Primary Research Research Articles

The (dis)organization of leg ulcer care: A realist synthesis.

Venous leg ulcers affect 1.5% of the UK adult population. Leg ulcers are painful, can be malodourous and are associated with poor quality of life. Leg ulcers are predominantly cared for by nurses in the community. Frequently, patients receive suboptimal treatment through unwanted variations in care and simple ulcers deteriorate to become hard-to-heal wounds. It is important to understand the current UK system of care and how nurses and patients navigate through it. The aim of this paper was to understand how, when, for whom and in what context leg ulcers are cared for in the United Kingdom and specifically, the current system of care, the nurses' role and the patients' experience in this system of care. A realist synthesis of the literature was undertaken, reported following the RAMESES publication standards: Realist syntheses. An iterative literature search was conducted across three recognized health collections from January 2010 to January 2022 that included descriptive studies as well as primary research. 73 papers were included. In the absence of UK national guidance that recommends how leg ulcer care is organized and delivered, care is commissioned locally, with variable outcomes. Patients with venous leg ulcers would like to be looked after by knowledgeable, skilled and confident nurses, in well-equipped and staffed clinics; nurses who have the ability to make clinical judgements to alter their treatment when necessary and are empowered to refer to specialist centres when further support is required. This synthesis offers guidance to commissioners and providers to change how leg ulcer care is organized. The views of a patient and public group was sought at each stage of the synthesis.

Evidence on the ecological and physical effects of built structures in shallow, tropical coral reefs: a systematic map

BackgroundShallow, tropical coral reefs face compounding threats from climate change, habitat degradation due to coastal development and pollution, impacts from storms and sea-level rise, and pulse disturbances like blast fishing, mining, dredging, and ship groundings that reduce reef height and complexity. One approach toward restoring coral reef physical structure from such impacts is deploying built structures of artificial, natural, or hybrid (both artificial and natural) origin. Built structures range from designed modules and repurposed materials to underwater sculptures and intentionally placed natural rocks. Restoration practitioners and coastal managers increasingly consider incorporating – and in many cases have already begun to incorporate – built structures into coral reef-related applications, yet synthesized evidence on the ecological (coral-related; e.g., coral growth, coral survival) and physical performance of built structures in coral ecosystems across a variety of contexts (e.g., restoration, coastal protection, mitigation, tourism) is not readily available to guide decisions. To help fill this gap and inform management decisions, we systematically mapped the global distribution and abundance of published evidence on the ecological (coral-related) and physical performance of built structure interventions in shallow (≤ 30 m), tropical (35°N to 35°S) coral ecosystems.MethodsTo identify potentially relevant articles, we used predefined and tested strategies to search two indexing platforms, one bibliographic database, two open discovery citation indexes, one web-based search engine, one novel literature discovery tool, 19 organizational websites, and information requested from stakeholders. Discovered articles were screened according to preset eligibility criteria first by title and abstract and second by full text. Articles included during full text screening were coded to extract metadata following a predefined framework. We analyzed and visualized the evidence base to answer our primary and secondary research questions and to identify knowledge clusters and gaps. Findings are reported in a narrative synthesis.ResultsOur search discovered > 20,000 potentially relevant unique articles, of which 258 were included in the systematic map. The evidence base spans 50 countries, and the volume of evidence increased over the past five decades. Built structures were most commonly installed for coral restoration (61%) or coastal protection (12%). Structures were predominately characterized as artificial (87%), with fewer hybrid or natural interventions. Evidence clusters existed for intentionally designed artificial structures and outcomes associated with coral-related ecological performance, including coral mortality, growth, recruitment, cover, and diversity. Pronounced evidence gaps occurred at the intersection of several ecological coral-related performance outcomes (e.g., connectivity, microbiome) across all types of built structures; gaps also existed across most ecological coral-related outcomes for artwork and repurposed artificial structures. Physical performance of built structures was most frequently evaluated for outcomes related to waves (n = 14) and sediment and morphology (n = 11) with pervasive evidence gaps across other outcomes like storm surge and water level.ConclusionsWhile the systematic map highlighted several evidence clusters, it also revealed pronounced evidence gaps surrounding the coral-related ecological and physical performance of built structures in coral ecosystems. The compiled evidence base will help inform policy, management, and future consideration of built structures in reef-related applications, including habitat restoration, environmental mitigation, and coastal protection. Map findings also point to promising future research avenues, such as investigating seascape-scale ecological effects of and the physical performance of built structures.

Exploring community participation in vectorborne disease control in Southeast Asia: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionVector borne diseases (VBDs) present significant public health challenges in Southeast Asia (SEA), and the increasing number of cases threatens vulnerable communities. Inadequate vector control and management have been linked...

Building a narcissism-based framework of picnics: An eastern culture perspective

Through the lens of narcissism theory, this study investigates and analyzes the recent trend of picnics in China with the following primary research objectives: (1) What are the patterns, attitudes, and motivations for picnics in China? (2) How the picnic experience shapes picnickers' attitudes and behaviors based on narcissism theory. A mixed-methods approach was conducted for this study, with 17 respondents participating in in-depth semi-structured interviews and 383 questionnaire respondents invited to participate. A theoretical framework was developed based on the findings of the qualitative phase and related literature. Subsequent quantitative results further verified that self-expression, self-presentation, and conspicuousness are three key narcissism-based motives for the picnic experience. Additionally, curiosity plays a moderating role that influences how self-expression, self-presentation, and conspicuousness drive perceived flow during picnics. The major contribution of this study is the construction of a theoretical framework that understands picnicking motives and processes as an overlooked tourism domain. Management implicationsThis study explored the picnic phenomenon in China and examined its implications from a management perspective. It was identified that picnicking in the Chinese context differs significantly from the western perspective. In Eastern cultures, picnics are conspicuous activities and lifestyles where the presentation of decorations and delicacies takes precedence over the picnic food itself. Therefore, destinations and stakeholders catering to Chinese picnickers should emphasize how they can assist picnickers in showcasing their uniqueness and self-presentation. This distinction has crucial management implications, highlighting the need to focus on the aesthetic and social aspects of picnicking to cater effectively to Chinese picnickers.

Decentralized Governance and the Performance of Garissa County, Kenya

Devolution is the strongest form of governance decentralization. Devolution involves rescaling of responsibilities or powers from the national to the regional political organization. The actual form and politics of such rescaling will vary substantially between states, however, amounting to a radical transfer of powers and resources in some cases and a more modest and rhetorical shift of responsibility and service delivery in others. The conceptual scope of this study will be limited to four governance structures variables namely financial decentralization, administrative decentralization, political decentralization and citizen participation. This study targeted staff of Garissa County and were composed of senior managers, middle level managers and operational staff. The study employed descriptive survey design. The researcher used questionnaires as research instruments to collect data to the study. The study adopted both primary and secondary data analysis research design. Primary data was collected using semi structured questionnaires containing both closed and open-ended questions to allow variety. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In addition, the study used multiple regression analysis to analyze the data. From the study findings, this study concluded that administration decentralization has a significant and a positive effect on the performance of Garissa County. The study also concluded that political decentralization has a significant and a positive effect on the performance of Garissa County. From the findings, the study further concluded that financial decentralization had significant and a positive effect on the performance of Garissa County. The study finally concluded that citizen participation had a significant and positive effect on the performance of Garissa County. The study recommended that the government should increase county government autonomy to promote administrative decentralization. The study also recommended that national and county governments should put in place measures to safeguard the independence of political decentralization. The study further recommended that national and county governments should put in place a set of deliberate and proactive processes, policies and structures that support financial decentralization. Finally, the study recommended that county governments should improve citizen participation practices to ensure citizen involvement in governance.

The influence of social media marketing on consumer behavior in the retail industry: A comprehensive review

The pervasive impact of social media marketing on consumer behavior within the retail industry serves as the focal point of this comprehensive review. This paper aims to dissect the intricate relationship between social media marketing initiatives and their effects on consumer purchasing patterns, brand loyalty, and engagement. By collating and examining a broad spectrum of literature, including empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and case analyses, this review endeavors to provide a holistic understanding of how social media platforms are reshaping consumer interactions with retail brands. Without adopting a primary research methodology, this review critically analyzes existing research findings to identify prevailing trends, effective strategies, and the resultant consumer responses to social media marketing in the retail context. The analysis delves into the mechanisms through which social media influences consumer perceptions, engagement practices, and ultimately, purchasing decisions. It highlights the transformative power of social media in marketing, emphasizing the shift towards more interactive, personalized, and consumer-driven communication strategies. Key insights reveal that social media marketing exerts a profound influence on consumer behavior, mediated by factors such as content authenticity, the extent of consumer engagement, and the strategic use of influencers and user-generated content. These elements are shown to enhance brand visibility, strengthen consumer-brand relationships, and influence purchasing behavior. The paper posits that social media marketing represents a critical element in the contemporary retail marketing mix, with significant implications for consumer behaviour. Retailers must leverage innovative social media strategies to engage consumers effectively. The review also suggests avenues for future research, particularly in the context of evolving social media trends and their impact on consumer behavior. This synthesis aims to equip practitioners and scholars with a nuanced understanding of the role of social media marketing in shaping consumer dynamics within the retail sector. Keywords: Social Media Marketing, Consumer Engagement, Brand Awareness, Content Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Personalization, Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Applying a Human Rights-Based Approach to Formal Care and Support Provided in the Home: A Narrative Review

Providing formal care and support in the home has many benefits. Applying a human rights-based approach places the person and their human rights at the centre of all that a health and social care service does. There is a paucity of evidence on how to apply a human rights-based approach in practice when providing homecare. Increasing knowledge and understanding of human rights will empower health and social care practitioners to protect and promote human rights in formal homecare. The aim of this narrative review was to identify and describe human rights-based approaches in homecare, in order to promote awareness and understanding of a human rights-based approach. Five bibliographic databases were searched. Primary research studies pertaining to the delivery of formal homecare that included a human rights-based approach were eligible for inclusion. Sixteen articles were identified for inclusion. Quality appraisal and data extraction were conducted on included studies. A deductive framework analysis was used and concepts of a human rights-based approach that emerged from the literature as relevant to homecare were as follows: dignity and respect, autonomy, equality, participation, and communication. We found that homecare planning and delivery requires the integration of human rights, using approaches, such as person-centred care, partnerships in decision-making, supporting independence, and acknowledging a person’s beliefs and cultures, in everyday practice. Findings from this review can support and enable service providers to apply human rights in everyday practice, ultimately for the benefit of people using homecare services.

Social Media Tourism Marketing Optimization: Improving Promotion Effectiveness and Broadening the Consumer Base

This research investigates the price-based strategy of social media in tourism marketing, specifically in China. The study involves both primary and secondary methodology research, represented in qualitative format. The primary research evidence is collected from Chinese travelers and relevant people in the travel industry by using online questionnaires and interviews since it is a more efficient way to receive more responses within less amount of time. On the other hand, secondary evidence is collected from various online sources, including relevant and credible articles, news reports, and academic essays. According to the secondary evidence, the key areas considered in the pricing-based Marketing Landscape for the Travel industry on social media are the challenges, stakeholders perceptions, pricing-based strategies, and the impact of social media marketing. By evaluating the evidence and data, the research concludes that from both social and economic perspectives, social media marketing has a more significant positive impact than a negative one on the views of companies and customers, which benefit both firms and consumers in terms of the ability to provide better product quality. This research further shows that the tourism industry needs to adopt a pricing strategy tailored to firms specific cases in order to achieve more effective marketing and operation efficiency with long-term development.

Fuzzy Soft Set Theory Applications in Medical Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review and the Roadmap for Future Studies

This paper provides a literature review addressing the use of soft sets in medical diagnosis. Distinguishing itself from the existing literature, the study offers a comprehensive analysis of how fuzzy soft sets can be integrated into diagnostic processes, highlighting a novel fusion of fuzzy and soft sets in medical applications. Any soft set on a countably infinite universe can be regarded as a fuzzy set, recognizing the limitations of traditional diagnostic tools in dealing with vague and incomplete information, our research aims to utilize the flexibility and comprehensiveness of fuzzy soft sets to enhance decision-making accuracy in medical scenarios. The primary objective of this research is to present a thorough and critical analysis of fuzzy soft set theory in medical diagnosis, aiming to establish it as a fundamental approach in the field. By combining all of these results, we can generate a comprehensive picture of the connections between the many theories that account for fuzziness and imprecision, which helps to fill in the blanks left by recent surveys. The review will focus on identifying the main research trends in this field: the primary research topics that soft set theory addresses in medical applications, the community is currently facing and the major theoretical concepts used to study these topics. The primary objective of this review is to assist in the identifying of emerging research directions. Some of these trends are promising and will help shape a new role for soft set theory in the area of medical applications. The fusion of fuzzy and soft sets in medical applications represents a crucial and necessary stage in the research and diagnosis procedures. Key results include the study on development of algorithms and models that outperform traditional methods in accuracy and reliability.

(Going) for the One: Progressive Rock Fandom as Mea Cultura

ABSTRACT In this article, we focus on music fandom related to the band Yes, one of progressive rock’s most enduring legacy acts. Drawing on primary research interviews and focus groups, we argue that progressive rock fandom should be characterized as a largely private pursuit where the relationship between fans and their music is paramount. This relationship, and its associated listening practices, are viewed as an ongoing resource and life-long attachment of significant importance for personal identity, something which we characterize as a form of mea cultura. This term is used to signify individual rather than wider societal approaches to understanding music appreciation and the valorization of music artifacts and history.

Study on the difference and regularity of tongue images in 309 patients with different pathological stages of non-small cell lung cancer.

Tongue diagnosis is a crucial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inspection method for TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment. The primary research focus was on tongue image characteristic parameters of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Analysis of the tongue image parameters of various pathological stages of NSCLC provides technical support for establishing an integrated Chinese and Western auxiliary diagnosis and efficacy evaluation medicine system for lung cancer that integrates tongue image features. Tongue image characteristics of 309 patients with NSCLC and 206 controls were collected and analyzed clinically. The T-test or rank sum test and logistic regression analysis were applied to analyze the characteristics of tongue image indicators of different pathological stages of NSCLC. There were differences in tongue image characteristics in the NSCLC group compared to the control group. The tongue quality and brightness of the tongue coating in the NSCLC group increased, the red component was reduced, the tongue coating thickened, and the yellow component increased compared to the healthy control group. A comparison of tongue image indexes of NSCLC in different pathological stages showed that stage IV had lower TB-b and higher TB-a than stage I. In addition, stage IV had lower TB-b than stage II + III, showing an increase in the blue and red components of the tongue in stage IV and the appearance of cyanotic tongue features. The tongue image characteristics of NSCLC patients differed from those of the control group. Tongue imaging indicators can reflect the characteristics of tongue images of patients with NSCLC. The tongue image characteristics of patients with stage IV lung cancer are bluish and purple compared with those with stage I, II, and III. It is suggested that the tongue's image characteristics can be used as a reference for the pathological classification of NSCLC and judgment of the disease process.

The effects of co-designed physical activity interventions in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Physical activity (PA) declines with age despite the knowledge that physical inactivity is a leading cause of disease, death, and disability worldwide. To better tailor PA interventions to older adults, researchers are turning to the collaborative principles of co-design. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the effectiveness of co-designed PA interventions and standard care for increasing PA and other health outcomes (i.e., physical function, quality of life, mental health, functional independence, attendance and attrition rates) in older adults. A search was conducted in MEDLINE, AgeLine, CINAHL, Embase, and SPORTDiscus. Records were screened by independent pairs of reviewers. Primary research studies conducted among community-dwelling older adults (age 60+) comparing co-designed PA interventions to standard care were considered for inclusion. Controls included wait-list control, usual care, sham interventions, PA interventions without the use of co-design, and no intervention. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to report effect estimates. Quality of evidence was rated using GRADE. Of 16,191 studies screened, eight (N = 16,733) were included in this review. Most studies reported results favouring the effect of co-design on physical activity; however, only two studies (N = 433) could be pooled for meta-analysis resulting in a SMD of 0.28, (95% CI = -0.13 to 0.69; p = 0.19; I2 = 56%) immediately post-intervention. The GRADE quality of evidence was very low. The quantitative analysis of three studies reported improved physical function. This review did not demonstrate that co-designed PA interventions are more effective than standard care for increasing PA in older adults; however, evidence was limited and of very low quality. Further well-designed trials are warranted to better understand the impacts of co-designed PA interventions and how to best implement them into practice. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022314217.

Healthy Minds Index: A brief measure of the core dimensions of well-being.

We developed a self-report measure of psychological well-being for teens and adults, the Healthy Minds Index, based on a novel theory that four trainable pillars underlie well-being: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. Ninety-seven items were developed and revised by experts and guided by qualitative testing with teens (n = 32; average age = 16.0 years). After assessing the internal validity and factor structure in teens (n = 1607; average age = 16.7 years) and adults (n = 420; average age = 45.6 years), we reduced the survey to 17 items. We then validated the factor structure, internal and convergent and divergent validity, and retest reliability of the 17-item Healthy Minds Index in two new teen samples (study 1: n = 1492, average age = 15.7 years; study 2: n = 295, average age = 16.1 years), and one adult sample (n = 285; average age = 45.3 years). The Healthy Minds Index demonstrated adequate validity and provided a comprehensive measure of a novel theory of psychological well-being that includes two domains not found in other conceptualizations of this construct-awareness and insight. This measure will be invaluable for primary research on well-being and as a translational tool to assess the impact and efficacy of widely used behavioral training programs on these core dimensions of wellbeing.

Risk of early revision in total hip arthroplasty: the relative contribution of the surgeon versus the hospital.

Early revision for total hip arthroplasty is a serious adverse outcome. There are multiple contributing risk factors for early revision. Risk factors can exist at the level of the surgeon and the level of the institution. The primary research question of this study was to determine the relative contribution of surgeon-level and hospital-level variance to rates of early revision (overall and for infection) after primary total hip arthroplasty. This is a registry-based study from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). Data for the most commonly used stem (Exeter V40) were used to reduce prosthesis variation from the analysis. A mixed effects Cox Model (also known as a frailty model) with crossed random effects for surgeon and hospital was used. Outcomes were early revision (within 2 years) for all causes and for infection. This model allowed for the risk of early revision to be explained by the variability at the surgeon level or hospital level. There were 32 031 procedures performed by 735 surgeons across 250 hospitals between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019. Surgeon variability significantly contributed to overall variation in revision for any cause and revision for infection (P < 0.0001). There was no significant contribution of hospital-level variation to overall revision or for infection. Surgeon-level factors play a more important role than institution-level factors in early revision after primary total hip arthroplasty. If surgeons are identified as having a higher risk of revision, there is potential for surgeon-level practice change to reduce the risk of early revision.

Lived experiences of end-of-life care at home in the UK: a scoping review of qualitative research

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt; Home is the preferred place of care and death for most people with advanced illness. &lt;b&gt;Aim&lt;/b&gt; To examine and describe the published qualitative literature on the lived experiences of dying at home, to characterise the participants and their contexts and to identify key gaps, with a view to informing future research. &lt;b&gt;Design and Setting&lt;/b&gt; A scoping literature review in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guideline. &lt;b&gt;Method&lt;/b&gt; The online databases CINAHL and MEDLINE were searched with relevant MeSH terms and keywords to identify primary qualitative research published between 2010 and 2022, exploring the lived experience of patients, families and/or unpaid carers in the United Kingdom. &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt; In total, 462 papers were screened, 58 underwent full text review and 13 studies were retained in the final set. All studies explored the experience of bereaved family and/or unpaid carers and only one study interviewed a dying person. Where specified, the majority of experiences related to deaths from cancer, many with specialist palliative care team involvement. Included papers yielded a breadth of diverse findings, with the most common subject themes relating to the availability and quality of care and support for families and carers. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt; There is limited published evidence exploring lived experiences of end-of-life care at home and this constrains the extent to which community services can be evidence-informed in their design and delivery. More research is needed to examine the first-hand experiences of people who are dying at home, particularly for those with non-cancer conditions and where specialist services are not involved.

Proposal of innovative smart solutions for retail store in order to support competitiveness and sustainable development

The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming an increasingly important concept in various areas of our daily lives. With the development of information and communication technologies, the possibilities of IoT implementation are also expanding. The retail sector is also starting to make more significant use of IoT to improve and increase the efficiency of its business processes and more effective interaction with customers. Even though several partial IoT solutions have been implemented in retail, according to publicly available sources, there is no comprehensive IoT implementation in this sector. Therefore, we focused on the possibilities of creating a comprehensive proposal for the use of IoT in a retail enterprise in Slovakia. The main reasons for this transformation are the development of intelligent technologies, the increased demand of consumers for more convenient purchases and the efficiency of business processes, as well as to increase the competitiveness of the company. The aim of the contribution is to create a proposal for the implementation of IoT in retail, which will contribute to the sustainable development and competitiveness of the company. The result of the contribution is the creation of a proposal for the integration of the Internet of Things in retail, while the proposal is also applicable in other similar enterprises. The research methodology includes secondary sources and primary inquiry using an online questionnaire. The results of the primary research showed that a large part of respondents are interested in using IoT solutions in retail and that the implementation of these solutions affects their purchasing behavior. The conclusions of the paper indicate that the implementation of IoT solutions in retail would have a positive impact on the competitiveness of businesses. Factors that influence the choice of brick-and-mortar and online stores by customers were also identified. Customers’ interest in IoT solutions, as well as their preferences when choosing stores, represent a guideline for businesses operating in the retail sector. The implementation of the proposed solutions is relatively demanding on financial resources, therefore a good financial condition of the company is a necessary condition. Further research should focus on the security risks, barriers, ethical privacy issues associated with the use of IoT in retail stores.

Impact of Hill Fires on Dissolved Organic Matter in Watersheds of Karst Areas Based on Three-Dimensional Fluorescence-Parallel Factor Analysis

Hill fires have the potential to influence dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water bodies, yet fewer studies have investigated the effects of hill fires on DOM within watersheds in karst areas. In this study, we employed the three-dimensional fluorescence-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) method to analyze the DOM fluorescence peaks, component compositions, fluorescence indices, and sources within the water body of the Yuanteng River sub-basin, which was impacted by the hill fire, serving as our primary research focus. The results indicate the presence of three primary fluorescent fractions in the water body of the Yuanteng River: C1, resembling humic acid (fulvic acid); C2, consisting of biopolymers and microbial by-products; and C3, containing proteins such as tyrosine and tryptophan. The Yuanteng River exhibited elevated levels of humus-like substances, diminished concentrations of protein-like substances, and demonstrated higher biogenic, freshness, and humification indices compared to unaffected water samples, reflecting the impact of the hill fire. Elevated levels of exogenous humic acid-like inputs into the waters of the Yuanteng River, along with exogenous inputs of DOM, were primarily influenced by stable, high-molecular-weight organic matter. Additionally, agricultural effluent, domestic sewage, and anthropogenic activities contributed to these inputs to a lesser degree. The impacts of endogenous inputs are mainly related to the restoration of ecosystems. The occurrence of hill fires has significantly influenced the composition of dissolved organic matter in the waters of the Yuanteng River. A comprehensive analysis of the impacts of hill fires on dissolved organic matter in water bodies can serve as a valuable reference for characterizing DOM in the water bodies of the Yuanteng River. Furthermore, it can inform strategies for environmental protection, facilitate the traceability of pollutants in water bodies, and contribute to environmental and ecological restoration efforts following hill fires in the region.

Global trends in Cryptococcus and its interactions with the host immune system: a bibliometric analysis

ObjectivesThis manuscript undertakes a systematic examination of the research landscape concerning global Cryptococcus species and their dynamism with the host immune system spanning the past decade. It furnishes a detailed survey of leading knowledge institutions and critical focal points in this area, utilizing bibliometric analysis.MethodsVOSviewer and CiteSpace software platforms were employed to systematically analyze and graphically depict the relevant literature indexed in the WoSCC database over the preceding ten years.ResultsIn the interval between October 1, 2013, and October 1, 2023, a corpus of 795 publications was amassed. The primary research institutions involved in this study include Duke University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Sydney. The leading trio of nations, in terms of publication volume, comprises the United States, China, and Brazil. Among the most prolific authors are Casadevall, Arturo; Wormley, Floyd L., Jr.; and Olszewski, Michal A., with the most highly cited author being Perfect, Jr. The most esteemed journal is Mbio, while Infection and Immunity commands the highest citation frequency, and the Journal of Clinical Microbiology boasts the most significant impact factor. Present research foci encompass the intricate interactions between Cryptococcus pathogenesis and host immunity, alongside immune mechanisms, complications, and immunotherapies.ConclusionThis represents the first exhaustive scholarly review and bibliometric scrutiny of the evolving landscapes in Cryptococcus research and its interactions with the host immune system. The analyses delineated herein provide insights into prevailing research foci and trajectories, thus furnishing critical directions for subsequent inquiries in this domain.

Engaging communities as partners in health crisis response: a realist-informed scoping review for research and policy

BackgroundHealth is increasingly affected by multiple types of crises. Community engagement is recognised as being a critical element in successful crisis response, and a number of conceptual frameworks and global guideline documents have been produced. However, little is known about the usefulness of such documents and whether they contain sufficient information to guide effective community engagement in crisis response. We undertake a scoping review to examine the usefulness of conceptual literature and official guidelines on community engagement in crisis response using a realist-informed analysis [exploring contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes(CMOs)]. Specifically, we assess the extent to which sufficient detail is provided on specific health crisis contexts, the range of mechanisms (actions) that are developed and employed to engage communities in crisis response and the outcomes achieved. We also consider the extent of analysis of interactions between the mechanisms and contexts which can explain whether successful outcomes are achieved or not.Scope and findingsWe retained 30 documents from a total of 10,780 initially identified. Our analysis found that available evidence on context, mechanism and outcomes on community engagement in crisis response, or some of their elements, was promising, but few documents provided details on all three and even fewer were able to show evidence of the interactions between these categories, thus leaving gaps in understanding how to successfully engage communities in crisis response to secure impactful outcomes. There is evidence that involving community members in all the steps of response increases community resilience and helps to build trust. Consistent communication with the communities in time of crisis is the key for effective responses and helps to improve health indicators by avoiding preventable deaths.ConclusionsOur analysis confirms the complexity of successful community engagement and the need for strategies that help to deal with this complexity to achieve good health outcomes. Further primary research is needed to answer questions of how and why specific mechanisms, in particular contexts, can lead to positive outcomes, including what works and what does not work and how to measure these processes.

Bruxism in Children

Background: Bruxism can occur in children living or residing in slums areas, rural areas, remote and urban communities. The prevalence of bruxism among children varies in the literature. Bruxism is associated with sound during teeth clenching or involuntary teeth grinding, and this can disturb parents, guardian and family members. It can be diagnosed with clinical history, clinical examinationand use of electromyography and polysomnography. Method: An electronic literature search in science direct and goggle was done in December 2023 using the Population, Concept and Context framework. Search terms and keywords were combined by Boolean operators. Two independent investigators screened titles and abstracts of publications on bruxism among children. Original (primary) research articles with accessible full text were included for review, while review articles, systematic reviews, thesis, dissertations and perspectives related to bruxism among children were among articles excluded during screening. Original (primary) research articles related to voluntary tooth clenching,other oral habits and bruxism/tooth grinding among children with special health care needs were also excludedduring screening. Results: Abstract and full texts were screened using inclusion criteria by two independent investigators. The identified study was carried out in Egypt, Ugandaand South Africa respectively. Conclusion: Bruxism can occur among children.Itcan affect the quality of life of childrenwith tooth sensitivity, tooth attrition with wear facets, and psychological concerns.More studies from diverse ethnic population and countriesin Africa countries will fill the gaps in knowledge and add to the existing literature. J Rang Med Col. March 2024; Vol. 9, No. 1: 82-85