Registration Status Research Articles

Psychometric properties of the situational procrastination scale of medical undergraduates: factor structure, reliability, and validity

IntroductionProcrastination is very common among college students, but there is a lack of consistency in the relationship between procrastination and academic achievement, which might be partly caused by the limitations of previous procrastination scales. The current study constructed the Situational Procrastination Scale (SPS) with two subscales, the Academic Situational Procrastination Scale (ASPS) and the Daily Life Situational Procrastination Scale (DSPS), by adapting previous procrastination scales.MethodThe valid sample for data analysis included 2,094 medical undergraduates. After testing item discrimination, we conducted exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance to examine the factor structures. Reliability (i.e., internal and test-retest reliability) and validity (i.e., concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity) of the SPS were verified subsequently.ResultsThe ASPS included near lateness, lateness, procrastination on academic tasks before deadlines, and procrastination on academic tasks beyond deadlines, and measurement invariance across gender, household registration, and family financial status was found. The DSPS included procrastination on going out, consumption, routines, and communication, and had measurement invariance across grade, household registration, and family financial status. The results demonstrated adequate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Situational procrastination positively correlated with trait procrastination at a moderate or low level and negatively correlated with self-efficacy. Only procrastination on academic tasks before and beyond deadlines negatively predicted academic achievement.DiscussionThe SPS could measure procrastination accurately and clarify the nexus between procrastination and academic achievement, which has implications for improving the academic warning system.

Harm effects in non-registered versus registered randomized controlled trials of medications: a retrospective cohort study of clinical trials

BackgroundTrial registration aims to address potential bias from selective or non-reporting of findings, and therefore has a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability of clinical research. In this study, we aim to investigate the influence of trial registration on estimated harm effects in randomized controlled trials of medication interventions.MethodsWe searched PubMed for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized trials on medication harms indexed between January 1, 2015, and January 1, 2020. To be included in the analyses, eligible meta-analyses should have at least five randomized trials with distinct registration statuses (i.e., prospectively registered, retrospectively registered, and non-registered) and 2 by 2 table data for adverse events for each trial. To control for potential confounding, trials in each meta-analysis were analyzed within confounder-harmonized groups (e.g., dosage) identified using the Directed Acyclic Graph method. The harm estimates arising from the trials with different registration statuses were compared within the confounder-harmonized groups using hierarchical linear regression. Results are shown as ratio of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe dataset consists of 629 meta-analyses of harms with 10,069 trials. Of these trials, 74.3% were registered, and 23.9% were not registered, and for those registered, 70.6% were prospectively registered, while 26.3% were retrospectively registered. In comparison to prospectively registered trials, both non-registered trials (ratio of OR = 0.82, 95%CI 0.68 to 0.98, P = 0.03) and retrospectively registered trials (ratio of OR = 0.75, 95%CI 0.66 to 0.86, P < 0.01) had lower OR for harms based on 69 and 126 confounders-harmonized groups. The OR of harms did not differ between retrospectively registered and non-registered trials (ratio of OR = 1.02, 95%CI 0.85 to 1.23, P = 0.83) based on 76 confounders-harmonized groups.ConclusionsMedication-related harms may be understated in non-registered trials, and there was no obvious evidence that retrospective registration had a demonstrable benefit in reducing such selective or absent reporting. Prospective registration is highly recommended for future trials.

Reconsidering Public Attitudes Toward Deceased Organ Donation Registration.

Background: The aim of the current study is to understand Americans' attitudes toward deceased organ donation and to assess their level of acceptance on positions toward organ donation. Methods: In summer and winter of 2023, 2 national samples completed measures of attitudes toward donation, reported their registration status, rated positions related to donation, and provided demographic information. Results: Data from 2 samples indicated registration estimates between 50% and 57% and a significant proportion of those unregistered reported reluctance to register. The believability of national registry estimates and ratings of acceptability of 9 organ donation positions differed by registration status. Conclusion: Mass media and motor vehicles interventions seeking to increase registration rates should take into consideration individual attitudes and support toward donation may not be as strong as once thought.

Many randomized trials in a large systematic review were not registered and had evidence of selective outcome reporting: a meta-epidemiological study

ObjectivesThe primary objectives were to describe characteristics of trial registration in the chronic low back pain (CLBP) field and assess the association of trial registration status (registered vs. unregistered, prospectively registered vs. retrospectively registered) with risk of bias, sufficient sample size, quality of reporting, and treatment effect estimates. Secondary objectives were to describe trial registration consistency with the final report and assess its association with risk of bias, sufficient sample size, and treatment effect estimates. Study design and settingA cross-sectional meta-epidemiological study of trials included in a large Cochrane review on exercise treatments for CLBP. We extracted relevant trial and registration information and assessed trials’ risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 1 tool. We performed descriptive analyses, logistic regressions, and subgroup meta-analyses. ResultsWe included 361 trials, of which 23.3% were prospectively registered. Registered trials had lower risk of bias (OR 0.6; 95%CI 0.5, 0.7) and higher reporting quality (OR 1.6; 95%CI 1.4, 1.8) than unregistered trials. Prospectively registered trials were more likely to have low risk of reporting bias (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.2, 6.5) and higher quality of reporting (OR 1.3; 95%CI 1.1, 1.6) than retrospectively registered trials. Trial registration status was not associated with effect estimates. Among prospectively registered trials, 64.3% clearly defined primary outcome(s) in their registration, 58.3% had consistent sample sizes, and 22.6% had no evidence of selective outcome reporting. Trials that clearly defined primary outcome(s) were more likely to report larger effect estimates for pain intensity (MD -15.8; 95%CI -22.7, -8.9 versus -6.0; 95%CI -10.6, -1.5; Q=6.7, p=0.01), although the difference was small, the 95%CIs overlapped, and no difference was found for functional limitations. ConclusionA small proportion of trials in the CLBP field were registered prospectively and many presented registration inconsistencies. Registered trials tend to have lower risk of bias and higher quality of reporting. Policies are needed to improve prospective registration and registration consistency in the field.

Internship Information System at PT Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia Samarinda Branch

The rapid development of information technology has led almost all companies and certain sectors to desire that all processes in their offices become fast and practical, including the internship application and registration process. PT Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia, Samarinda Branch, is a company that utilizes information technology; however, there are still aspects of information technology use that are not yet effective and efficient. One such aspect is the student internship registration, which is still done by registering directly at the company. This process is quite time-consuming and has many weaknesses. These weaknesses include long processing times and inadequate accuracy, such as incomplete or lost documents upon receipt, which can disadvantage applicants. As a result, this registration system poses difficulties for prospective interns outside the area. Therefore, the purpose of designing and developing a web-based internship information system at PT Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia Samarinda Branch is to simplify the internship registration process and assist the admin in verifying registration status, managing certificate data, and making it easier for applicants to fill out the registration form, view registration results, and check registration status through the website. The system development method used in this research is the waterfall model. To implement this internship registration information system, supporting components must function properly. These components use the Laravel framework and MySQL database. The results of this research, based on black box testing and respondent questionnaires, indicate that all features of this web-based internship information system can be used effectively and function as intended, thereby helping users manage internship registration.

Racial Equity in Family Approach for Patients Medically Suitable for Deceased Organ Donation.

To conduct a contemporary analysis of the association between family approach of medically suitable potential organ donors and race/ethnicity. Retrospective review of data collected prospectively by Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs). Ten OPOs representing eight regions of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and 26% of all deceased donor organs recovered in the United States. All hospitalized patients on mechanical ventilation and referred to OPOs as potential donors from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. None. OPOs provided data on referral year, race, sex, donor registration status, screening determination, donation medical suitability, donation type (brain death, circulatory death), and family approach. We evaluated factors associated with family approach to discuss donation using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic models. Of 255,429 total cases, 138,622 (54%) were screened-in for further evaluation, with variation by race/ethnicity (50% White, 60% Black, 69% Hispanic, and 60% Asian). Among those screened-in, 31,253 (23%) were medically suitable for donation, with modest variation by race/ethnicity (22% White, 26% Black, 23% Hispanic, and 21% Asian). Family approach rate by OPOs of medically suitable cases was 94% (n = 29,315), which did not vary by race/ethnicity (94% White, 93% Black, 95% Hispanic, and 95% Asian). Family approach by OPOs was lower for circulatory death (95%) vs. brain death (97%) cases but showed minimal differences in approach rate based on race/ethnicity between medically suitable patients with different death pathways. In contrast, donor registration status of medically suitable potential donors was highly variable by race/ethnicity (37% overall; 45% White, 21% Black, 29% Hispanic, and 25% Asian). Multivariable models indicated no significant difference of family approach between White and Black (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 0.95-1.24) or Asian (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.95-1.60) patients. Findings indicate racial equity in OPO family approach rates among patients who were medically suitable for organ donation.

PSII-11 Temporal variables of the four-beat stepping gaits of the Mountain Pleasure Horse

Abstract The Mountain Pleasure Horse (MPH) is the oldest gaited horse breed in North America with genetic testing finding the breed is ancestral to all other American gaited horse breeds according to the MPH Association (MPHA). Further, the breed is classified as “threatened” according to the Livestock Conservancy with only 2,670 purebred MPHs living today. To expand numbers, the registration books for the MPHA were opened in 2009; however, 5 yr later the books were closed due to negative consequences including potential changes within the gait. Therefore, to ensure the preservation of the gait of the MPH, the objective of this study was to define the temporal variables of the four-beat stepping gaits of the purebred MPH. The six horses utilized for this study were MPHA registered with permanent registration status and were verified to be purebred using blood typing and pedigree tracing with pedigrees tracing back to the foundation sires on both sides of the pedigree as identified by the MPHA. Horses were ridden by their respective trainers at a flat walk and saddle rack following MPHA judging guidelines with those strides utilized for the study being selected by representatives of the breed association. A total of 10 strides for each horse (n = 60) for each gait were selected. Student’s paired t-tests were utilized to determine differences in temporal variables between gaits with P-value set at 0.05. Comparisons were also made within gaits using student’s paired t-test to determine differences between lateral and diagonal variables. Both gaits had a lateral footfall pattern that alternated between bipedal and tripedal support. The saddle rack was performed at a faster velocity than the walk with a longer stride length and shorter stride and stance durations (Table 1). Advanced placements and bipedal support were similar between gaits with lateral and diagonal variables similar within gaits (Flat Walk Lateral-Diagonal Comparisons: Advanced Placement; P = 0.31, Bipedal Support; P = 0.08; Saddle Rack Lateral-Diagonal Comparisons: Advanced Placement; P = 0.23, Bipedal Support; P = 0.11), thus, indicating the gaits had a regular rhythm with no couplets. These variables assist in distinguishing between the gaits of the MPH and between those performed by other gaited horse breeds.

Internal status borders: municipal registration between emancipation, exclusion and omission in Italy

ABSTRACT Registration promotes emancipation: by acquiring a legal individual identity, a person becomes a formal member of a community and obtains rights. However, registration also enables and reproduces hierarchies and subordinate inclusion, especially when it becomes a selective device. This article aims to highlight the ambiguous status of registration by focusing on municipal registration, a device that is analysed from a historical-theoretical perspective and by highlighting the case of European citizens. The aim is to show that municipal registration is part of a local border regime, as it promotes the internalisation of borders. By proposing a theoretical reflection and drawing on research already carried out on municipal registration, the article aims to reveal the ambiguities of registration as an internal border: in particular, how recognition, or conversely the lack of it, is used to exclude or “omit” people, thus preventing them from being fully autonomous in a legal and material sense.

Analysis of clinical study registration characteristics of traditional medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform

Objective: To analyze clinical trials of traditional medicine (including Chinese herbal medicine and nonpharmacological therapies) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) registered in the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), and accordingly to explore their clinical trial registration characteristics, development trend and intervention status, in an attempt to provide references for future research design, diagnosis and management of traditional Chinese medicine therapy for T2DM. Methods: The clinical trials related to Chinese herbal medicine and nonpharmacological therapies for treating T2DM were retrieved on the ICTRP online from the time of database construction to August 13, 2023, to analyze the time of registration, country and institution of the study, source of funding, type and design of the study, randomization and blinding methods, clinical staging, therapeutic measures, and main therapeutic effect indexes. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using R4.3.0 and Excel software. Results: A total of 774 clinical trials for T2DM treatment were included, of which 127 were traditional herbal therapies and 647 were nonpharmacological therapies. The T2DM clinical trial registration institutions were distributed in 50 countries worldwide involving 15 clinical registration platforms, with the most registrations in Iran, China, and Australia, and the top 3 registration platforms were the Iranian Clinical Trial Registry, the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, and the ICTRP. Universities (551, 71.19%) were the main funding sources. Intervention studies (750, 96.90%) were the primary study type, including randomized controlled trials (432, 56. 4%), and 225 studies mentioned the blinding method. A total of 530 (68.48%) with a sample size ≤100 were included. Study phases were predominantly phase 2 and phase 3 (108, 51.43%). The interventions of traditional medicine for T2DM were composed of Chinese herbal medicines (mainly ginseng and astragalus compound), nonpharmacological therapies (mainly exercise and diet therapies), and 2 or more comprehensive treatment regimes. According to the type of study design, the first 3 main therapeutic indexes were fasting blood glucose (286 times), glycated hemoglobin (282 times), and insulin resistance (120 times), and the top 3 secondary therapeutic indexes were body mass index (179 times), fasting blood glucose (175 times), and glycated hemoglobin (134 times). Conclusion: The study dissects the current status and trend of registration of clinical trials on traditional medicine for T2DM treatment. The number of trial registrations is on the rise year by year, and there are obvious geographical differences in the countries and platforms of registration. The trial design is mainly randomized controlled blind trials with a sample size of &lt;100, and the main interventions are nonpharmacological therapies. Correct and standardized registration of clinical trials and timely reporting of study results are greatly important to facilitate the implementation of clinical trials, reduce publication bias, provide high-level diagnostic and therapeutic bases for clinical practice guidelines, and develop effective treatment strategies. This study is expected to help other scholars, health care professionals, patients, and the public to understand the latest research trends and hotspots in this field and provide certain references and inspirations for the future research design and clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of T2DM.

Post-marketing quality surveillance of selected antibacterial agents marketed in porous borders; the case of Ethiopia-Sudan-Eritrea border.

The presence of poor-quality medicines is becoming a public health threat in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. Antibiotics are among the most common anti-infective medicines that are highly prone to this problem. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of selected antibacterials that are marketed in Setit Humera and West Gondar Zones, North West Ethiopia, which are located on the Ethiopian side of the Ethiopia-Sudan-Eritrea border. Seventy-one samples of the four antibacterial medicines (Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Amoxycillin, and Amoxycillin clavullanate combination) were collected from six sites in Setit Humera and West Gondar Zones, North West Ethiopia. A mystery shopping system was used for sample collection. Visual inspections and confirmation of the registration status were carried out using the joint WHO/FIP/USP checklist and the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority's (EFDA's) Electronic Regulatory Information System (eRIS), respectively. Then Pharmacopeial methods (USP, BP) were employed to assess the physicochemical quality parameters. During the period of our data collection, the application status for registration in the eRIS system was checked. From 71 samples, 25.35% (18/71) were not registered, and 15.49% (11/71) were registered, but the license period had expired. Some samples (12.06% (17/71)) did not meet the visual inspection criteria. The physicochemical evaluation showed that all the samples studied met the quality specifications for the identification and hardness tests. However, concerning assay, dissolution, uniformity of dosage units, disintegration, and friability test parameters, 27.49% (23/71), 16.9% (12/71), and 14.08% (10/71), 2.82% (2/71) and 8.57% (3/35) of samples were found to be substandard, respectively. Overall, 56.33% (40/71) of the samples tested were of poor quality, failing to meet any one or more of the assessed parameters in this study. The study indicated that poor-quality antibacterial medicines are circulating in the study sites. Therefore, even if the area was affected by conflict at the time of the study, the regulatory bodies should focus on enforcing the necessary measures by collaborating with the regional and national regulatory medicine agencies to ensure that the antibacterial medicines available meet the required mandatory minimum standards.

Self-Employment Transitions and Health Outcomes in Later Life: Evidence From China.

Self-employment is a vital alternative to waged employment for older workers. Recent research has shown that employment transitions frequently occur when individuals approach retirement. However, evidence of how older people's health changes when they switch between self and waged employment is lacking, particularly outside Western contexts. To address this research gap, we explored the health impact of employment transitions for the older working population in China by hukou (urban or rural household registration status), region, and education. We employed fixed effect models to examine the impact of employment transitions on cognitive, mental, and physical health and life satisfaction drawing on data from four waves (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 4,606). Given China's unique context, we analyzed the results of agricultural and nonagricultural work separately. Individuals transitioning into or remaining in self-employment had lower self-rated health and life satisfaction than those remaining in waged employment. There was no significant difference in cognitive functioning or depressive symptoms. Additionally, those who transitioned from self-employment into waged employment rated their health worse than those who remained in waged employment. The health impacts were more apparent for agricultural than nonagricultural self-employment, particularly for older workers living in urban regions with rural hukou and lower education levels. Most older Chinese transitioning into or staying self-employed are or were pushed into self-employment due to their low human capital and socioeconomic status, which affects their subsequent health. Pension reform and policies supporting older adults to stay in the workforce could help close the economic and health gaps between rural and urban older adults.

A Comparative Study of Fetal and Maternal Outcomes in Registered and Unregistered Antenatal Cases in a Tertiary Care Center.

Background Antenatal care plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal maternal and neonatal health outcomes. However, disparities in access to prenatal care persist, with a subset of pregnant women failing to register for antenatal care, referred to as "unbooked" or "unregistered" pregnancies. This study aims to investigate the impact of registration status on pregnancy outcomes, considering various demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors. Understanding the factors influencing registration status and its implications on maternal and fetal health outcomes is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve prenatal care access and enhance overall pregnancy outcomes. Objective To see the difference in obstetrical complications along with feto-maternal outcomes in both registered and unregistered antenatal cases and to determine the correlation of maternal and fetal outcomes with antenatal care. Materials and methods This two-year observational study at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College's Obstetrics and Gynecology IPD in Pimpri, Pune, examined maternal and fetal outcomes in registered and unregistered pregnancies. Consent was obtained, and patients were categorized as registered and unregistered based on the number of antenatal visits. This was an observational prospective cohort study. Data on socioeconomic factors like income and education were analyzed to assess their association with registration status. Maternal outcomes included preterm delivery and complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, oligohydramnios, premature rupture of membranes, anemia, and postpartum complications. Fetal outcomes included birth weight and NICU admissions. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression, were used to examine relationships between variables and registration status. Results This study analyzed 502 cases, comprising 251 registered and 251 unregistered pregnancies, to investigate the impact of antenatal registration on maternal and fetal outcomes. Significant associations were observed between socioeconomic factors, such as lower income and education levels in unregistered pregnancies.Specifically, 46 (18.3%) unregistered cases were in the lowest income bracket, while 103 (41.0%) were in the lower-middle bracket, and the majority (132, 52.2%) had only completed secondary education. Unregistered pregnancies were linked to a higher prevalence of adverse outcomes, including preterm delivery (101, 40.23%), anemia (178, 70.9%), hypertensive disorders (30, 11.9%), gestational diabetes mellitus (16, 6.37%), fetal growth restriction (39, 15.3%), low birth weight (181, 72.1%), and NICU admissions (112, 44.6%), compared to registered pregnancies. Conclusion In conclusion, this study highlights the significant impact of registration status on pregnancy outcomes, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions to improve prenatal care access and to promote maternal and neonatal health equity. By addressing socioeconomic barriers and implementing targeted interventions, healthcare systems can strive towardensuring optimal pregnancy outcomes for all expectant mothers. This is done by ensuring that all antenatal patients are registered for prenatal care by involving a combination of strategies focused on support, education, and accessibility.

Implementation research on registering cancer cases in primary health centres of Puducherry through community health workers.

Background & objectives Hospital-based cancer registry does not represent the true burden of cancer in the community. Initiating a Primary Health Centre (PHC)-based cancer registry may better estimate population-level data for cancer cases in an area. This study aimed to set up a system for facilitating a PHC-based cancer registry and to assess the registration status of cancer cases in various PHCs of Puducherry. The facilitating and limiting factors while setting up this registry were also assessed. Methods A quasi-experimental study with an embedded mixed-method design was conducted in 31 PHCs/Community Health Centres (CHCs) from March 2021 to November 2022. The interventions were implemented in all PHCs/CHCs of Puducherry with the involvement of the State Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) cell. The line list of cancer cases from the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) Hospital-based cancer registry was shared with all PHCs/CHCs. Sensitization sessions for all Community Health Workers (CHWs) were conducted, and feedback on cancer registration status was given to the State NCD cell. Focus group discussion (FGD)/Key informant interview (KII) was undertaken to understand strengths, challenges, and suggestions. The logic model was used to understand the various indicators while setting up this PHC-based cancer registry. Results Over a one-year intervention period, 1270 cancer cases were registered at Puducherry's PHCs/CHCs, 1203 (88%) from the shared list and 67(5%) from other facilities. However, only 53 per cent of the expected living cases were captured in the various PHCs. Major limitations for registration were the COVID-19 pandemic, stigma, inadequate manpower, infrastructure issues, and privacy concerns during screening. Interpretation & conclusions It was feasible to set up a PHC-based cancer registry in all PHCs of Puducherry. However, registration of cancer cases was suboptimal, as population-based screening of cancer cases, as recommended in the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) programme, was weak due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once this is strengthened, the PHC-based cancer registry will better represent the population.

Evaluating the Spatial Heterogeneity and Driving Factors of Sustainable Development Level in Chengdu with Point of Interest Data and Geographic Detector Model

Over the past few decades, China has undergone the largest and fastest urbanization process in world history. By 2023, Chengdu’s urbanization rate had reached 80.5%, significantly higher than the national average of 66.16%. Studying the urbanization experience of Chengdu is of great significance for optimizing urban planning policies in Chengdu and other cities in China. Although much literature has explored the urbanization process from macro and micro perspectives, studies using a top-down approach to examine urban fringe expansion are relatively scarce. This study first applies the entropy weight method to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution trends of urban development, identifying areas of imbalanced development and prominent issues. Secondly, the K-means machine learning algorithm and nightlight data are used to reconstruct and classify urban regions, and a comparative analysis is conducted with administrative divisions to further identify unreasonable areas in urban spatial distribution and structure. Finally, POI data and the geographical detector method are used to analyze the micro-driving forces in areas of imbalanced development, identifying major limiting factors and solutions. The study found that the gap between urban and rural development in Chengdu is narrowing during the urbanization process, but there is severe differentiation in the second circle of Chengdu, where economic development is accelerating but residents’ happiness is declining. Moreover, analysis based on urban nightlight data and land-use data reveals that the expansion areas on the urban-rural fringe are mainly concentrated in the second circle of Chengdu. Micro-level driving factor analysis found that the western region of the second circle has many but small urban settlements, with a dense road network but scattered functional areas. The eastern region has inefficient and extensive use of construction land. Additionally, the mismatch between student status and household registration has resulted in relatively lagging educational resource development, and high entry barriers have hindered the progress of urbanization, leading to low per capita welfare expenditure. These reasons are the main factors causing the decline in residents’ happiness, and this impact shows significant differences at different temporal and spatial scales. Encouraging innovation in research and development or education can serve as a long-term and effective driving force for promoting sustainable urbanization. This study provides valuable insights for scientifically planning sustainable urban development and promoting the urbanization process.

Who are the Owners of Plant Genetic Resources? An Analysis Based on the Status and Trends of Registration Under the PPVFR Act

Who are the Owners of Plant Genetic Resources? An Analysis Based on the Status and Trends of Registration Under the PPVFR Act

Socioeconomic and gender disparities in depression among elderly Chinese individuals

The positive relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and health is well established in Western societies. However, while research mainly focuses on SES measures such as education and income, these measures may not completely capture the characteristics of social stratification in China. In the socio-historical context of China, for example, the work unit sector is a crucial SES factor. Yet, few health studies have paid attention to unique SES factors in China. Furthermore, women generally report worse mental health than men, but it is unclear whether this gender gap could be influenced by SES. In this article, using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we (1) expand SES measures to explore the impact of the work unit sector and use other SES measures, including Communist Party of China (CPC) membership and hukou (household registration) status, to examine the relationship between SES and depression and (2) investigate whether SES could modify the relationship between gender and depression. We find that all the SES measures negatively predict the depression symptoms of elderly individuals. We also find that women on average report higher depressive symptom scores than men. However, the gender differences in depressive symptom scores are smaller among elderly individuals with higher SES than among those with lower SES. We demonstrate that the work unit sector and CPC membership are crucial SES factors affecting the mental health of elderly Chinese individuals. Moreover, we show that the gender gap in depression could vary by SES, suggesting that women might benefit more from obtaining higher SES.

The Otolaryngology Consultant Workforce in England: A Survey Update and Future Repercussions.

Effective medical staffing is pivotal for a successful healthcare system, demanding strategic planning to ensure a high-quality service. Although the UK's doctor to population ratio has improved over time, it remains below global averages. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges, resulting in an unprecedented NHS waiting list with Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeries ranking third highest in waiting times amongst all specialties. This study utilized a national jotform survey to gather data from ENTUK members, primarily focusing on consultant staffing within ENT departments across the UK. Additional information collected encompassed registration status, part-time roles, gender, vacancies, locum roles, associate specialists, registrars and other junior doctors, and advanced nurse practitioners. When survey responses were inadequate, direct communication was established with departmental consultants or secretaries, followed by Freedom of Information requests as necessary. All data were compiled using Microsoft Excel. Among the 65 responses to the ENTUK survey, 53 individual trusts were identified. These included 41 English acute trusts, with supplementary participation from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Data from 749 consultants across 115 English acute trusts were collected in combination with a Freedom of Information request. Despite an increased number of ENT consultants, the persistence of unfilled posts coincides with mounting waiting lists. The pandemic's effects, including early retirements and part-time roles, emphasise the urgency of expanding training positions to counterbalance these shifts. Local and national interventions are essential to fortify and diversify the ENT workforce through a variety of strategies.

Evaluating cropping intensity in registered and unregistered farms: Evidence from Kenya

Sustainable agricultural intensification strategies are crucial in increasing Africa's agricultural productivity. Globally, literature shows strong linkages between land tenure security and sustainable agriculture. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), findings remain inconsistent. Studies attribute this inconsistency to the use of cost-benefit and yield methodologies that are limited in capturing the nuance of subsistence farming and spatial and temporal distribution. Thus, this study seeks to fill this gap using Tharaka Nithi County in Kenya by employing remote-sensing and spatial econometrics to evaluate this relationship. The study uses the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as the dependent variable and a proxy for cropping intensity, which similar studies have not used. NDVI datasets covered seven years (2014–2020) acquired from Copernicus Global Land Service. Explanatory factors include land registration status, topography and climatic characteristics. The study utilises a three-step analysis, which includes exploratory regression for model selection, global regression using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), and localised regression using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). Spatial autocorrelation tests on OLS residuals using Moran's Index indicated spatial heterogeneity; hence, the study ran GWR. GWR performed better with an adjusted R2 value of 0.941, compared to OLS with an R2 value of 0.807. Mapping the GWR model illustrated that NDVI is lowest in unregistered land in the semi-arid zone of the County (0.012608) and highest in registered areas (0.883172). A hot-spot analysis using the Gettis-Ord Gi* Statistic validated the findings. The test showed cold spots in unregistered land in the semi-arid zone and hot spots in registered land, which was significant at 99 % confidence. The findings shows that the relationship between land registration and cropping intensity is highly significant, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), an indicator that land tenure security promotes sustainable agriculture in Kenya. The results enrich policy discussions aimed at land reforms and sustainable agriculture. The study recommends fast-tracking land registration prioritising ASALs, implementing the national land information system, and modernisation of land registries in Kenya to improve public access to land information. The study also recommends similar studies on various agroecological zones to supplement the findings, mainly where subsistence farming is dominant. The findings will add a critical layer of information in decision-making for sustainable agriculture and land reform policies.

Воспроизведенная комбинация модуляторов белка CFTR — ивакафтора и лумакафтора. Этические и фармакокинетические аспекты

The lack of effective and affordable therapies for rare diseases is an important ethical issue. One example is cystic fibrosis (CF), a chronic, progressive disease characterized by an impaired function of all exocrine glands. The combination of ivacaftor and lumacaftor (CFTR potentiator and corrector) should lead to a sufficient level of protein on the cell surface and to an increase in its activity, thereby correcting the impaired function. Development of a generic drug containing ivacaftor and lumacaftor as active pharmaceutical substances will increase the availability of this medication and improve patient survival. To study comparative pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of drugs containing ivacaftor and lumacaftor in healthy volunteers. It was conducted as an open-label, randomized, crossover bioequivalence study involving a single intake of the drug during each period under fed condition in healthy male and female volunteers. The conclusion about bioequivalence was made if 90% confidence interval for primary pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, AUC0-t) fell within the accepted bioequivalence limits of 80–125%. According to the results of the study, it was shown that the values of 90% CI of the geometric mean of the main pharmacokinetic parameters for ivacaftor and lumacaftor fall within the acceptance limits for bioequivalence. According to the applied criteria, the drugs are bioequivalent, which makes it possible to recommend the investigational drug to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for obtaining the registration status.

Incomplete tuberculosis reporting and registration to the surveillance system in southwestern China of Yunnan Province: an inventory survey

BackgroundThe real-world tuberculosis (TB) surveillance data was generally incomplete due to underreporting and underdiagnosis. The inventory study aimed to assess and quantify the incompletion of surveillance systems in southwestern China.MethodsThe inventory study was conducted at randomly selected health facilities (HF) by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. The participants were included in the period between August of 2020 in province-level and prefecture-level HF, and in the period between June to December of 2020 in other categories of HF respectively. The clinical committee confirmed medical records were matched to the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) and the Tuberculosis Information Management System (TBIMS) to define the report and register status. The underreporting and under-register rates were evaluated based on the matched data, and factors associated with underreport and under-register were assessed by the 2-level logistic multilevel model (MLM).ResultsWe enrolled 7,749 confirmed TB cases in the analysis. The province representative overall underreport rate to NNDRS was 1.6% (95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 1.3 − 1.9), and the overall under-register rate to TBIMS was 9.6% (95% CI, 8.9–10.3). The various underreport and under-register rates were displayed in different stratifications of background TB disease burden, HF level, HF category, and data source of the medical record in HF among prefectures of the province. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.57 for the underreporting null MLM, indicating the facility-level cluster effect contributes a great share of variation in total variance. The two-level logistic MLM showed the data source of medical records in HF, diagnostic category of TB, and type of TB were associated with underreporting by adjusting other factors (p < 0.05). The ICC for under-register was 0.42, and the HF level, HF category, data source of medical records in HF, diagnostic category of TB and type of TB were associated with under-register by adjusting other factors (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe inventory study depicted incomplete TB reporting and registering to NNDRS and TBIMS in southwestern China. It implied that surveillance quality improvement would help advance the TB prevention and control strategy.