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- Research Article
4
- 10.1111/josh.13425
- Jan 30, 2024
- The Journal of school health
- Susanne R Gaal + 1 more
Mass school shootings have created fear in the American public. The results of this fear have been the hardening of schools, lockdowns, and active shooter drills, yet the mass shootings have not ended. The goal of this study was to analyze the mental health awareness of K-12 public schools teachers in Texas with a goal to identify the connections between mental health awareness and school safety. Data were used from an archival database of K-12 teacher responses in the 2020 Texas Educators' Needs Assessment Regarding School Safety and Victims Services to assess the current state of student mental health concerns and the connection of these concerns to school safety. This needs assessment included one mixed methods survey that was collected from Texas K-12 educators and Texas educators working in higher education in 2020. The original study included 25,161 usable responses (6.1%). For the purpose of this study, only K-12 teacher responses were used in the analysis. The K-12 teacher participants (n = 19,888) included the following institutional levels: (a) special setting, 2,919 (14.7%); (b) elementary school, 6,813 (34.3%); (c) middle/intermediate school, 4,189 (21.1%); (d) high school, 5,864 (29.5%); and (e) district level, 103 (0.5%). A total of 8,053 participant's qualitative responses and 10 of the original quantitative survey questions from the archival data were used to identify all findings in the study. Collected qualitative and quantitative participant responses' outlined a need to improve student mental health by strengthening the focus on supporting all stakeholders (e.g., teachers, parents, counselors, and students) in mental health awareness and education. Participant comments focused on the lack of training, counselor support, and community support regarding the mental health needs of their students. Recommendations to improve student mental health that were developed from this study identified key goals in school counselor role and responsibility to student mental health, increased involvement of community agencies, and improvement to in-school mental health counseling. Final recommendations of this study were focused on the need to improve student mental health if stakeholders want to develop a positive school environment. The failure to build an environment that is focused on student mental health will continue to affect the goal to improve overall school safety.
- Research Article
4
- 10.1007/s00261-023-04140-4
- Jan 28, 2024
- Abdominal radiology (New York)
- Weili Ma + 4 more
To obtain performance values of PET/CT for determining the nodal status of rectal cancer. A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed and Embase for original diagnostic accuracy studies on the diagnostic performance of PET-CT for detection of LN metastasis in rectal cancer. The QUADAS-2 was used to evaluate the methodological quality of each study. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were calculated to estimate the diagnostic role of PET/CT using a random-effects model. A subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the influence of different parameters on diagnostic performance. A total of 15 studies and 1209 patients were included. A publication bias was observed. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC for PET/CT was 0.62 (95% CI 0.49, 0.74), 0.94 (95% CI 0.87, 0.97), and 0.87 (95% CI 0.83-0.89), respectively. Per-node basis yields higher accuracy than per-patient basis, with pooled sensitivities of 0.65 (95% CI 0.50-0.79) vs. 0.56 (95% CI 0.36-0.77) and specificities of 0.96 (95% CI 0.92-1.00) vs. 0.88 (95% CI 0.76-1.00), but there were no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy. PET/CT has high specificity but moderate sensitivity for the detection of LN metastasis in rectal cancer. The current data suggests that the diagnostic capabilities of this method is limited due to its moderate sensitivity.
- Research Article
7
- 10.1007/s10072-024-07347-5
- Jan 27, 2024
- Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
- Aliz Nyári + 10 more
Cognitive impairment (CI) is a frequent symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) and has a great impact on the patients' quality of life, so screening is essential. The brief international cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (BICAMS) was developed for this purpose. However, longitudinal data is lacking with the use of the battery. This study is to assess the performance of patients after 5 and 7 years of the original BICAMS validation study and to identify any influencing factors. BICAMS was used to measure cognitive function of 52 relapsing-remitting MS patients (RRMS) from the original validation study after 5 years (n = 43) and again, after 7 years (n = 42). Patients filled out the fatigue impact scale (FIS) and multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 (MSQoL-54) questionnaire, and we evaluated expanded disability status scale (EDSS). There was an improvement in the BVMT-R and the CVLT-II assessments at both the 5-year (p<0.001 and p=0.025) and the 7-year retest (p<0.001 and p=0.002). The prevalence of CI significantly decreased at the 5-year mark (p=0.021) but remained stable after that. There was no deterioration in MSQoL scores during the study. The basic cognitive performance is the most important influencing factor, but the duration of the disease, the EDSS score, and the escalation of the therapy also affect the cognitive scores. This is the longest longitudinal study utilizing the BICAMS battery, reinforcing its feasibility as a clinical screening tool. It seems that cognitive performance may improve in the long term and early initiation of effective therapy may influence this outcome.
- Research Article
1
- 10.3889/oamjms.2024.9604
- Jan 27, 2024
- Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
- Yossy Yoanita Ariestiana + 2 more
BACKGROUND: Ankyloglossia, known as tongue-tie, is an inherited anomaly and is caused by a short nonelastic frenulum that causes limited tongue movement. Because of the limitations of tongue movement, it can affect the quality of speech. Ankyloglossia treatment is to divide or separate fibrous bands or frenuloplasty. The purpose of making this systematic review is to systematically review the results of frenulopasty governance in cases of ankyloglossia related to speech quality. AIM: The aim of this systematic review is to explain the original study in patients with Ankiloglosia who underwent a frenectomy procedure on the tongue tie. This study included research evaluating results related to speech quality. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Databases, No restrictions on published studies until September 10, 2021. Studies are included if subjects of all ages have ankyloglossia and performed frenuloplasty procedures. The results assessed were the level of speech quality in the subjects of preoperative ankyloglossia and postoperative frenuloplasty. RESULTS: Overall, 473 abstracts resulted from literature searches; 13 studies met the criteria for data extraction and analysis. Of the 13 studies, eight studies were Randomize control trial studies and 5 case–control studies. Three studies evaluated speech outcomes using Likert scores, 3 studies using questionnaires, and 7 studies using different assessments pre-operative and post-operative speech quality. CONCLUSION: Frenuloplasty in subjects with ankyloglossia mostly gives good results in terms of speech quality. Improvements in articulation and mention of consonant phonation improve after frenuloplasty. Frenuloplasty with the 4 flap Z-Plasty Technique provides better results compared to conventional and horizontal vertical frenuloplasty. A long-term study of the correlation of ankyloglossia and speech difficulties and the effects of frenuloplasty is needed.
- Research Article
14
- 10.1007/s00330-024-10599-6
- Jan 26, 2024
- European radiology
- Sherief Ghozy + 9 more
To assess the role of net water uptake (NWU) in predicting outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, adhering to established guidelines. The search covered PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until July 1, 2023. Eligible studies reporting quantitative ischemic lesion NWU in admission CT scans of AIS patients, stratified based on outcomes, were included. Data analysis was performed using R software version 4.2.1. Incorporating 17 original studies with 2217 AIS patients, NWU was significantly higher in patients with poor outcomes compared to those with good outcomes (difference of medians: 5.06, 95% CI: 3.00-7.13, p < 0.001). Despite excluding one outlier study, considerable heterogeneity persisted among the included studies (I2 = 90.8%). The meta-regression and subgroup meta-analyses demonstrated significantly higher NWU in patients with poor functional outcome, as assessed by modified Rankin Scale (difference of medians: 3.83, 95% CI: 1.98-5.68, p < 0.001, I2 = 72.9%), malignant edema/infarct (difference of medians: 8.30, 95% CI: 4.01-12.58, p < 0.001, I2 = 95.6%), and intracranial hemorrhage (difference of medians: 5.43, 95% CI: 0.44-10.43, p = 0.03, I2 = 91.1%). NWU on admission CT scans shows promise as a predictive marker for outcomes in AIS patients. Prospective, multicenter trials with standardized, automated NWU measurement are crucial for robustly predicting diverse clinical outcomes. The potential of net water uptake as a biomarker for predicting outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients holds significant promise. Further validation through additional research could lead to its integration into clinical practice, potentially improving the accuracy of clinical decision-making and allowing for the development of more precise patient care strategies. • Net water uptake, a CT-based biomarker, quantifies early brain edema after acute ischemic stroke. • Net water uptake is significantly higher in poor outcome acute ischemic stroke patients. • Net water uptake on CT scans holds promise in predicting diverse acute ischemic stroke outcomes.
- Research Article
- 10.36962/ecs105/11-12/2023-131
- Jan 25, 2024
- Economics
- Konstantine Telia Konstantine Telia
This article provides an overview analysis about national-cultural differences. In particular, research on national cultural differences (Hofstede. 1980) allowed to compare different national cultures on a large scale. Later, new countries and regions were added to the study; In the end, data was collected from 50 countries and 3 regions. In the original study, four dimensions distinguishing national cultures were used, namely: hierarchical distance, ambiguity avoidance, masculinity-femininity, and added a fifth dimension-Confucian dynamism/long-term orientation (Hofstede. 1997). In original study, each country was assigned a certain score relative to other countries along four dimensions. Country scores (estimates) were compared to conceptually related data obtained from different sources. Hofstede and others. (2010) argue that close correlations confirm the validity of the data, that is, differences between countries are indeed fundamental and long-term phenomena. Keywords: national, cultures, business administration, management, human resources.
- Research Article
6
- 10.1007/s40266-024-01099-9
- Jan 25, 2024
- Drugs & aging
- Camille Schwab + 4 more
Suboptimal prescribing, including the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM), is frequent in patients aged 65 years and older. PIMs are associated with adverse drug events, which may lead to hospital admissions and readmissions for the most serious cases. Several tools, known as lists of PIMs, can detect suboptimal prescription. This systematic review aimed to identify which lists of PIMs are associated with hospital readmission of older patients. MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for the period from 1 January 1991 up to 12 May 2022 to identify original studies assessing the association between PIMs and hospital readmissions or emergency department (ED) revisits within 30 days of discharge in older patients. This study is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Checklist, and the risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for Cohort Studies (NOS) and the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). A total of six studies presenting four different lists of PIMs were included. Readmission rates varied from 4.3 to 25.5% and the odds ratio (OR) between PIMs and hospital readmission varied from 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59; 1.42] to 6.48 [95% CI 3.00; 14.00]. Only two studies found a statistically significant association between a list of PIMs and hospital readmission. These two studies used different tools: the Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP) and the Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (START) and a combination of Beers Criteria® and STOPP and START. This systematic review shows that the association between list of PIMs and 30-day unplanned readmissions remains unclear and seems dependent on the PIM detection tool. Further studies are needed to clarify this association. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021252107.
- Research Article
10
- 10.1111/bjso.12725
- Jan 25, 2024
- The British journal of social psychology
- Magdalena Adamus + 6 more
The paper reports the results of registered conceptual replications of the indirect effect of institutional trust in the relationship between precarity and the endorsement of conspiracy beliefs (CB). The original study of Adam-Troian etal. (2023; British Journal of Social Psychology, 62(S1), 136-159) indicated that subjective appraisals of economic hardship are associated with lower trust in governments and institutions, which in turn is associated with stronger endorsement of CB. Our Studies 1 to 3 report a series of replications using Slovak panel data. Study 4 reports a replication of the mediation model using data from the European Social Survey Round 10 collected in 17 countries. To provide a quantitative synthesis of these and previous results, we conducted mini meta-analysis (N = 50,340). Although the strength of the observed relationships differed across the studies to some degree, the original patterns of relations remained robust, supporting the original model. The study corroborates the view that to curb the spread of CB, it is necessary to address structural issues, such as growing financial insecurity, socioeconomic inequalities, and the deficit of institutional trust. Finally, we discuss the role of cultural and political settings in conditioning the mechanisms through which precarity enhances the endorsement of CB.
- Research Article
15
- 10.1007/s00256-024-04598-3
- Jan 23, 2024
- Skeletal radiology
- Firoozeh Shomal Zadeh + 7 more
To systematically review the literature assessing the role of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) in the differentiation of soft tissue sarcomas from benign lesions. A comprehensive literature search was performed with the following keywords: multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, DCE-MR perfusion, soft tissue, sarcoma, and neoplasm. Original studies evaluating the role of DCE-MRI for differentiating benign soft-tissue lesions from soft-tissue sarcomas were included. Eighteen studies with a total of 965 imaging examinations were identified. Ten of twelve studies evaluating qualitative parameters reported improvement in discriminative power. One of the evaluated qualitative parameters was time-intensity curves (TIC), and malignant curves (TIC III, IV) were found in 74% of sarcomas versus 26.5% benign lesions. Six of seven studies that used the semiquantitative approach found it relatively beneficial. Four studies assessed quantitative parameters including Ktrans (contrast transit from the vascular compartment to the interstitial compartment), Kep (contrast return to the vascular compartment), and Ve (the volume fraction of the extracellular extravascular space) in addition to other parameters. All found Ktrans, and 3 studies found Kep to be significantly different between sarcomas and benign lesions. The values for Ve were variable. Additionally, eight studies assessed diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and 6 of them found it useful. Of different DCE-MRI approaches, qualitative parameters showed the best evidence in increasing the diagnostic performance of MRI. Semiquantitative and quantitative approaches seemed to improve the discriminative power of MRI, but which parameters and to what extent is still unclear and needs further investigation.
- Research Article
6
- 10.1007/s10072-024-07330-0
- Jan 22, 2024
- Neurological Sciences
- Marina Gasparini + 9 more
The Rey's 15 words test is currently the most frequently used task in Italy to detect memory deficits in AD. The current standardised version is however quite outdated and lacks some cognitive indexes which may highlight problems in recall or encoding processes. The aim of the study was to update the normative data of the test and to consider some variables which were not accounted for in the original study, that is, recognition, learning rate and forgetfulness. We also adopted the process scores approach to ascertain the effects of serial position (primacy and recency). Three hundred ninety-six healthy participants were recruited. To detect any variables useful for intercepting the early stages of dementia, a group of 208 patients in the very early stage of AD was also recruited. Linear models were used to calculate the corrections scores for age, education, and gender, and ROCs were used to calculate cut-offs based on the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity and the positive and negative predictive values. All main indexes showed excellent Area Under the Curve (0.90-1), strong sensitivity and PPVs for distinguishing between the HCs and AD participants. However, the Intrusions index performed poorly in all parameters. The study provides updated, normative data which may be reliably used as a cognitive marker to detect early AD. The strength of the study is the large sample size and the number of indexes which make it possible to explore the utility of memory test process scores.
- Research Article
4
- 10.1136/archdischild-2023-325810
- Jan 22, 2024
- Archives of Disease in Childhood
- Frances Kam Yuet Wong + 13 more
ObjectiveTo compare and contrast the perceived care needs of children with life-limiting conditions (CLLC) from the perspectives of the children, parents and healthcare providers.DesignA qualitative case study method using semistructured...
- Research Article
- 10.51891/rease.v9i12.12847
- Jan 20, 2024
- Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação
- Jéssica Portes Nico Braga + 4 more
Research into the intersection between bipolar disorder and wound healing constitutes a relevant field of study, given the complexity of the biological processes involved. Bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings, can potentially influence the body's ability to efficiently recover from skin injuries, triggering a series of dermatological challenges and surgical complications. Understanding the relationship between these two aspects is crucial to providing adequate medical care to individuals facing this psychiatric condition. Objective: The present study aims to carry out a systematic review of the literature to analyze and synthesize the available evidence on the relationship between bipolar disorder and wound healing. We aim to explore recent and relevant studies published in the last 10 years in order to better understand underlying mechanisms, identify possible patterns, and offer insights to optimize clinical practices. Methodology: The search was conducted in the PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases, using the descriptors "bipolar disorder", "wound healing", "dermatological evaluation", "surgical complications" and "scientific literature". The search included articles published in the last 10 years, without mentioning the year 2021. Three inclusion criteria were applied: original studies in humans, focus on the relationship between bipolar disorder and wound healing, and publications in English. Three exclusion criteria were adopted: animal studies, articles unrelated to the topic and languages other than English. Results: Literature review revealed a variety of studies addressing different aspects of the relationship between bipolar disorder and wound healing. Recurring themes included neurobiological impacts on the healing process, influence of psychotropic medications, and practical implications for dermatological and surgical interventions. Additionally, gaps in knowledge were observed that suggest the need for additional research. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review highlight the complexity of the interaction between bipolar disorder and wound healing, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals. An in-depth understanding of these aspects can guide more effective clinical approaches, considering not only the dermatological challenges but also the surgical implications associated with treating individuals with bipolar disorder. This synthesis of evidence contributes to the knowledge base on the interconnection between mental health and dermatology, encouraging future research in this constantly evolving field.
- Research Article
13
- 10.1016/j.tria.2024.100286
- Jan 20, 2024
- Translational Research in Anatomy
- Martyna Dziedzic + 5 more
Analyzing the structures of living specimens has always been an interest for human beings. Anatomy is one of the most important pillars of medicine, and its name comes from the Greek word anatomē which means to cut. The extended and rich history of anatomy is a reminder for modern generations about the value of the work of all the previous physicians, philosophers, and researchers and appreciation of the impact they have made in this field. Considering the importance and the role of anatomy as a pillar of medicine, every small step into establishing knowledge about the anatomical structures and their variations is crucial in developing science. Nowadays, the pace of both general scientific development and anatomical research itself is greater than ever before. Researchers, in their daily practices, mostly focus on three main types of articles published in the field of anatomy: (1) Case Reports, (2) Original Studies, and (3) Synthesis Studies. In the present article, the authors provide the brief history of human anatomy, and emphasize about the significance of this scientific discipline. The possible future shape of anatomical research and education is also discussed.
- Research Article
- 10.1200/jco.2024.42.3_suppl.414
- Jan 20, 2024
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
- Pedro Henrique Benfatti Gomes + 7 more
414 Background: The role of primary prophylaxis (PP) with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) treated with FLOT is currently unknown. Although original FLOT4 study did not recommend PP, the use of G-CSF is common in clinical practice to avoid serious complications. However, its use is associated with increased financial costs. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-institution study. We included patients with pathologically confirmed LAGC who received perioperative FLOT4. Patients were categorized in two groups: PP versus no- PP. Our objectives were to compare frequency of grades 3 or 4 neutropenia (G3/4N) and febrile neutropenia (FN) between PP and non-PP patients. We also evaluate the association between pathological complete response (pCR) and disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) according to the use of PP. Binomial variables were compared using Fisher's exact test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate median DFS and OS and respective 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] and any difference assessed by the log-rank test. Results: From January 2019 until December 2022, 122 LAGC patients were treated with perioperative FLOT. Median age was 56 years, 53.2% were female and 84.4% were ECOG 0. Primary prophylaxis (PP) was used by 58 patients (47.5%); there was no difference between clinical and tumor features between both groups regarding age, sex, ECOG, T and N staging and Lauren’s subtype. PP costs raised treatment costs up to 15%. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred more frequently among patients without PP (65.6 vs. 1.7%; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the frequency of FN between groups (7.8 vs. 0%; p = 0.06). Overall patients, pCR occurred in 11.8% os patients. Regarding the influence of PP in pathological response after FLOT chemotherapy, there was no difference between PP vs non-PP patients with pCR (14.3% vs 9.5%, p = 0.57). Median follow-up was 27.4 (range 2.8 – 70.6 months). Twenty-six patients (21.3%) died during follow-up. Median OS was 52.5 months (95% CI: 47.1-57.8). Median OS for patients in PP and no PP groups were 44.5 and 56.2 months (log-rank P =0.06), respectively. Median DFS was 43.1 months (95% CI: 37.2-48.9). Median DFS for patients in PP and no PP groups were 39.6 and 43.5 months (log-rank P =0.80), respectively. Conclusions: Despite the reduction in the frequency of G3/4N, rates of FN among patients treated with FLOT with G-CSF are too low to justify its use in a routine basis. Furthermore, PP is not associated with relevant clinical endpoints such as pCR neither OS or DFS. Based on this, PP in such situations should not be routinely used due to its financial costs.
- Research Article
1
- 10.1200/jco.2024.42.3_suppl.757
- Jan 20, 2024
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
- Moazzam Shahzad + 7 more
757 Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), tumor DNA fragments detected in blood sourced from primary malignancy, is an emerging non-invasive tool in oncology for screening, diagnosis, and surveillance. Here, we analyze its utility in patients with metastatic appendiceal neoplasms. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched for ‘Appendiceal Neoplasms’ AND ‘Circulating Tumor DNA’. Four original studies reporting the role of ctDNA in appendiceal cancer were included after screening 195 articles. Results: A total of 196 patients were included in the review. (Table) The total number of collected samples was 209 and 41% were tested positive for ctDNA. Singh et al. 2023 reported eight stage IV appendiceal cancer patients with the median age of 64.5 (45-75) years. 37.5% were tested positive for ctDNA while 37.5% had undetectable ctDNA despite having residual peritoneal disease and 25% had insufficient DNA from tumor specimen. López-Rojo et al. 2020 reported 50% ctDNA positive rate. All included patients had KRAS mutation and received hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). On 36.5 months follow-up all the patients were alive but one out of two ctDNA positive patients had a relapse at 39 months follow-up. Kothary et al. 2022 reported 51% ctDNA positivity and 11% had longitudinal ctDNA measurements available which correlated well with their disease course. Zeineddine et al. 2023 collected 160 blood samples from 147 patients. Of 75% with radiographically metastatic disease, 38% had positive ctDNA while out of 25% with no radiographically metastatic disease, 38% had positive ctDNA. The overall survival and progression free survival for ctDNA positive patients was 46.2 months and 60 months, respectively, versus not reached for ctDNA negative patients. When stratified according to tumor grade, the ctDNA detection rate was 22% for well-differentiated, 39% for moderately differentiated, and 49% for poorly differentiated tumors. Conclusions: The use of ctDNA in metastatic appendiceal tumor is not widespread and detection rates are heterogenous. It was observed more in poorly differentiated appendiceal cancers but further studies are needed to evaluate its utility in clinical practice. [Table: see text]
- Research Article
30
- 10.3390/cancers16020422
- Jan 19, 2024
- Cancers
- Sian Mitchell + 7 more
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common malignancy, with a 35% survival rate across all stages at 10 years. Ultrasound is widely used for ovarian tumour diagnosis, and accurate pre-operative diagnosis is essential for appropriate patient management. Artificial intelligence is an emerging field within gynaecology and has been shown to aid in the ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian cancers. For this study, Embase and MEDLINE databases were searched, and all original clinical studies that used artificial intelligence in ultrasound examinations for the diagnosis of ovarian malignancies were screened. Studies using histopathological findings as the standard were included. The diagnostic performance of each study was analysed, and all the diagnostic performances were pooled and assessed. The initial search identified 3726 papers, of which 63 were suitable for abstract screening. Fourteen studies that used artificial intelligence in ultrasound diagnoses of ovarian malignancies and had histopathological findings as a standard were included in the final analysis, each of which had different sample sizes and used different methods; these studies examined a combined total of 15,358 ultrasound images. The overall sensitivity was 81% (95% CI, 0.80-0.82), and specificity was 92% (95% CI, 0.92-0.93), indicating that artificial intelligence demonstrates good performance in ultrasound diagnoses of ovarian cancer. Further prospective work is required to further validate AI for its use in clinical practice.
- Research Article
2
- 10.1007/s11356-024-31839-8
- Jan 19, 2024
- Environmental Science and Pollution Research
- Harieth Hellar-Kihampa
The Tanzanian coast is a vastly diversified ecosystem offering ecological, cultural, and economic services. However, anthropogenic and environmental stressors threaten its productivity and sustainability, prompting extensive research to understand the contamination extent, sources, and impacts. This review covers 77 original field research studies published between 2002 and 2022, focusing on the Tanzanian coastal area. A summary of information on the occurrences, levels, distributions, sources, and impacts of organic and inorganic micropollutants in environmental and biological compartments is provided. The studies were further discussed based on their research focus, where seven key areas were identified, which included the types of micropollutants analyzed, the parameters sampled, the locations investigated, and the crucial conclusions reached. The aim was to evaluate the research trends and identify gaps for future investigations. The studies reveal varying contamination levels, from low to severe, encompassing metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticide residues, nutrients, and microbial contaminants. However, data gaps exist for micropollutant concentrations in ambient air, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants of concern. With increasing urbanization and socio-economic activities, the review emphasizes the necessity for solution-based research to remove and control micropollutants in the area. Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustaining the diverse ecological nature of this vital coastal system.
- Research Article
3
- 10.1186/s12903-024-03862-1
- Jan 18, 2024
- BMC Oral Health
- Vincenzo Ronsivalle + 4 more
BackgroundBruxism, a common oral parafunctional behavior characterized by the grinding or clenching of teeth, is a multifactorial condition with potentially detrimental effects on oral health and overall well-being. In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the relationship between bruxism and alcohol abuse, as both are prevalent issues that may share underlying factors and exacerbate each other. This systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, aims to evaluate the frequency of bruxism among individuals with alcohol abuse.MethodsA comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Lilacs, Scopus and Web of Science, will be conducted to identify relevant studies published up to the knowledge cutoff date in January 2023. The search strategy will include keywords related to bruxism, alcohol abuse, and their synonyms. Inclusion criteria will encompass original research studies, such as observational, cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies, as well as clinical trials, that examine the relationship between bruxism and alcohol abuse. Two independent reviewers will perform the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, with discrepancies resolved by consensus.ResultsThe systematic review will present a summary of the identified studies, including the study design, characteristics of the study populations, and key findings related to the association between bruxism and alcohol abuse. The potential mechanisms underlying this relationship will also be explored. Subgroup analyses and the quality of evidence will be assessed. Finally, the implications of this association for clinical practice and further research will be discussed.ConclusionsThis systematic review will contribute to a better understanding of the interplay between bruxism and alcohol abuse, shedding light on potential risk factors, mechanisms, and clinical implications. The findings may have significant implications for the prevention, management, and treatment of bruxism, particularly in individuals with a history of alcohol abuse.
- Research Article
2
- 10.1515/commun-2023-0076
- Jan 16, 2024
- Communications
- Andreas C Goldberg + 1 more
Abstract In the current media landscape, it is becoming increasingly difficult for citizens to rely on trustworthy information, not least because reliable facts are mixed with dubious claims, unsubstantiated opinions, or outright lies. The ability to distinguish factual from other types of mediated information is becoming increasingly crucial, but we know little about how well-equipped citizens are to make these distinctions. In an original survey study conducted in ten European countries, we asked respondents whether they considered six different statements relating to the European Union to be factual or opinion statements. Our results show that citizens have considerable difficulties in correctly identifying both factual information and opinions. Next to pre-existing judgements, we identify media-related, political, and sociodemographic factors that influence categorisation accuracy. We discuss our findings in relation to citizens’ perceptions of journalistic credibility and their information literacy as well as ongoing debates about the effectiveness of fact-checkers on social media.
- Research Article
5
- 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1265096
- Jan 16, 2024
- Frontiers in psychiatry
- Nasser F Bindhim + 8 more
This research aimed to culturally adapt and validate the MIAS scale for Arabic-speaking individuals within the Saudi Arabian general population, with an emphasis on cultural, societal, and individual nuances. An initial pilot testing with a small group ensured the scale's clarity. Subsequently, two cross-sectional studies involving 189 participants to assess structural validity of the Arabic MIAS scale, and 38 participants to assess the test-retest reliability. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's α, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed for data analysis. The Arabic MIAS scale demonstrated good internal consistency and acceptable test-retest reliability (ICC α = 0.631). A three-factor model emerged (CFI = 0.890, TLI = 0.845, RMSEA = 0.094), including "Outcomes," "Negative Stereotypes," and "Recovery," closely mirroring the original study's structure. one item was excluded from the model since it didn't align with any of the three factors. The study contributes a culturally adapted, validated, non-condition-specific tool to gauge public attitudes toward mental health stigma in an Arabic context. It highlights the need for culturally sensitive stigma research and interventions and underscores the importance of improving such tools for cross-cultural applicability and comparability.