Original Research Publications Research Articles

A Scoping Review of the Predictive Qualities of Walking Speed in Older Adults.

Walking speed (WS) is an easily assessable and interpretable functional outcome measure with great utility for the physical therapist providing care to older adults. Since WS was proposed as the sixth vital sign, research into its interpretation and use has flourished. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify the current prognostic value of WS for the older adult. A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus to find relevant articles highlighting the predictive capabilities of WS for older adults. Titles and abstracts were reviewed to identify relevant articles. Articles were excluded based on the following criteria: sample included both younger and older adults without separate analyses, sample was focused on a particular disease, if the study was published before 2017, or if the study did not report relevant cut points for interpretation of WS. The search returned 1064 results. Following removal of articles not meeting inclusion criteria and critical appraisal, relevant cut points were extracted from 47 original research publications. A preliminary review of the included articles showed that WS is a valuable prognostic tool across many health domains, including mental health, mortality, disability, pain, bone and joint health, falls, cognition, physical activity, metabolic health, risk for cardiovascular disease, socialization, and metabolic health. The fastest WS of 1.32 meters per second (m/s) served as a cutoff for decreased risk for incident development of type 2 diabetes, while the slowest WS of less than 0.2 m/s was associated with increased duration of hospitalization. Multiple studies reported on the prognostic value of WS slower than 1.0 m/s. Although the reported range of predictive WS values was broad, multiple studies found WS of approximately 1.0 m/s to be a useful marker for delineating risk or decline across a variety of health domains. Clinicians may find it useful to use a WS slower than 1.0 m/s as a "yellow flag" to guide evaluation and intervention for their older adult clients.

Prostaglandins suppress neutrophil function after sexual intercourse and may promote urinary tract infections

Sexually active women have an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which may be influenced by components in seminal plasma. Prostaglandins in seminal plasma are key modulators of the immune system and maternal-fetal immunological tolerance, influencing cells like platelets and neutrophils. Specifically, prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) inhibits platelet aggregation, while prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) alters neutrophil activity, including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Given that the NET response is associated with UTIs, and PGI2 is known to modulate NETs, these interactions may contribute to the higher incidence of UTIs in sexual activity in women. This study aims to investigate whether UTIs following sexual activity are facilitated by an imbalance in NET formation mediated by prostaglandins. We employed four search strategies: Sex and UTI, NETs and UTIs, Prostaglandins and NETs, and Inflammasome and NETs, alongside a review of original research publications. By understanding this mechanism, we hope to reveal how prostaglandin-mediated immune modulation may increase susceptibility to UTIs after sexual activity.

The critical importance of recognition, evaluation, and management of mental health on outcomes following hip arthroscopy – A synthetic narrative review: Current concepts

Mental health and wellness influence patients with hip pain and dysfunction secondary to Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome, acetabular dysplasia, and labral injury. Disorders of mental wellness may impact hip preservation surgery patients both before and after surgery. Major depression and generalized anxiety are the two most common diagnoses that affect hip preservation surgery patients. There are dozens of unique questionnaires that can subjectively and objectively characterize the mental health of patients with hip pain. Pain threshold and pain tolerance are two issues that must be recognized to optimally predict treatment outcome in an informed consent shared decision-making discussion. Patient expectations may also significantly influence preoperative symptoms and postoperative outcome. Pain threshold, pain tolerance, and patient expectations are entities traditionally viewed as qualitative and unmeasurable. However, many valid and reliable methods exist to quantitatively assess these patient-specific variables. Recent original research and synthetic review publications have consistently concluded similar findings: patients with disorders of mental wellness generally have lower preoperative patient-reported outcome scores, do improve following surgery, albeit to a lesser magnitude than non-mental disorder patients, and ultimately have lower postoperative scores at their final follow. As with most Orthopedic Surgery literature, the investigation of mental health and hip preservation is primarily via retrospective level four evidence with small numbers of patients from a single-center and single-surgeon at short-term follow-up. Although hip preservation surgeons are Orthopedic Surgeons by training and practice, they must be able to recognize mental wellness disorders and either treat or refer when suspected or identified.

Healthcare-associated infections in long-term care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of point prevalence studies

ObjectivesResidents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are especially vulnerable to acquiring healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Our systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the burden of HAIs, identified the most frequent HAIs and...

Bibliometric and visualized analysis of type 2 diabetic osteoporosis from 2013 to 2022

Bibliometric and visualized analysis of type 2 diabetic osteoporosis from 2013 to 2022

Wood ash application for crop production, amelioration of soil acidity and contaminated environments

Agriculture is vital to human life and economic development even though it may have a detrimental influence on soil quality. Agricultural activities can deteriorate the soil quality, endangers the ecosystem health and functioning, food safety, and human health. To resolve the problem of soil degradation, alternative soil conditioners such as wood ash are being explored for their potential to improve soil-plant systems. This study provides an overview of the production, properties, and effects of wood ash on soil properties, crop productivity, and environmental remediation. A comprehensive search of relevant databases was conducted in order to locate and assess original research publications on the use of wood ash in agricultural and environmental management. According to the findings, wood ash, a byproduct of burning wood, may improve the structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient availability, and buffering capacity of soil as well as other physico-chemical, and biological attributes of soil. Wood ash has also been shown to increase agricultural crop yields and help with the remediation of polluted regions. Wood ash treatment, however, has been linked to several adverse effects, such as increased trace element concentrations and altered microbial activity. The examination found that wood ash could be a promising material to be used as soil conditioner and an alternative supply of nutrients for agricultural soils, while, wood ash contributes to soil improvement and environmental remediation, highlighting its potential as a sustainable solution for addressing soil degradation and promoting environmental sustainability in agricultural systems.

Using mobile technologies in distance learning: A Scoping Review

The technical capabilities of mobile devices today make it possible to use them in the educational process. High-speed Internet and the capabilities of mobile applications allow students to have access to the necessary information at a convenient time for them. The purpose of the systematic review was the analysis and synthesis of publications on the topic of using mobile learning. In the course of the work, 34 publications of original research were analyzed, which were selected according to the requirements for narrative reviews. The search for sources for the review was carried out on the Scopus and Web of Science platforms, and specific keywords were used: mobile learning, "m-learning", "higher education", "on-site learning". For review, we selected only articles from 2019-2024. In this way, we got acquainted with the issues of introducing mobile learning into the educational process today. According to the results: the issue of the impact of mobile learning was studied by scientists most often and accounted for 43% of the studied literature sources. The issue of students' perception of mobile learning in the publications we studied accounted for 23%, in 19% the goals that were set during the implementation of mobile learning were studied. In 10.5%, experts determined the factors that affect the success of mobile learning, and 5% of the publications contained information about the devices that are used when using mobile educational applications. To systematize the studied literature, we used the program PRISMA Conclusions. The use of mobile learning improves academic success, reduces anxiety and cognitive load, improves motivation and satisfaction with learning.

Medical Home Care and Educational Services for Children and Youth on the Autism Spectrum: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review examined current evidence on medical home care and its association with educational services for children and youth on the autism spectrum. We searched five databases and grey literature resulting in 328 publications. Publications meeting inclusion criteria were mapped to medical home care component(s) addressed, type(s) of educational services and their strength and type of association. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use was used to summarize predisposing, enabling, and need factors considered. Eighteen publications were reviewed, including eight practice/policy reports and ten original research publications. Medical home care components most addressed included family-centered care (n = 10), referrals (n = 16), and effective care coordination (n = 13). Seven publications also addressed multiple educational service types. Two of the five publications that established a significant association between medical home care components and educational services had mixed results, with one publication reporting a negative association and the other publication reporting a positive association. Challenges to medical home care and educational services were most categorized as enabling factors. Results suggest three areas for further investigation: (1) limited evidence on the strength and type of association between medical home care components and educational services; (2) limited use of population data sources; and (3) the need to consider a broader range of factors when examining their association.

The Science of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) for Developing Immunity and Healthy Digestive System in Newborn Infants Throughout Life

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are the third most significant solid component in human milk, working in conjunction with other bioactive components. Numerous factors, including secretor status, race, geography, climate, season, maternal nutrition and weight, gestational age, and delivery method, significantly affect the individual HMO levels and distribution among mothers. In addition to strengthening the epithelial barrier, producing immunomodulatory metabolites, and promoting a gut microbiota rich in Bifidobacterium, HMO also help to enhance the gastrointestinal barrier. HMO perform a range of physiological roles, such as possible immune system support, brain growth, and cognitive function. HMO supplementation to infant formula is safe and supports the newborn's healthy growth, with benefits for infection prevention and the makeup of the microbiota. Through a thorough and methodical evaluation of relevant literature, this study investigated the complex interactions between gut microbiota, the immune system, and HMO in neonates. A sizable corpus of recently released original research publications and thorough review papers were examined in the review. SCOPUS, PubMed, and Google Scholar were reliable and strong sources of information. In addition to these, a few more trustworthy sources were consulted. By reading this article, readers will have a clear understanding of how HMO play a crucial role in influencing the dynamics of the gut microbiota and supporting the development of the immune system in newborns. The knowledge gained from these exchanges may help direct measures meant to improve the health of newborns. However, further investigation is necessary to identify certain underlying processes and possible treatment paths. It is unknown if HMO provide an extra clinical advantage over non-human oligosaccharides due to a lack of research comparing the effects of the two. Better study of the variables controlling HMO composition and their functions will assist to comprehend their short- and long-term advantages for Immunity and Healthy Digestive System in Newborn Infants Throughout Life.

A review of renal tubular acidosis.

To review the current scientific literature on renal tubular acidosis (RTA) in people and small animals, focusing on diseases in veterinary medicine that result in secondary RTA. Scientific reviews and original research publications on people and small animals focusing on RTA. RTA is characterized by defective renal acid-base regulation that results in normal anion gap hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Renal acid-base regulation includes the reabsorption and regeneration of bicarbonate in the renal proximal tubule and collecting ducts and the process of ammoniagenesis. RTA occurs as a primary genetic disorder or secondary to disease conditions. Based on pathophysiology, RTA is classified as distal or type 1 RTA, proximal or type 2 RTA, type 3 RTA or carbonic anhydrase II mutation, and type 4 or hyperkalemic RTA. Fanconi syndrome comprises proximal RTA with additional defects in proximal tubular function. Extensive research elucidating the genetic basis of RTA in people exists. RTA is a genetic disorder in the Basenji breed of dogs, where the mutation is known. Secondary RTA in human and veterinary medicine is the sequela of diseases that include immune-mediated, toxic, and infectious causes. Diagnosis and characterization of RTA include the measurement of urine pH and the evaluation of renal handling of substances that should affect acid or bicarbonate excretion. Commonality exists between human and veterinary medicine among the types of RTA. Many genetic defects causing primary RTA are identified in people, but those in companion animals other than in the Basenji are unknown. Critically ill veterinary patients are often admitted to the ICU for diseases associated with secondary RTA, or they may develop RTA while hospitalized. Recognition and treatment of RTA may reverse tubular dysfunction and promote recovery by correcting metabolic acidosis.

A compendium of evidence-based practice instruments for nursing education, practice and research.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a cornerstone for safe, high-quality care. Implementation science recognizes that many factors influence the successful use of EBP, from attitudes and beliefs, self-efficacy, and knowledge and skills to contextual factors related to unit and organizational culture. This integrative review aimed to identify valid and reliable instruments measuring critical EBP domains with nursing professionals. A systematic search of the literature was conducted. CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Joanna Briggs were searched to identify original research publications testing the reliability and validity of EBP nursing instruments. Of 347 records, 48 studies representing 50 instruments were identified as having undergone psychometric testing, thus meeting the inclusion criteria. Most instruments were validated in English-speaking countries. Content validity, construct validity, and internal consistency standards were met for 70%, 62%, and 94% of instruments, respectively. Limited testing was found for other types of validity, test-retest reliability, acceptability, feasibility, or responsivity and sensitivity, thus representing gaps in psychometric validation. Less than 20% of instruments have been translated to other languages limiting their use to advance EBP worldwide. Eighty-two percent of instruments met minimal psychometric standards and are sound for education, practice, and research. Expanding psychometric testing and utilizing validated EBP instruments will further the EBP movement to improve global population health.

Attentional focus strategies in racket sports: A systematic review.

The body of evidence has shown that the external focus of attention (EF) rather than the internal focus of attention (IF) enhances motor skill learning and performance. Within racket sports which require a high level of motor control, anticipation skills, and mental preparedness, effectively directing attention is essential to elicit improvements in athletic performance. The present review aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence concerning the effects of attentional focus instructions on motor learning and performance in racket sports. We systematically reviewed the literature according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The study was registered with the Open Science Framework (osf.io/m4zat). Four electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus) were searched for original research publications. Inclusion criteria were: peer-reviewed journals; healthy and free from injury participants; attentional focus literature specific to the external or internal focus; attentional focus related to motor learning or motor performance; studies included at least one comparator (e.g., different attentional focus group, or control groups with neutral or no specific instruction); publications in which task(s) or skill(s) related to one of the racket sports (tennis, table tennis, badminton, squash, or padel). The initial search yielded 2005 studies. Finally, 9 studies were included in the quantitative analysis. Overall, the results indicated that EF benefits the learning and performance of racket sport skills, compared to IF and over control conditions. The findings suggest that coaches and practitioners should consider the adoption of EF to optimize racket skills performance, particularly in novice or low-skilled athletes.

PUBLISHING IN AGEING & SOCIETY: TOP 10 TIPS FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Abstract With 43 volumes to its name (and coming out with 12 issues a year), Ageing & Society is an interdisciplinary and international journal devoted to advancing the understanding of ageing, and the circumstances of older people, in their socio-economic and cultural contexts. Committed to publishing original and high-quality research papers that substantially contribute to ongoing debates in social gerontology, this journal welcomes submissions that use different theoretical and methodological approaches as long as they aim to advance research, policy and practice and encourage the exchange of ideas across the broad audience of multidisciplinary academics and practitioners working in the field of ageing. By bringing specific attention to what Ageing & Society looks for in the hundreds of submissions that are sent to the journal, and the routines that the team of associate editors utilize, this presentation aims to give attendees valuable insights into how to write a paper if they wish to submit it to this journal.

Two Years of PhysChem: Current Status and Future Developments

Two years ago, PhysChem was launched as a new physical chemistry journal publishing original research articles, reviews and perspectives, and communications focusing on physics-based description of chemical phenomena and their applications [...]

Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models for Predicting the Onset of Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Diabetes currently one of the most significant worldwide concerns, and its prevalence is only expected to increase in the future years. In order to monitor glucose levels in the blood and set treatment protocols for diabetes, keeping a regular schedule for checking blood glucose levels is essential. The purpose of widespread adoption of digital health in recent years has been to enhance diabetic healthcare for patients, and as a result, a massive quantity of data has been collected that may be used in the ongoing management of this chronic condition. Deep learning, a relatively new kind of machine learning, is one method that has taken advantage of this trend, and its applications seem promising. In this research, we provide a thorough analysis of how deep learning has been used in the study of diabetes thus far. We conducted a comprehensive literature search and found that this method is most often used in the following settings: diabetes diagnosis, glucose control, and the identification of diabetes-related complications. We have described the most important details regarding the learning models used, the development process, the primary outcomes, and the baseline techniques for performance assessment from the 40 original research publications that we selected based on the search. In the reviewed literature, it becomes clear that several deep learning algorithms and frameworks have outperformed traditional machine learning methods to attain state-of-the-art performance on numerous problems involving diabetes. However, we point out several gaps in the existing literature, such as a dearth of readily available data and a lack of clarity in the interpretation of models. In the near future, these obstacles may be surmounted thanks to the fast advancements in deep learning methodologies which will allow for wider application of this technology in therapeutic settings.

The landscape of current research on pediatric diffuse midline glioma: a quantitative analysis of shifts, leaders, and future avenues.

Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) has seen a surge of research interest in recent years with the growth in knowledge of new avenues for potential treatments. However, no bibliometric review of the field has been conducted to visualize the current state of the field. Here, we use bibliometric mapping to visualize the knowledge structure, collaborations, and trends in the field. A total of 1079 original and review articles from 1996 to 2023 on diffuse midline glioma were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection on June 3, 2023. These files were analyzed with R and VOSviewer to construct bibliometric visualizations. Research interest in DMG has continued to grow, driven by publications of original research. Molecular characterization of DMG has been a key focus of recent literature, and terms relating to novel small molecules, mutations, immunotherapy, the blood-brain barrier, and liquid biopsy may be areas for future growth in the literature. Collaborating nations have generally been the North American and European nations, but other nations have begun to make their mark in the field. Leading and rising institutions and journals are described. Research in DMG may continue to focus on molecular characterization and new therapeutics based on this knowledge. Novel collaborations between rising nations and institutions in the field may aid in accelerating this research.

Analysis of the Research Hotspot of Exosomes in Cardiovascular Disease: A Bibliometric-based Literature Review.

To investigate the current status and development trend of research on exosomes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) using bibliometric analysis and to elucidate trending research topics. Research articles on exosomes in CVD published up to April 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Data were organized using Microsoft Office Excel 2019. CiteSpace 6.1 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 were used for bibliometric analysis and result visualization. Overall, 256 original research publications containing 190 fundamental research publications and 66 clinical research publications were included. "Extracellular vesicle" was the most frequent research keyword, followed by "microrna," "apoptosis," and "angiogenesis." Most publications were from China (187, 73.05%), followed by the United States (57, 22.27%), the United Kingdom (7, 2.73%), and Japan (7, 2.73%). A systematic review of the publications revealed that myocardial infarction and stroke were the most popular topics and that exosomes and their contents, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), play positive roles in neuroprotection, inhibition of autophagy and apoptosis, promotion of angiogenesis, and protection of cardiomyocytes. Research on exosomes in CVD has attracted considerable attention, with China having the most published studies. Fundamental research has focused on CVD pathogenesis; exosomes regulate the progression of CVD through biological processes, such as the inflammatory response, autophagy, and apoptosis. Clinical research has focused on biomarkers for CVD; studies on using miRNAs in exosomes as disease markers for diagnosis could become a future trend.

An Investigation of Gender Representation and Collaboration in Academic Plastic Surgery Research

Background: Gender disparities in academic leadership positions may be influenced by several factors, including research productivity. We aimed to describe the publication gender gap in major plastic surgery journals, assess gender-related and gender-neutral research publications, and identify any potential gender disparities associated with publication characteristics. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we reviewed all original research publications in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, and Aesthetic Surgery Journal from 2014 through 2018. Genderize.io was used to identify the gender of all authors. Each publication was classified as either gender-neutral, transgender health, women’s health, or men’s health-related based on the article's content. Results: Of the 12,718 authors across 2234 publications analysed, females were first authors in 30%, last authors in 17%, and all authors in 27%. Among the publications, 1782 (79.8%) were focused on gender-neutral, 419 (18.8%) on women's health, 18 (0.8%) on transgender health, and 15 (0.7%) on men's health. Male first authors were more likely to be associated with women's and transgender health articles (OR [95% CI] = 1.4 [1.1-1.8] and OR [95% CI] = 51.0 [47-55], p < .001) and had a higher mean number of citations compared to gender-neutral articles ( p < .001). Male first authors were more likely to be associated with women's and transgender health articles (OR [95% CI] = 1.4 [1.1–1.8] and OR [95% CI] = 51.0 [47–55], p < .001) and had a higher mean number of citations compared to gender-neutral articles ( p < .001). Conclusion: The publication gender gap persists in academic plastic surgery. The academic community should continue to prioritize addressing gender disparity from the perspective of research productivity.

Virtual medical research mentoring.

Medical research is important for professional advancement, and mentoring is a key means by which students and early-career doctors can engage in research. Contrasting international research collaborations, research mentoring programmes are often geographically limited. As the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased use of online technology for classes and conferences, a virtual, international approach to medical research mentoring may be valuable. We hereby describe our experience at the Cardiovascular Analytics Group, a virtual international medical research mentoring group established in 2015. We make use of virtual platforms in multi-level mentoring with peer mentoring and emphasise active participation, early leadership, an open culture, accessible research support and a distributed research workflow. With 63 active members from 14 different countries, the Group has been successful in training medical students and early-career medical graduates in academic medicine. Our members have led over 100 peer-reviewed publications of original research and reviews since 2015, winning 13 research prizes during this time. Our accessible-distributed model of virtual international medical research collaboration and multi-level mentoring is viable and efficient and caters to the needs of contemporary healthcare. Others should consider building similar models to improve medical research mentoring globally.

Editorial introductions.

Editorial introductions.