, are sparse. This research aims to discern the effects of LS on sexual functionality and overall QoL, benchmarking against pemphigus patients and healthy controls. The study's intent is to broaden the understanding of sexual dysfunction, satisfaction, and psychological distress attributable to LS. From March 2021 to September 2023, this observational multicenter study at the affiliated university hospitals involved 176 individuals, 120 females and 56 males, with LS, pemphigus, or as controls. Questionnaires employed were the Female Sexual Function Index or the International Index of Erectile Function depending upon subject's gender, the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Clinical Lichen Sclerosus Score, and Pemphigus Disease Area Index. Differences in QoL were analyzed using either the Fisher exact test or the Mann-Whitney U test, and the correlation between Clinical Lichen Sclerosus Score sexual QoL using Spearman's coefficient. LS patients faced more sexual health challenges than pemphigus patients and healthy people. Women with LS had difficulties with lubrication and pain, men had less satisfaction during intercourse, and all had increased psychological distress, although less than those with pemphigus. A strong link between LS severity and worse sexual QoL, especially for women, was identified. LS significantly affects sexual function and psychological well-being, both for men and women, reaffirming the need for comprehensive management.

Establishment and clinical application of a prognostic index for inflammatory status in triple-negative breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy using machine learning

ObjectiveThis study aims to establish a new prognostic index using machine learning models to predict the clinical outcomes of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy.MethodsIn this study, we collected data from the electronic medical records system of Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital to establish a training set of 501 breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant therapy from January 2017 to December 2021. Additionally, we collected data from Harbin Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University Affiliated Second Hospital, and Harbin Medical University Affiliated Sixth Hospital to establish a validation set of 1533 patients during the same period. All patients underwent blood tests, and the following inflammatory and immune indices were calculated for each patient: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI). The observed outcomes included Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan‒Meier survival curves, Cox survival analysis, propensity score matching analysis (PSM), and a nomogram to comprehensively investigate the impact of inflammatory status on patient survival.ResultsThe training set comprised 501 patients with a mean age of 48.63 (9.41) years, while the validation set comprised 1533 patients with a mean age of 49.01 (9.51) years. The formula for ANLR established through Lasso regression analysis on the training set is: ANLR index = NLR − 0.04 × ALB (g/L). In both the training and validation sets, ANLR was significantly associated with patient DFS and OS (all P < 0.05). Additionally, ANLR was found to be an independent prognostic factor in this study. PSM analysis further confirmed its significant correlation with patient DFS and OS (76 cases vs. 76 cases, χ2 = 2.179, P = 0.001 and χ2 = 2.063, P = 0.002). The nomogram containing ANLR also demonstrated high prognostic value. The C-index for the nomogram in the training set was 0.742 (0.619–0.886) for DFS and 0.758 (0.607–0.821) for OS, while in the validation set, the C-index was 0.733 (0.655–0.791) for DFS and 0.714 (0.634-0.800) for OS.ConclusionANLR was associated with the prognosis of TNBC patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy and could identify high-risk postoperative patients.

Epidemiological characteristics of eleven common respiratory viral infections in children

BackgroundLower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among children. In this study, we aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of viral pathogens associated with LRTIs in hospitalized children in Yan’an; this has yet to be reported in the literature and may guide public health interventions and resource allocation in this region.MethodsBetween June 2021 and May 2023, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the results of viral detection using oral pharyngeal swabs from 4565 children with LRTIs in the Inpatient Department of Yan’an University Affiliated Hospital. Eleven respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza A H1N1 virus (H1N1), seasonal influenza A H3N2 virus (H3N2), influenza B virus (Flu B), parainfluenza virus (HPIV), adenovirus (HADV), bocavirus (HBoV), rhinovirus (HRV), metapneumovirus (HNPV), coronavirus (HCoV), and respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), were confirmed by applying a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit for respiratory viruses. We evaluated the epidemiological features of infections caused by respiratory pathogens, including aging, gender and the seasonal variations of different pathogens, and explored the high-risk factors associated with virus-caused pneumonia.ResultsAt least one virus was detected in all 4565 cases; the positivity rate was 27.95%. We also detected a total of 1,276 cases with mixed infections (with two or more viruses). Of the positive cases, 59.3% were male and 40.7% were female (x2 = 0.41, P = 0.68). The highest positivity rates for respiratory pathogens were observed for HRSV, HRV, and HADV, at 5.98%, 5.67%, and 4.38%, respectively. We also observed variations in the number and positivity rates of respiratory pathogen infections by season, age and gender. HPIV (x2 = 12.05, P < 0.05) and HADV (x2 = 11.73, P < 0.05) were more common in children under three years-of-age. Notably, with the exception of the 1 to < 3 years age group, males consistently demonstrated elevated infection rates across other age groups.ConclusionsOur analysis revealed that respiratory pathogen infections varied by gender, season, and age in the enrolled population of children.

A critical review of dark tourism studies

The topic of dark tourism emerged in the last three decades as tourism became more accessible. It allows forgotten history to be revised and transferred to the public. This study aims to restructure existing categorization regarding dark tourism and address the research gaps in dark tourism studies. We collected studies from international publication databases – Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We pre-processed the following data for each study: topic, authors’ location of university affiliation, study area, year of publication, top-cited articles, top productive journals in publishing dark tourism studies, keywords, and internality/externality of the author from the study area. With the current paper, we analysed review articles published from 1996 to 2024 (first quarter), applying qualitative methods. Based on these, a new analytical framework was generated. Furthermore, the connections between research topics were also analysed. The results of the analysis highlight specific research gaps in the literature on dark tourism and address poorly visible research fields in international journals, e.g. terrorism-related research, social media links of dark tourism, postcolonial contexts, or commemoration of communist past and heritage. Consequently, certain countries and regions are underrepresented in the literature. This critical review offers new research areas but also gives some directions to the theoretical enrichment of the dark tourism concept.

Clinical and splenectomy-based treatment outcomes in 40 cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: a comprehensive analysis

Background/aimThis research study was conducted to examine the clinical characteristics and post-splenectomy survival outcomes of patients diagnosed with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL).Materials and methodsA total of 10 cases of HSTCL patients admitted to the Hematology Department of Fudan University Affiliated Huadong Hospital between January 2012 and December 2021 were included. In addition, we also included 30 other cases reported from domestic and international sources. All pathological specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry, with color development using DAB staining. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests.ResultsIn the 10 HSTCL patients, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was confirmed. Six patients had died, with 5 of them within 1 year of disease onset. Survival analysis showed poorer prognosis in patients with hemophagocytic syndrome and thrombocytopenia. Patients who underwent splenectomy followed by chemotherapy had a higher median and average survival time compared to those who only received chemotherapy. The study included a total of 40 HSTCL patients, with 29 males and 11 females, and an average age of onset at 42.3 years. All patients presented with fever, with some exhibiting emaciation and/or hemophagocytic syndrome. Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and bone marrow involvement were found in the patients. Common laboratory findings included leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. All patients exhibited elevated ferritin levels and decreased blood calcium levels.ConclusionThose patients suffering from hemophagocytic syndrome at the onset of this disease face greater treatment-related difficulties and a higher risk of mortality. Combined chemotherapy after splenectomy may improve HSTCL patient survival.

Comparative effectiveness totally endoscopic thyroidectomy via completely submental tri-hole approach and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy without insufflation

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of totally endoscopic thyroidectomy via the completely submental tri-hole approach and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy without insufflation.MethodsA total of 60 patients with thyroid tumors who were admitted to Panyu College Affiliated Hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were collected in this study. The patients were divided into two groups, the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy group (20 cases) and the totally endoscopic thyroidectomy via the completely submental tri-hole approach group (40 cases). Then, we evaluated the difference of surgical data, operative details, postoperative complications, duration of postoperative swelling, cosmetic satisfaction, discomfort during eating, and pain scores between two groups.ResultsThere were no significant differences between two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, extubation time, length of hospital stay, autotransplantation of parathyroid glands, or postoperative swelling. And neither group experienced voice hoarseness, postoperative bleeding, or lymphatic leakage. The incidence of hypocalcemia did not differ significantly between two groups, although the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy group had a significantly higher incidence of chin numbness (p<0.01). Futhermore, there was no obvious differences in neck pain scores or cosmetic satisfaction scores at 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, and 1 month postoperatively. However, the discomfort during eating score was markedly lower in the totally endoscopic thyroidectomy group compared to the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy group (P < 0.05).ConclusionTotally endoscopic thyroidectomy via the completely submental tri-hole approach offers advantages in reducing postoperative discomfort during eating compared to transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy, indicating promising prospects for clinical application.

Role of Teacher’s Feedback in Master’s Level Thesis Writing

This study explores the pivotal role of teacher’s feedback and guidance in facilitating the accomplishment of thesis writing, identifying and analyzing common benefits or challenges faced by masters level students incorporating teacher feedback into their thesis writingprocess. This study is employed based on qualitative research principles, using a narrative inquiry approach. For this, I collected the data taking unstructured interview with the three purposively selected students, involved in Masters level thesis writing from TribhuvanUniversity (TU) affiliated universities. The collected information was thematically analyzed and interpreted using inductive approach of data analysis. The findings of the study reveal that the teacher feedback on the completion of the master’s thesis assumes many-sided traits. First, it greatly enhances the students’ academic writing skills by providing them with definite and workable guidelines on improving their writing skills. These include feedback on structure, coherence, argumentation, and proper use of academic language—all prime necessities for writing a good quality thesis. Second, teacher feedback enables knowledge acquisition through social interaction. This is usually followed by feedback discussion between the teacher and the learner, whereby learners can clarify their understanding of difficult concepts or get guidelines pertaining to the research methodology or even fine-tune ideas. Such interaction not only helps in the acquisition of knowledge but also in developing critical thinking skills. Thirdly, the research showed that teacher feedback begets self-invention—a process wherein learners began to believe more in themselves, and their sense of academic identity became stronger.This is significant in the context of writing a thesis, where independent research by students is expected, and they are supposed to add original ideas in the subject area. This research finally concludes that the relationship between the teacher and the student during the thesis writing process is, in itself, one of transformation. It is not only the quality of the thesis that is affected by this bond, but it has a telling effect on the overall academic and personal growth of the student. Teachers give constructive feedback, thus influencing the waya student approaches learning, research, and writing. Indeed, the findings of this study point to the importance of the nature of the communicative relationship between the teacher and student, and it is suggested that institutions be aware of the necessity of having a context that fosters positive, supportive relationships between students and their supervisors.

‘Hoping for a life that isn’t just surviving:’ a qualitative study on sexual minority college students’ experiences with identity formation and coming out at a religious institution in the USA

This study explores the identity formation and coming out experiences of 14 sexual minority students at a religiously affiliated university in the USA. Participants described their experiences of cultural, religious, and societal pressure that extended the process of self-acceptance and identity disclosure. We used consensual qualitative research method to analyse each interview. Our analysis led to the identification of eight domains: identity formation; barriers to understanding identity; evolution of label; adoption of label, avoidance of label; coming out process; barriers to coming out; and reactions to coming out. Self-defining moments such as adopting an affirming identity label, disclosing that identity to others, and beginning to initiate non-heterosexual relationships, formed the basis of these domains. Overall, we found that participants described some experiences identified in previous literature. However, we also analysed new information which indicates that the coming out process is lengthy, heavily dependent on context, and problematic issues may arise throughout a lifetime. Findings point to under-researched factors influencing the complexities sexual minority students face within conservative religious institutions.

Clinical features and prognosis of children with multiple Takayasu's arteritis complicated with carotid artery occlusion

This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of Takayasu's arteritis (TA) with carotid artery occlusion in children. This study collected clinical data and follow-up information on the first diagnosis and treatment of c-TA combined with carotid artery occlusion in pediatric patients at the Children's Hospital affiliated with the Capital Institute of Pediatrics and Inner Mongolia Medical University Affiliated Hospital from 2013 to 2023. This study included four female patients with a mean age of (13.25±1.71) years old. The time from onset to diagnosis was (8.14±11.19) months. Their main clinical symptoms and signs were dizziness, headache, chest discomfort, aphasia, dyskinesia, impaired mobility of the limbs, hypertension, asymmetry of blood pressure in the limbs, vascular murmurs or tremors, weakened radial artery pulsation, and decreased muscle strength. All four children showed elevated levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The medical imaging results showed that among the four patients, three had bilateral carotid artery occlusion, and one had unilateral carotid artery occlusion. There were three cases of cerebrovascular involvement, accompanied by arterial involvement in multiple parts of the body, mainly involving bilateral subclavian arteries, cephalic trunk arteries, bilateral renal arteries, bilateral iliac arteries, and middle cerebral arteries. Four children were effectively treated with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants. These children were followed up for a period of (42.25±52.54) months, which showed that the original affected artery still had varying degrees of occlusion, with no progression from the pre-treatment period and no new arterial involvement. The condition of three children with pre-existing physical and language disorders gradually improved. In summary, children with c-TA combined with carotid artery occlusion can cause involvement of multiple blood vessels. Their clinical manifestations are mostly systemic symptoms and ischemia of corresponding supply organs caused by vascular lesions, which are prone to be combined with cerebral infarction, and their occluded blood vessels are difficult to recover.

Preliminary exploration of metabolomics mechanisms in patients with patent foramen ovale and migraine.

This study aimed to investigate the metabolic mechanisms underlying the combination of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine by assessing metabolite expression before and after interventional occlusion surgery. The study included 11 PFO patients from the Heart Center of Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who underwent transcatheter PFO intervention and occlusion surgery between January 2018 and February 2023, and 11 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected pre-surgery, 3 days post-surgery, and 30 days post-surgery for metabolomics analysis. The goal was to identify differentially expressed metabolites between groups. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate these metabolites alongside migraine disability, assessed using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score. Preliminary analysis of metabolic pathways was also conducted. Results showed significant differences in serum metabolites, including dopamine, L-proline, L-tyrosine, D-proline, acetylcarnitine, and dulcitol, between PFO migraine patients and healthy controls based on Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) non-targeted metabolomics analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of these metabolites revealed enrichment in protein digestion, absorption, and metabolic signaling pathways, highlighting the role of metabolism in the disease process. Elevated levels of dopamine and other metabolites were found in migraine patients, with differential metabolites primarily associated with the arginine metabolic pathway, suggesting its importance in the condition's progression. Additionally, patients with PFO and migraine showed significant improvements in headache frequency, duration, and severity post-treatment (p < 0.05), though accompanying symptoms did not show statistically significant changes (p > 0.05). Overall, interventional closure surgery for PFO significantly alleviates headache symptoms in patients.

Medical students' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding hepatitis B and C virus infections in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

We aimed to assess the levels of hepatitis B and C knowledge, attitudes, and practices among medical students in Jordan. A survey included participation from medical students across all faculties in Jordan, from 2022 to 2023. The data were analyzed with The R Statistical Software (v4.1.2; R Core Team 2022) using descriptive statistics, and multivariate regression analyses. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In this study of 2602 participants, the average age was 21.4, with 52.6% females. Most were fourth-year medical students (19.1%), and 52.3% were in clinical years. The mean knowledge score was 14 (SD ± 2.5) out of 20, categorized as high at 58.84%, and low at 41.16%. The mean practice score was 4.89 (SD ± 1.1) out of 7, with good practice in 65%, and low in 35%. The mean attitude score was 1.6 (SD ± 3.1), categorized as low in 81.7%, and high in 18.3%,. High levels of KAP were associated with gender, year of study, and university. Male respondents had lower knowledge (OR: 0.73; p: 0.001; 95% CI: -0.50 to -0.13), and students in the first to fifth years scored lower than sixth-year students. There were moderate positive associations between knowledge and attitude (r: 0.33, p < 0.001), and weak positive associations between knowledge and practice (r: 0.17, p < 0.001), and attitude and practice (r: 0.133, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the participants revealed high adherence to some practices and intermediate knowledge levels. Gender, academic year, and university affiliation emerged as significant factors, highlighting the necessity for tailored interventions.

Health Perceptions and Practices of a Telewellness Fitness Program: Exploratory Case Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people lacked access to group fitness opportunities due to elevated risk of infection, lockdown, and closure of exercise facilities. Additionally, many people experienced higher than average rates of mental health burden (eg, anxiety and stress). To help address these needs, an existing in-person community exercise class, taught by a faculty member from an academic medical center, transitioned to an online synchronous (OS) physical fitness class via the Zoom (Zoom Video Communications) videoconferencing platform. As such, the instructor advertised the OS fitness classes through an existing email list of community members and university faculty, staff, students, or alumni email listservs. This telewellness intervention sought to create a sense of community, build social support, and promote physical and mental wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to determine the perceived mental and physical health benefits of attending an OS fitness class for community members, including health care workers. We also assessed the use and functionality of related technologies necessary for delivering and attending the fitness classes. An online survey questionnaire was created and tested to collect quantitative and qualitative data for an exploratory study. Data were collected to evaluate the fitness class, motivation, perceived health benefits, and related technologies. A convenience sample of people who had participated in the OS fitness classes was recruited for this study via an emailed recruitment flyer. A total of 51 participants accessed and completed the survey questionnaire. Survey participants consisted of 28 of 51 (55%) with a university affiliation, 17 of 51 (33%) with no university affiliation, and 6 of 51 (12%) who declined to state. The largest group of participants reporting full-time employment (18/51, 35%) also reported university affiliation with the academic medical center. In this group, 13 of 51 (25%) participants reported full-time employment, university affiliation, and doctoral degrees. High overall exercise class satisfaction was observed in the survey responses (mean 4.0, SD 1). Data analyses revealed significant perceived value of both mental and physical health benefits as motivating factors for participating in the OS fitness class. Challenges were identified as not being able to receive individual feedback from the instructor and the inability of some participants to see if they were in sync with the rest of the class. Results provide preliminary support for the use of online videoconferencing fitness platforms to promote wellness and facilitate group exercise in the community during times of high infection risk. Future studies should continue to explore perceived benefits, mental and physical wellness, best practices, and the design of related technologies.

Development of the interpretable typing prediction model for osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma based on machine learning and radiomics: a multicenter retrospective study.

Osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are common malignant bone tumors, and accurate differentiation between these two tumors is crucial for treatment strategies and prognosis assessment. However, traditional radiological methods face diagnostic challenges due to the similarity in imaging between the two. Clinical CT images and pathological data of 76 patients confirmed by pathology from January 2018 to January 2024 were retrospectively collected from Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital and Guizhou Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital. A total of 788 radiomic features, including shape, texture, and first-order statistics, were extracted in this study. Six machine learning models, including Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ET), AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting Tree (GB), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and XGBoost (XGB), were trained and validated. Additionally, the importance of features and the interpretability of the models were evaluated through SHAP value analysis. The RF model performed best in distinguishing between these two tumor types, with an AUC value close to perfect at 1.00. The ET and AdaBoost models also demonstrated high performance, with AUC values of 0.98 and 0.93, respectively. SHAP value analysis revealed significant influences of wavelet-transformed GLCM and First Order features on model predictions, further enhancing diagnostic interpretability. This study confirms the effectiveness of combining machine learning with radiomic features in improving the accuracy and interpretability of osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma diagnosis. The excellent performance of the RF model is particularly suitable for complex imaging data processing, providing valuable insights for the future.

Uncovering the Erasure: The Case for Babasaheb Ambedkar as a Pioneer of Indian Sociology

In this article, I critically examine the invisibilisation of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the list of ‘founders’ or ‘pioneers’ of Indian sociology despite his substantial contributions to the discipline. After examining the existing literature, I contend that unlike global sociology, which often recognises founders based on their substantive contributions to the field, Indian sociology favours those with specific university affiliations and a direct engagement with the discipline. Consequently, influential sociological voices like Ambedkar’s are often excluded. The article poses a critical question: Why do Indian sociologists hesitate to teach about Ambedkar as a pioneer while readily recognising Marx, who lacked any direct connection to a sociology department, as a ‘founder’ of the field? Utilising critical mass theory, the article argues that small groups of scholars and teachers from marginalised communities can effectively challenge dominant academic groups and transform the discipline of sociology.

A cross-sectional study on post-stroke depression and the quality of life

BackgroundPost-stroke depression (PSD) is a common mood disorder associated with stroke. By investigating the differences in life quality factors among stroke survivors, the results of this study offer insights into how to better prevent and manage the onset and progression of depression.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional study that selected patients receiving treatment in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Hebei University Affiliated Hospital from September 1 to November 30, 2023. The inclusion criteria for this study were as follows: 1. Age ≥ 18 years; 2. Diagnosis of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke confirmed by imaging examination. The exclusion criteria included: 1. A history of psychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety prior to the onset of the illness; 2. History of psychiatric medication use before the onset; 3. Functional impairments, such as speech, cognitive, or consciousness disorders, that hinder cooperation with the survey questionnaire. Ultimately, a total of 131 patients were included in the study. Based on the results of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), patients were divided into the PSD group and the non-PSD group. The primary evaluation metrics included the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), allowing for a comparison of demographic, clinical data, and evaluation metrics between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, and GraphPad Prism version 9.0 was used for graphical representations.ResultsThe morbidity rate of PSD in this study was 48%, which was slightly higher than the global statistical data. The demographic data did not show any statistical differences in terms of age, sex, history of smoking and drinking, or occupation, but they did show a significant difference in terms of education level (p < 0.05), which was primarily related to low education level in the PSD group. In contrast, the clinical data did not show any differences in terms of stroke type, pathogenic site, or medical history (p > 0.05).ConclusionIn this study, statistical results indicated no significant difference in the mRS between the two groups. However, the GSES, VAS, and FAS showed significant differences. This suggests a strong correlation between GSES, VAS, and FAS with the occurrence of PSD, indicating that these factors may serve as predictors for PSD. In medical practice, focusing on patients’ self-efficacy, pain, and fatigue levels could facilitate recovery. When developing rehabilitation plans, it is crucial to minimize patients’ feelings of self-defeat, enhance their self-efficacy, and manage fatigue effectively. Furthermore, reinforcing pain management throughout the rehabilitation process may promote more effective patient recovery.