Exploratory Nature Research Articles

PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DE PACIENTES DIAGNOSTICADOS COM CÂNCER DE PRÓSTATA NO BRASIL

Objectives: to analyze the epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with prostate câncer in Brazil from 2013 to 2023, quantifying the cases, identifying the most used treatment and the average treatment time and comparing the different regions of the country. Methods: epidemiological, quantitative study of exploratory, descriptive and retrospective nature. Data collection was carried out by the Painel Oncologia Brasil – DATASUS, selecting the following variables: region of diagnosis, age, year of treatment and type of treatment, from 2013 to 2023. Results: the region with the highest number of diagnosed cases was the Southeast, followed by the Northeast. The highest concentration of patients is in the age group between 60 and 69 years old. There were more diagnoses in 2017 and 2018. The most adopted therapeutic modality was chemotherapy. Conclusion: advanced age is a risk fator to developing prostate câncer. The Southest and Northest regions concentrate the largest number of cases. The therapeutic modality chosen depends on the individuality of each patient. Many diagnosed cases are possibly not registrated.

Особенности зачина публицистической статьи в современных СМИ Германии

The work is conducted within the framework of media linguistics. The aim of the study is to construct a structural-semantic model of the lead. As a result of the analysis, the authors conclude that the lead of a publicistic article possesses specific formal and content-related features. The lead conveys the content of the primary text of the article but functions as an independent communicative unit, possessing a specific set of standard content components. Based on their function, different components can be distinguished in the leads of publicistic articles. These include components of an exploratory nature, informing the reader about the content of the article, and components of a promotional nature, attracting the reader’s attention to the main text. Content components of an informative nature, in terms of their relation to reality, can be divided into objective components, describing certain facts and events, and subjective components, conveying the author’s attitude towards certain facts and events. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that the work determined the frequency of different content components of leads and, based on this, constructed a model of the lead, the most common in the texts of German-language online publications.

Rearticulating Realism: Chains of Reference and Epistemic Success in the Sciences

In recent decades, the long-standing debate about the scientific status of the social sciences and their explanatory nature has been rearticulated through perspectivist, interpretivist, and mechanistic approaches. Whereas mechanistic approaches advocate for realism in sociological models, perspectivist and interpretivist perspectives challenge this by emphasizing the multiple interpretations and meaningful nature of social reality, as opposed to the natural sciences. Currently, the metatheoretical discussion centers on competing views regarding the relationship between theories and the objects they address. In contrast to this focus on theories, I propose a rearticulation of Hacking’s interventionist argument. I argue that all sciences share a common epistemic activity—the construction of chains of reference—which points to shared notions of success. This paves the way for realism through a practice-based argument that does not originate from ontological disputes, suggesting that our best theories are those literally embedded in scientific practice.

Exploring the effect of exercise training on breast cancer's pathologic response and tumor immune microenvironment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and the percentage of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are established prognostic biomarkers in early breast cancer (BC). While exercise training is effective as supportive care throughout the BC journey, its impact on the efficacy of NAC is unknown. This study aims to investigate the influence of a supervised exercise training program (SETP) on pCR and TILs in BC women undergoing NAC. Retrospective exploratory analysis of the subgroup of BC patients treated with NAC included in a clinical trial randomizing to STEP and control arm. Endpoints were pCR, biopsy, and stromal TILs. Sixty-four participants were included, with a mean age of 50.3 ± 10.1years, predominantly stage II and III disease (n = 58, 90.6%), HER2 + (n = 23, 35.9%), or triple-negative (n = 19, 29.7%) tumors. pCR was achieved in 56.7% and 55.9% in the STEP and control arm (p = 0.950). In the STEP arm, median TILs were 5.0 (0.0-80.0) and 5.0 (5.0-30.0), while in the control arm, 5.0 (0.0-90.0) and 0.0 (0.0-30.0) for biopsy and tumor site, respectively. The difference in TILs between arms was 0.04 (confidence interval (CI 95%) - 13.6, 13.7; p = 0.995) and - 4.3 (CI 95% - 11.5, 2.9; (p = 0.233) for biopsy and tumor site, respectively. No statistically significant difference was discerned between the groups concerning TILs of the biopsy. However, a marginally higher TIL level at the tumor site was associated with the SETP arm. No differences were discerned within and between groups on both pCR and TILs, in possible relation to the exploratory nature of the analysis. Future adequately powered research is warranted.

ESTRATÉGIAS DE CONFORTO AMBIENTAL PARA QUADRAS FECHADAS VOLTADAS A ESPORTES DE ALTO RENDIMENTO

Sports architecture, with its particularities, is essential to optimize the efficiency of environments, considering the specific needs of each sport. This article addresses environmental comfort strategies applied to indoor courts intended for high-performance sports, highlighting the importance of an architecturally planned environment to ensure the well-being of athletes and optimize their performance. The study focuses on thermal, visual, acoustic and ergonomic aspects, and analyzes how each of these factors influences sports performance. In addition, it explores the interaction between the body and the physical environment, proposing solutions that favor the creation of functional and comfortable spaces for sports practice and competitive events. The research, of a bibliographic and exploratory nature, brings together concepts of environmental psychology and athletic performance, in addition to highlighting the construction strategies of ventilation, lighting and acoustic control that can be applied to indoor courts with the aim of promoting human well-being. The work proposes solutions so that sports centers offer adequate conditions for sports practice, supporting the creation of environments that favor both the satisfaction and the enhancement of the performance of athletes. From this study, it is possible to define the importance of the preparation and competition environment in the performance of high-performance athletes, and architecture, linked to environmental comfort, is shown to be a tool for the development of these spaces, essential for success in national and international sports competitions.

Psychological Factors and Blood Pressure Responses to Acute Stress in Women with Takotsubo Syndrome: An Exploratory Study.

This secondary analysis aimed to: 1) describe psychological resources and distress in women with Takotsubo Syndrome (TS), and 2) explore whether such factors affect blood pressure (BP) responses to acute mental stress. Participants were 47 women consecutively enrolled in an ongoing study examining the prognostic significance of stress reactivity in TS. Psychological resources (resilience, adaptive coping) and distress (depression, anxiety, PTSD, perceived stress) were self-reported using validated questionnaires <12 weeks after TS. Using a standardized protocol, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) (mmHg) were measured every 5 minutes during baseline (10 min), mental stress (10 min), and recovery (20 min). Associations of psychological resources and distress (high vs. low composite scores), respectively, with BP during mental stress and recovery (change from baseline) were examined using one-way ANCOVAs (covariates: age, anti-hypertensive medications). Given the study's exploratory nature, results are shown as effect sizes.On average, women (Mage= 64.3 years) had high perceived stress, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms and low resilience. Women with high (vs. low) psychological distress displayed less complete SBP (d=.57) and DBP (d=.33) recovery to baseline. Women with low (vs. high) psychological resources demonstrated lower SBP responses during mental stress (d=-.26) alongside a more complete SBP recovery (d=.30). Female survivors of TS with high psychological distress exhibited impaired BP recovery following acute mental stress. While the prognostic significance of impaired BP recovery from mental stress remains to be determined in longitudinal studies, this finding could help identify TS survivors at risk for recurrence.

Emotion topology: extracting fundamental components of emotions from text using word embeddings.

This exploratory study examined the potential of word embeddings, an automated numerical representation of written text, as a novel method for emotion decomposition analysis. Drawing from a substantial dataset scraped from a Social Media site, we constructed emotion vectors to extract the dimensions of emotions, as annotated by the readers of the texts, directly from human language. Our findings demonstrated that word embeddings yield emotional components akin to those found in previous literature, offering an alternative perspective not bounded by theoretical presuppositions, as well as showing that the dimensional structure of emotions is reflected in the semantic structure of their text-based expressions. Our study highlights word embeddings as a promising tool for uncovering the nuances of human emotions and comments on the potential of this approach for other psychological domains, providing a basis for future studies. The exploratory nature of this research paves the way for further development and refinement of this method, promising to enrich our understanding of emotional constructs and psychological phenomena in a more ecologically valid and data-driven manner.

The potential effect of d-cycloserine on the development of anxiety during exposure sessions in patients with agoraphobia

IntroductionCombination of exposure therapy with d-cycloserine (DCS) in patients suffering from anxiety disorders yielded promising results regarding treatment outcomes. However, less is known about short-term effects of DCS during the treatment process, e. g. its potential influence on anxiety during exposure sessions. In this exploratory secondary analysis using data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated longitudinal changes in anxiety during exposure in agoraphobic patients receiving DCS or placebo (PBO). Methods73 patients suffering from agoraphobia (with or without panic disorder) were treated with 12 sessions of individual cognitive behavioral therapy including three exposure sessions. Patients were given either PBO or 50mg of DCS after each successful exposure. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze changes in outcomes measured in subjective units of distress (SUDS) over three time points (i.e. the exposure sessions) in the two groups. ResultsWe observed a decline in several SUDS outcomes in the DCS group, namely initial anxiety, maximum anxiety during exposure and within-session habituation, while the PBO group mostly maintained similar levels of anxiety from session to session. Anxiety at the end of exposure appeared to be stable in the DCS group as well. DiscussionOur findings suggest potential short-term effects of DCS on anxiety during exposure. Long lasting and high degree of anxiety over exposure sessions is burdensome for the patients. Thus, modifications to reduce anxiety during exposure or to accelerate the learning process while maintaining the same treatment efficacy could be desirable. However, given the exploratory nature of the analyses, confirmatory studies testing the hypothesis of a decline of SUDS in agoraphobic patients are needed before confident conclusions can be made.

A randomised controlled phase II trial to examine the feasibility of using hyper-oxygenated fatty acids (HOFA) to prevent facial pressure injuries from medical devices among adults admitted to intensive care-A research protocol.

One in three patients admitted to intensive care will sustain a pressure injury (PI) from a medical device. These injuries are painful and when on the face, head or neck they can result in permanent disfigurement. Preliminary evidence of the efficacy of hyper-oxygenated fatty acids (HOFAs) to prevent facial pressure injuries from medical devices is promising; however, the feasibility of incorporating HOFAs into current standard care to prevent PI from a medical device of the face, head and neck has not been extensively explored. It is intended that the findings from this phase II feasibility study will inform the design of a larger phase III trial, by addressing two primary aims: (1) to assess the feasibility of incorporating HOFAs into standard care to prevent device-related pressure ulcers of the skin associated with the face, head and neck assess the feasibility and (2) efficacy preliminary effectiveness of HOFA. This feasibility study is an investigator-initiated mixed method study incorporating a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of using HOFAs as an adjunct to standard pressure injury prevention and care, compared with standard care alone to prevent facial, head or neck from medical devices among adults admitted to intensive care. The primary outcome of interest is the incidence of facial, head or neck pressure injuries during the first 14 days in intensive care. Secondary outcomes include PI staging, medical device exposure and intensive care and hospital outcomes. The primary analysis will be undertaken using Cox's Proportional Hazards model, and due to the exploratory nature of this phase II trial, efficacy will be based on a one-sided p-value for superiority set at 0.10. Type I and Type II error rates are set at 20%; therefore, a total sample size of 196 study participants is planned. To explore the feasibility of incorporating HOFA into usual care and to design a larger phase III trial, we will aim to interview between 10 and 20 nurses across participating intensive care unit sites. Pressure injuries of the face, head or neck from medical devices, among adults admitted to intensive care, are considered preventable. This phase II study will investigate the feasibility and efficacy of HOFAs as an adjunct to standard care. Importantly, we aim to inform the development of a larger phase III trial.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Global Trend of Residual Stress Induced by WAAM Process and Stress Relief Heat Treatment

Gathering data from previous research and incorporating it into a scientometrics investigation can provide valuable insights into a particular area of study. Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is currently popular for producing customized metal products quickly. Despite this, there have been lack of studies on implementing stress relief heat treatment after the manufacturing process to reduce residual stress in the resulting parts potentially. This paper represents the first bibliometric analysis study focusing on the application of stress-relief heat treatment as a post-processing method for wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). Given the exploratory nature of this research, it is expected that future investigations will continue to delve into these areas, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of the effects of stress-relief heat treatment on the additively manufactured materials.

A programmatic description of an early, intensive behavioral intervention program in Australia

AbstractThere is currently limited research on early, intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) within Australia. The purpose of this paper was to provide a programmatic description and preliminary findings of an intervention approach which provides a high level of intensity of intervention to preschool aged children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 154 children with autism participated in the program from 2011 to 2022. At the group level, children who received 27 hr per week of intervention showed significant gains on standardized cognitive and adaptive behavior measures during an average one year of intervention. Further examination of the response to intervention at an individual level demonstrated that 84% of children showed an acceleration in their rate of learning during intervention, with 52% more than doubling their rate of learning in this time. Age was determined to predict improvement in developmental trajectory, but intake cognitive abilities did not. In general, children who commenced intervention at a younger age made substantial improvements in their rate of learning, but children who commenced intervention at an older age made even greater improvements relative to their skills at commencement. The results as well as limitations given the exploratory nature of this paper are discussed, along with implications for addressing the needs of young autistic children in Australia.

A SEGURANÇA DO PACIENTE

Objective: Promote training for nursing team professionals to reduce the risks of infections caused by invasive procedures. Methods: This study was based on a quantitative research, of an exploratory nature, conducted through field research. Results: The aim was to decrease hospital-acquired infections by raising awareness among the nursing team about the importance of following safety protocols. This included reducing the percentage of devices that could potentially aggravate risks for clients/patients. Final Considerations: The study highlighted the need for targeted training using the presented approach. It emphasized the importance of the entire team remaining vigilant in hygiene practices, handwashing, equipment cleaning, and proper execution of invasive procedures to minimize the risks of infection transmission and spread.

Effects of Chronotherapeutic Interventions in Adults With ADHD and Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) on Regulation of Appetite and Glucose Metabolism

Background: ADHD is highly comorbid with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS). Both are associated with obesity and diabetes, which can be caused by long-term dysregulations of appetite and glucose metabolism. This study explores hormones involved in these processes and the effects of chronotherapeutic interventions in a small sample of adults with ADHD and DSPS. Methods: Exploratory, secondary analysis of data from the PhASE study, a three-armed randomized clinical trial, are presented, including 37 adults (18–53 years) with ADHD and DSPS receiving three weeks of 0.5 mg/day (1) placebo, (2) melatonin, or (3) melatonin plus 30 minutes of bright light therapy (BLT). Leptin (appetite-suppressing), ghrelin (appetite-stimulating), insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and glucose were measured from blood collected at 08:00 hours. Salivary cortisol was collected during the first 30 minutes after awakening and self-reported appetite was assessed. Results: Baseline leptin and IGF-1 levels were higher than reference ranges, and ghrelin and cortisol levels were lower, while insulin and glucose were normal. Melatonin treatment decreased leptin and insulin. Other outcomes remained unchanged and melatonin + BLT had no effects. Conclusion: Due to the small sample size and exploratory nature of the study, results should be interpreted with caution. Overall, these results show no strong indications for dysregulation of appetite and glucose metabolism to suggest high risk of obesity and diabetes in this small sample of adults with ADHD and DSPS. However, baseline appetite was suppressed, likely because measurements took place in the early morning which could be considered the biological night for this study population. Melatonin treatment seemed to cause subtle changes in appetite-regulating hormones suggesting increased appetite. Chronotherapeutic treatment may affect appetite-regulating hormones by advancing the biological rhythm and/or altering eating behaviors, but this remains to be investigated in larger samples using detailed food diaries.

Impact of the Information System and Emotional Intelligence on Corporate Social Responsibility in the Criminal Justice Modules of Piura, 2023

The research on the information system and emotional intelligence in the corporate social responsibility of criminal justice modules in Piura 2023 analyses how the information system and emotional intelligence influence corporate social responsibility. The study, of a quantitative and explanatory nature, was carried out with a sample of 100 collaborators of the Criminal Justice Modules of Piura. Using questionnaires and ordinal logistic regression analysis, it was found that both emotional intelligence and an effective information system are essential to improve corporate social responsibility in these modules. The research concludes that the development of emotional and technological capabilities is crucial to foster a more responsible and effective organizational environment.

Exploring Engagement and Perceived Learning Outcomes in an Immersive Flipped Learning Context

The flipped classroom model has been widely acknowledged as a practical pedagogical approach to enhancing student engagement and learning. However, it faces challenges such as improving student interaction with learning content and peers, particularly in Japanese universities where digital technologies are not always fully utilized. To address these challenges and identify potential solutions, a case study was conducted in which an online flipped course on academic skills was developed and implemented in an immersive virtual environment. The primary objective during this initial phase was not to establish a causal relationship between the use of immersive flipped learning and students' engagement and perceived learning outcomes. Instead, this initiative aimed to explore the benefits and challenges of the immersive flipped learning approach in relation to students' online engagement and their perceived learning outcomes. Following a mixed-methods research approach, quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a survey (N=50) and students' reflective reports (N=80). The study revealed high levels of student engagement and perceived learning outcomes, although it also identified areas needing improvement, particularly in supporting student interactions in the target language. Despite the exploratory nature of this study, the findings suggest that a well-designed flipped learning approach, set in an engaging immersive environment, can significantly enhance student engagement, thereby supporting the learning process. When creating an immersive flipped learning course, educators should incorporate best practices from the literature on both flipped learning and immersive learning design to ensure optimal learning outcomes. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for educators seeking to design engaging and effective remote learning experiences. Further research is needed to explore the scalability and sustainability of the immersive flipped learning approach and its impact on different student populations and in other delivery formats. Received Date: May 4, 2024Revised Date: August 17, 2024Accepted Date: September 7, 2024

Correlating dermatoscopic features with immunohistochemical markers in basal cell carcinoma: a comprehensive analysis of 100 cases in Caucasian population.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, characterized by its low metastatic potential yet considerable diversity in clinical and dermatoscopic presentation. Advances in dermatoscopy have significantly improved the early detection of BCC, revealing specific patterns that guide diagnosis and management. Parallelly, immunohistochemical markers have been explored for their potential to elucidate the underlying tumor biology and prognosis, with particular focus on angiogenesis, melanocytic activity, and lymphangiogenesis. This study aims to investigate the correlations between dermatoscopic features and the immunohistochemical expressions of CD34, CD31, Melan-A, and D2-40 in BCC, through a comprehensive analysis of 100 cases We sought to determine whether visual dermatoscopic patterns correlate with the molecular characteristics defined by immunohistochemical staining, potentially enhancing diagnostic accuracy. A total of 100 cases of clinically and histopathologically confirmed BCC were prospectively analyzed, employing standard dermatoscopic techniques for lesion evaluation and immunohistochemical staining for CD34, CD31, Melan-A, and D2-40 to assess tumor angiogenic potential, melanocytic activity, and lymphangiogenesis. The study was conducted with adherence to ethical standards and informed consent from all participants. Dermatoscopic examination revealed a variety of vascular patterns and pigmented features across different BCC anatomical locations. However, the comprehensive correlation analysis predominantly found a lack of significant associations between dermatoscopic appearances and expressions of the targeted immunohistochemical markers, with the notable exception of a correlation between observed hemorrhage and the Melan-A marker. The lack of significant correlations between dermatoscopic features and immunohistochemical marker expressions in BCC suggests that the biological behavior and angiogenic, melanocytic, and lymphangiogenic activities within BCC lesions may be influenced by factors beyond those assessed in this study. Despite the exploratory nature of these findings, they underscore the complexity of BCC biology and highlight the need for further research incorporating additional markers and advanced imaging techniques.

A - 1 Informant Report of Practical Judgment Is Associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Measures of Brain Structure in a Nondemented Sample of Older Adults

Abstract Objective Given the potential risks associated with compromised judgment in older adulthood, we examined whether informant-reported practical judgment abilities were associated with cognitive impairment and measures of brain structure. Method 97 community-dwelling older adults with informants (Mage = 74.64 ± 7.42, Medu = 15.76 ± 2.42, 74%female, 92%white) underwent neuropsychological evaluation, including the Test of Practical Judgment-Informant (TOP-J-INF), a 15-item informant-reported scale of judgment ability. Participants were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 33) or as neuropsychologically unimpaired (n = 64). Participants completed an MRI study including T1-weighted image processed with FreeSurfer software (v 6.0.0) to obtain estimates of gray matter volume and cortical thickness (parcellated with the Desikan-Killiany atlas). Logistic and linear models analyzed the association of TOP-J-INF with MCI diagnosis and brain volume/thickness (in separate models). To better support the exploratory nature of this analysis of associations with structural brain variables, we did not apply correction for multiple comparisons. Results Each additional point on the TOP-J-INF increased the odds of MCI diagnosis by 16.8% (OR = 1.168, p = 0.004). Worse judgment was associated with reduced brain volume in the right parahippocampal gyrus (β = −11.688, p = 0.032), superior temporal gyrus (β = −51.330, p = 0.040), rostral anterior cingulate cortex (β = −25.704, p = 0.004); and reduced thickness of the left transverse temporal gyrus (β = −0.010, p = 0.041). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between informant report of judgment and measures of brain structure, providing support that informant concerns about a loved one’s compromised judgment is associated with volume/thickness reduction in key brain regions. Assessing practical judgment abilities via informants could provide critical clinical information when working with vulnerable older individuals.

The Relationship between Smoking and Susceptibility to HIV Infection: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Smoking is prevalent among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and it increases morbidity and mortality in this population. However, due to ethical constraints, there is limited information on the effects of smoking on susceptibility to HIV infection. To investigate whether smoking is associated with an increased susceptibility to HIV infection, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of individuals of European ancestry who have ever smoked (n = 99,996) and have HIV (n = 412,130). The random-effects inverse-variance weighted estimation method was used as the study's primary approach, with the MR-Egger regression and the weighted-median method as complementary approaches. Using 100 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of genome-wide significance as instrumental variables for smoking, we observed a significant association between smoking and HIV infection (odds ratio 5.790, 95% confidence interval [1.785, 18.787], and p = 0.003). Comparable results were obtained using the weighted-median method. Our findings implied that smoking is probably associated with increased susceptibility to HIV infection. Given the exploratory nature of this study, further research is needed to confirm this relationship.

Quiet quitting in the Dominican Republic: the employers’ perspective

Purpose This study aims to explore the phenomenon of “Quiet Quitting” from the perspective of employers in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the context of changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach From a qualitative approach, based on methods of Grounded Theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with managers from various sectors. The data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding techniques to identify emerging themes. Findings The study identifies four main scenarios contributing to quiet quitting: Social Disconnection, Stress and Anxiety, Re-evaluation of Priorities and Changes in Job Expectations. These factors indicate a significant shift in the employee–employer relationship post-pandemic. Research limitations/implications The exploratory nature of this study limits its generalizability. Practical implications Organizations can mitigate quiet quitting by implementing flexible work policies, promoting work-life balance and enhancing communication between supervisors and employees. Social implications Addressing quiet quitting can lead to improved employee well-being, higher productivity and a more positive work environment. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to examine quiet quitting in the Dominican Republic from the employers’ perspective, providing unique insights into this understudied phenomenon in the region.

Quantitative Characterization of RCA-Based DNA Hydrogels - Towards Rational Materials Design.

DNA hydrogels hold significant promise for biomedical applications and can be synthesized through enzymatic Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA). Due to the exploratory nature of this emerging field, standardized RCA protocols specifying the impact of reaction parameters are currently lacking. This study varied template sequences and reagent concentrations, evaluating RCA synthesis efficiency and hydrogel mechanical properties through quantitative PCR (qPCR) and indentation measurements, respectively. Primer concentration and stabilizing additives showed minimal impact on RCA efficiency, while changes in polymerase and nucleotide concentrations had a stronger effect. Concentration of the circular template exerted the greatest influence on RCA productivity. An exponential correlation between hydrogel viscosity and DNA amplicon concentration was observed, with nucleobase sequence significantly affecting both amplification efficiency and material properties, particularly through secondary structures. This study suggests that combining high-throughput experimental methods with structural folding prediction offers a viable approach for systematically establishing structure-property relationships, aiding the rational design of DNA hydrogel material systems.