Safety Index Research Articles

Investigating and Improving Pedestrian Safety in an Urban Environment of a Low- or Middle-Income Country: A Case Study of Yaoundé, Cameroon

In Yaoundé, Cameroon, where walking dominates transport modes, pedestrian safety remains an issue as pedestrians account for a fair share of road traffic casualties, partly due to the lack of walking policies and pedestrian facilities safety data, hindering targeted intervention. This study used a pedestrian safety index (PSI) and the Global Walkability Index (GWI) to investigate 12 road segments frequented by diverse pedestrian groups. Indexes were graded from E—lowest to A—highest and analyzed using description and rank correlation. Main safety issues included lack of adequate and accessible sidewalks, bollards, pedestrian crossings, signage, shade, and street lighting. Only one segment (R7) achieved grade C, while the remainder scored D or E, indicating poor pedestrian safety conditions and an unpleasant walking experience. The correlation coefficient (0.69) between the PSI and GWI at a 99% significance level validated the safety assessment, providing confidence in the results. A seven-year (2024–2030) safety strategy is proposed to improve all roads to grade B. This strategy contains several interventions, including engineering improvement, which have been proven effective. This study offers evidence for city officials to improve pedestrian safety and informs walking policies and the implementation of upcoming projects. Future research should quantify the recommendations’ benefits and validate indexes with crash or conflict data.

Hospital safety index: evaluation of the readiness and safety of hospitals in Isfahan province, Iran

Objective: Hospitals play a vital role in disaster management and their function must be maintained during crises. Isfahan province is susceptible to major crises and disasters at any time of the year. The study aimed to investigate the hospital safety index (HSI) in hospitals in Isfahan province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using the HSI questionnaire of the world health organization. The safety of all 55 hospitals in Isfahan province was evaluated with the Persian version of the questionnaire from 2017 to 2022. In this study, all hospitals were evaluated by a group of experts from the emergency operations center (EOC) of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and the checklists were completed with the cooperation of the hospital disaster committee, visiting the hospitals, and interviewing the personnel. Results: The safety level of hospitals has improved from 2017 to 2022 so in 2022, 38 hospitals (69.09%) had a high safety level, and 17 hospitals (30.91%) had a medium safety level. This increase in safety has happened in all three components of safety (functional, non-structural, and structural safety). There was no significant difference in the overall hospital safety score between academic-educational, non-academic governmental, social security and military, and private and charity hospitals (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although the safety in the hospitals of Isfahan province has improved due to the continuous disaster prevention and preparedness activities, hospitals still need to improve to achieve higher levels of safety. The HSI shows how well a hospital can maintain its organization and performance during disasters. This index will be useful for decision-making and policy-making to prioritize administrative and civil interventions.

A novel inherent safety index for reactive hazard evaluation integrating thermal and pressure effects

Chemical reactive hazard is one of the main causes for accidents in chemical production, inherent safety indexing methodology is considered the most effective method for reactive hazard evaluation. Traditional reactive inherent safety indices often neglect pressure-related risks in runaway scenarios. This work introduced a chemical reactive risk index (CRRI), filling the gap in pressure risk assessment. CRRI integrates a semi-quantitative method based on risk analysis principles, consisting of the probability of reaction runaway and the severity of its consequences. The consequence of the whole runaway process is evaluated, and the severity of thermal and pressure effects are considered comprehensively. The PVA, TBHP and PFA production processes are utilized as case studies to demonstrate the application process and evaluation effectiveness of CRRI. The results illustrate the superiority of CRRI in comprehensive assessment of reaction risks, indicating CRRI as a reliable safety assessment tool for chemical reactions, helping to select inherently safer reaction processes.

Investigating the Functional, Non-structural, and Structural Safety Status in Selected Hospitals in Ahvaz

Background: Hospitals are primary centers providing services during unexpected events and should maintain their operational capabilities during and after disasters. Therefore, continuous evaluation of the safety status of these centers is vital. Objectives: This study investigated the functional, non-structural, and structural safety status in selected hospitals in Ahvaz and determined the most significant safety challenges across three dimensions. Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in three hospitals in Ahvaz. The World Health Organization's (WHO) “Hospital Safety Index” checklist was used to collect data across three dimensions: Functional, non-structural, and structural safety. Descriptive statistics, such as mean percentages and frequency distribution tables, were utilized to investigate the quantitative objectives. Results: The safety level of the studied hospitals was estimated at 30.81% in the functional dimension, 59.17% in the non-structural dimension, and 71.69% in the structural dimension. According to the WHO classification, they were categorized in levels C, B, and A, respectively. The overall safety was 52.48% and was placed in category B. In the functional safety dimension, the highest score was related to hospital 2 at 35.24%, and the lowest score was related to hospital 3 at 24.59%. In the non-structural safety dimension, the highest score was related to hospital 3 at 66.66%, and the lowest was related to hospital 1 at 48.55%. In the structural safety dimension, the highest score was related to hospital 2 at 84.61%, and the lowest was to hospital 1 at 50%. Regarding overall safety, hospital 2 obtained the highest score at 57.61%, and hospital 1 obtained the lowest at 43.90%. Conclusions: The results revealed a moderate safety status in the three investigated hospitals. Although the safety status of these hospitals is not critical regarding disaster preparedness, there is a need for better planning and implementation to improve their safety levels.

Контроль и управление небезопасными действиями работников на основе нечетких показателей

Industrial accidents and incidents are negative indices for the occupational safety management system of a company forcing employers to implement various systems of control and management of unsafe actions of employees. According to various studies, the human factor is the cause of the majority of accidents at production. Unintentional errors or negligent attitudes to work are the causes of unsafe actions of employees. Observation of the indices of unsafe actions of employees, identification of weaknesses, prediction of potential accidents, and the development of preventive measures are the basic factors to ensure occupational safety. In practice, however, the lack of necessary information hampers the implementation of timely preventive measures. Identification and study of unsafe actions of employees will provide the necessary basis for the analysis, prediction, and development of preventive measures to ensure occupational safety. The possibility to apply indices with fuzzy borders as preventive (leading) indicators to eliminate the causes of unsafe actions of employees has been demonstrated. Control and management of unsafe actions of employees based on fizzy indices will allow for the timely development of preventive measures to ensure occupational safety. Preventive indicators have been considered a database with fuzzy borders to rely on in order to develop measures to improve safety indices. The database will be changing constantly; therefore, the measures applied will be changing as well. This approach will stimulate the establishment of a positive safety culture in a company. The development and implementation of measures to improve indices of preventive indicators significantly increased safety indices in the company in 2023.

Anhydroparthenin as a dual-target inhibitor against Sterol C-24 methyltransferase and Sterol 14-α demethylase of Leishmania donovani: A comprehensive in vitro and in silico study

Parthenium hysterophorus plant has a diverse chemical profile and immense bioactive potential. It exhibits excellent pharmacological properties such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, microbicidal, and anti-trypanosomal. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-leishmanial potential and toxicological safety of anhydroparthenin isolated from P. hysterophorus. Anydroparthenin was extracted from the leaves of P. hysterophorus and characterized through detailed analysis of 1H, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Dye-based in vitro and ex vivo assays confirmed that anhydroparthenin significantly inhibited both promastigote and amastigote forms of the Leishmania donovani parasites. Both the cytotoxicity experiment and hemolytic assay revealed its non-toxic nature and safety index in the range of 10 to 15. Further, various mechanistic assays suggested that anhydroparthenin led to the generation of oxidative stress, intracellular ATP depletion, alterations in morphology and mitochondrial membrane potential, formation of intracellular lipid bodies, and acidic vesicles, ultimately leading to parasite death. As a dual targeting approach, computational studies and sterol quantification assays confirmed that anhydroparthenin inhibits the Sterol C-24 methyl transferase and Sterol 14-α demethylase proteins involved in the ergosterol biosynthesis in Leishmania parasites. These results suggest that anhydroparthenin could be a promising anti-leishmanial molecule and can be developed as a novel therapeutic stratagem against leishmaniasis.

Study on the comparison between Bosentan and Macitentan in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborns, simultaneously on sildenafil: A randomized double-blinded non-inferiority parallel clinical trial

BackgroundPersistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is characterized by sustained elevated Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP). Drug resistance and the adverse effects of current therapeutic agents warrant investigation of other targeted therapies. Bosentan has shown benefits in affected neonates. However, trials reported the association with unwanted effects. Thus, in this study, we assess another agent in the same family, Macitentan. However, its efficacy in the treatment of PPHN is not yet reported. Hence, this study evaluated the effect of Macitentan compared to Bosentan in terms of efficacy and safety in the treatment of PPHN. MethodsThis randomized, double-blinded non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted in Shahid Akbar Abadi hospital, Tehran, Iran. Sixty clinically stable neonates with signs suggestive of PPHN were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 30 in each group) and they received either Bosentan 1 mg/kg/dose BD (twice daily) or Macitentan 1 mg/kg/dose BD simultaneously with sildenafil. The echocardiographic and laboratory indices of efficacy and safety were compared between groups. SPAP (systolic pulmonary artery pressure) was used to assess the non-inferiority of the Macitentan compared to the Bosentan in their respective doses used in the study. ResultsParticipants’ mean (SD) age was 3.53 (1.21) days, and 55% were female. No mortality case occurred. SPAP was reduced in both Bosentan and Macitenan groups with the mean difference in SPAP of 9 (95% CI: 7.34–10.65) in Bosentan and SPAP mean difference of 14 (95% CI: 12.12–15.86) in Macitentan group. Categorical comparison of primary outcome improvement showed that Macitentan was superior to Bosentan with a 10% non-inferiority margin. Similar results were obtained in other echocardiographic indices. Also, no significant alterations were observed in laboratory safety parameters. ConclusionMacitentan 1 mg/kg/dose BD (twice daily) is non-inferior to Bosentan 1 mg/kg/dose BD in improving echo outcomes of PPHN and it was even more effective in improving some of these. Also, it is non-inferior to Bosentan in terms of safety. Trial registry number(IRCT20160120026115N9).

Comparison of refractive surgeries (SMILE, LASIK, and PRK) with and without corneal crosslinking: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is used for treating keratoconus and post-laser in situ keratomileusis ectasia. However, refractive surgery is not usually performed with prophylactic CXL. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis comparing outcomes of refractive surgeries with vs without prophylactic CXL. We systematically searched databases for studies comparing refractive surgeries for myopic correction with vs without prophylactic corneal crosslinking. Review Manager 5.4.1 was used to perform statistical analysis. We included 2820 eyes from 28 studies. Compared with refractive surgery alone, surgery with prophylactic CXL resulted in decreased central corneal thickness, corrected distance visual acuity logMAR, and safety and efficacy indices. There were no significant differences in postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better at ≥12 months and other visual outcomes among both groups. More randomized controlled trials with standard crosslinking protocols are needed to analyze the prophylactic use of crosslinking with refractive surgeries.

Immediate versus delayed sequential bilateral ICL implantation: A retrospective comparison of vault height and visual outcomes

PurposeTo compare the visual outcomes and risks of suboptimal vault-related complications between immediate sequential bilateral ICL surgery (ISBICLS) and delayed sequential bilateral ICL surgery (DSBICLS). DesignA retrospective cohort study. MethodsPatients who underwent bilateral ICL implantation between November 2014 and December 2021 at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University (Shanghai, China) were included and divided into two groups: (1) ISBICLS: both eye surgeries performed on the same day, and (2) DSBICLS: second eye surgery performed < 7 days following the first one. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to compare the visual outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of the suboptimal vaults. ResultsFinally, 10,985 eyes were included. After PSM, 204 first surgery eyes and 162 s surgery eyes with complete postoperative data were matched. The safety and efficacy indices did not statistically differ between groups (all > 1.00), except that ISBICLS first surgery eyes achieved better efficacy index than DSBICLS group (1.03 ± 0.26 vs. 1.08 ± 0.23, P = 0.034). Excessive vault was observed in eight (4.06 %) ISBICLS first eyes, one (0.50 %) DSBICLS first eye, and none in the second surgery eye in either group. An insufficient vault was observed in one second eye and one DSBICLS second eye. We found no evidence of differences in the rate of excessive vault (OR = 0.831, 95 % CI: 0.426–1.622, P = 0.588) or insufficient vault (OR = 0.609, 95 % CI:0.062–5.850, P = 0.668). ConclusionISBICLS provided safety, efficacy, and refraction predictability comparable to DSBICLS without increasing the risk of suboptimal vault-related complications.

Exploring the ship operation safety indicators of international ports in Taiwan

Port safety plays an important role in port operations. Ship size has become larger and the port environment has rapidly changed in recent years. Ship accidents occur in the port area due to the complex environment in the port area. To improve past decision analysis methods on port operation safety fields and reduce fatalities and financial loss for potential accidents, the novelty of this study is to construct a safety index of ports with the application of the Best Worst Method (BWM). Four dimensions and 14 indicators were summarized based on an intensive literature review. The BWM was implemented to prioritize the weights of dimensions and indicators. Based on 21 expert questionnaires, the results indicate that the ranking of dimensions is ‘human’, ‘ship facilities’, ‘port facilities’, and ‘documentation check’. Regarding the ranking of indicators, the top three are ‘fire-fighting and life-saving equipment’, ‘captain’, and ‘pilot’. Safety improvement strategies (e.g. revising inappropriate operational rules and strengthening human safety education and training) based on these research findings are provided. The merits of this paper are presenting a simpler questionnaire-filling method and overcoming the traditional complicated questionnaire survey process and research limitations (e.g. indicator independence problems in the Analytic Hierarchy Process, and the complexation of filling out a questionnaire in the Analytic Network Process). In addition, the findings can help decision-making for port management authorities, port practitioners, and shipping operators (shipowners) regarding policy implementations of port safety.

Developing a statewide active transportation planning dashboard with mobility data

ABSTRACT Existing walking/biking data are often insufficient to support active transportation planning activities. This study used an emerging large-scale human mobility dataset to identify places where there are a higher number of short-distance trips to public places (expressed by a mobility index). Demographic variables were integrated into the mobility index to prioritize access for more people and address equity concerns. In addition, a safety index (reflecting crash injuries/fatalities involving pedestrians/bicyclists) and a connectivity index (reflecting the density of existing active transportation infrastructure) were also considered together with the mobility index in generating an investment potential score. All the indices/scores were mapped at hexagon and segment level on an online dashboard. The developed dashboard is expected to support statewide active transportation planning and project selection/prioritization decision-makings. The proposed methodology is replicable for any places that have few active transportation facilities and where pedestrian/bicyclist count data are not sufficient to model demand directly.

Evaluation and comparison of administrative division-level road traffic safety indices of Egypt, England, Turkey, and the United States

Introduction: There is regional diversity inside countries regarding road safety indices (RSIs), and countries rarely have been compared based on these indicators. Thus, regional RSIs of England, the United States, Egypt, and Turkey were evaluated. Regional data were collected from the statistical center of each country. The adopted regional RSIs include road fatalities, health risk (HR) or fatalities per population, and traffic risk (TR) or fatalities per number of vehicles. The associations between variables were examined using correlation and regression analysis. The spatial distributions of subdivisions were evaluated using Moran's I, the local Moran index. Results: Considerable differences between the countries were observed, including differences in the spatial distribution of regions and associations between RSIs. Significant relationships were detected between road fatality, population, and the number of motor vehicles. Higher exposure rates mean higher fatalities in regions. A robust linear relationship between the HR and TR indices was identified in developed countries. There is a nonlinear and significant association between motorization rates and TR indices of regions, and fatality risk decreases as the motorization rate increases. There is a considerable gap between developed and developing countries regarding regional RSIs, and the transferability of road safety models from one country to another is challenging. Huge hotspots regarding RSIs were observed in Turkey and the United States. The locations of hot spots in terms of the risk indices were identical in the developed countries.

Femtosecond thin-flap laser assisted in situ keratomileusis for correction of post-penetrating keratoplasty ametropia: long-term outcome

PurposeTo evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of femtosecond thin-flap LASIK (femto-LASIK) for correction of refractive error after penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus-affected eyes.Settinga private ophthalmology clinic.DesignProspective interventional case series.MethodsThis prospective interventional case series enrolled 22 eyes of 22 patients who underwent femto-LASIK for the management of post-penetrating keratoplasty ametropia. The refractive error, uncorrected (UDVA), and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities and vector analysis were reported in short-term and long-term period after surgery.ResultsThe mean age was 32.7 ± 7.5 years (range, 23 to 47 years) at the surgery time. The average time between PK and femto-LASIK was 42.5 ± 31.7 months. The average follow-up duration after femto-LASIK was 81.2 ± 18.6 months. The mean preoperative UDVA significantly improved from 0.47 ± 0.15 logMAR to 0.35 ± 0.14 logMAR at 12 months (P = 0.048) and 0.4 ± 0.17 at final follow-up exam (P = 0.007). CDVA was 0.22 ± 0.1 at baseline which improved to 0.18 ± 0.15 and 0.15 ± 0.1 logMAR at 12 and 81 months, respectively. (Ps = 0.027, 0.014). The mean cylinder before surgery was − 5.04 ± 1.4D which significantly decreased to -1.5 ± 0.8 D at 12 months postoperatively. (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in refractive astigmatism from 12 months to 81 months postoperatively (-3.1 ± 2.0, P = 0.002). At the final visit, the efficacy index was 0.83, and the safety index was 1.16.ConclusionsDespite the short-term outcome indicated that femo-LASIK was effective for correction of post-keratoplasty ametropia during short-term period, a notable regression in its effect was observed in the long-term follow-up. Therefore, the predictability of this technique might decrease in the long-term.

Risk Assessment of Mamak Dam Based on The ICOLD Modification Method and Risk Index Method

The Mamak Dam has the risk of damage and the need for evacuation at an extreme downstream level. Risk considerations are based on the potential natural disasters of the dam, the impact of dam failure, design loads, and safety coefficients. The Risk Index method results in a score with parameters such as spillway capacity adequacy, safety factor adequacy against slopes, disaster factor (hazard), and all parameters analyzed to determine the Dam Safety Index (Idam). The drawback of the Risk Index method is neglecting downstream failure analysis. The ICOLD modification method for parameters is the same as the Risk Index method, but the ICOLD method considers downstream analysis. The modification involves adding parameters, such as the condition of the dam slope cover layer, based on the Mamak Dam Large Inspection results. In the Risk Index method, the Idam calculation value is 262.5. The total risk index value for Mamak Dam is 51.73, with a dam safety value of 92.337. In the ICOLD method, the Idam calculation value is 245, with a total risk index value for Mamak Dam of 48.28 and a Dam Safety value of 92.848. Meanwhile, using the Modified ICOLD method, the Idam calculation value is 245, with a total risk index value for Mamak Dam of 49.93 and a Dam Safety value of 92.603. Based on these results, the Dam Safety value with the Modified ICOLD method has decreased but still falls within the satisfactory classification (&gt;75). Therefore, it can be concluded that Mamak Dam is currently at a safe level against normal loads and extraordinary loads (design floods and design earthquakes).

Comparative visual outcomes of the first versus second eye following small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the visual outcomes of the first operated eyes with those of the second operated eyes following small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).MethodsA total of 202 patients (404 eyes) underwent SMILE using the tear film mark centration method for myopia and myopic astigmatism correction. Baseline characteristics, objective optical quality, decentered displacement, induced corneal aberrations, and modulation transfer function (MTF) values were assessed. Linear regression analyzed the relationship between decentration and visual quality parameters, including corneal aberrations and MTF values.ResultsNo significant difference was observed in objective visual quality, efficacy, and safety indexes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The average decentered displacement for the first and second surgical eyes was 0.278 ± 0.17 mm and 0.315 ± 0.15 mm, respectively (P = 0.002). The horizontal coma in the first surgical eyes were notably lower than in the second (P = 0.000). MTF values at spatial frequencies of 5, 10, 15, and 20 cycles/degree (c/d) were higher in the first surgical eyes compared to the second (all P < 0.05). Linear regression indicated that high-order aberrations (HOAs), root mean square (RMS) coma, spherical aberration, horizontal coma, vertical coma, and eccentric displacement were all linearly correlated. Furthermore, MTF values exhibited a linear relationship with eccentric displacement across these spatial frequencies.ConclusionsThere was no discernible difference in visual acuity, efficacy, or safety between the two operated eyes. Nonetheless, the first operated eyes exhibited reduced decentered displacement and demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of horizontal coma and MTF values compared to the second operated eyes following SMILE. The variations in visual quality parameters were linearly correlated with decentered displacement.

Comparative analysis of two disaster risk assessment tools for primary health care centers: The case of Iran

AimAssessing disaster risk in primary health care (PHC) centers is essential for ensuring continuity of operations during disasters. There is a lack of internationally recognized methods for conducting this assessment in PHC centers. In Iran, the SARA tool, a modified version of the Hospital Safety Index, has been utilized, but its effectiveness is being questioned. This study aims to evaluate the SARA by comparing it with the Kaiser Permanente Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (KP HVA) tool to identify differences and potential issues. Methodology: The cross-sectional study was conducted in two stages. First, the expert panel was used to compare the two tools' instructions and inputs and extract similarities and differences. In the second phase, the outputs of the two tools were compared by implementing them in 156 PHC centers supervised by Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Data was collected using SARA and KP HVA tools and analyzed using Excel software. ResultsThe findings illustrated the disparities in the results obtained from the two tools. Although significant similarities exist in the instructions and inputs, the SARA results indicated the safety and preparedness of PHC centers without considering the hazards. On the other hand, the KP HVA results highlighted hazard risk priorities based on comparable dimensions. ConclusionThe leading cause of the differences is the multiple-hazard and all-hazard approaches of KP HVA and SARA tools. It is recommended that the SARA tool be upgraded based on the advantages of the KP HVA tool for better resource allocation.

Development of an Integrated Longitudinal Control Algorithm for Autonomous Mobility with EEG-Based Driver Status Classification and Safety Index

During unexpected driving situations in autonomous vehicles, such as a system failure, the driver should take over control from the vehicles in SAE Level 3 to cope with unexpected situations. Therefore, it is necessary to develop reasonable takeover technologies to ensure safe driving. In this study, an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based driver status classification model and a safety index-based integrated longitudinal control algorithm considering the takeover time and driving characteristics are proposed. The driver status is classified into two states: road monitoring and non-driving-related tasks. EEG data are acquired while the driver performs certain tasks. The driver status classification model is presented using the EEG data based on a machine learning method. It is designed such that the desired takeover time is determined based on the classified driver state. To design the integrated longitudinal control algorithm, a safety index is designed and calculated based on the vehicle state and driver’s driving characteristics. The desired clearances based on the desired takeover time and driver characteristics are calculated and selected based on the safety index. A sliding-mode control algorithm is adopted to allow the vehicle to track the desired clearance reasonably. The performance of the proposed control algorithm is evaluated using the MATLAB/Simulink R2019a (Mathworks, Natick, Massachusetts, U.S.A) and CarMaker software 8.1.1 (IPG Automotive, Karlsruhe, Germany).

A randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effects of Cordyceps militaris beverage on the immune response in healthy adults

Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link (C. militaris) contains various beneficial substances, including polysaccharides (galactomannan), nucleotides (adenosine and cordycepin), cordycepic acid, amino acids, and sterols (ergosterol and beta-sitosterol). It also contains other essential nutrients, such as protein, vitamins (E, K, B1, B2, and B12), and minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium). Due to the numerous health benefits of supplements and products containing C. militaris extract, their popularity has increased. However, the immunostimulant effect of C. militaris remains unclear. Therefore, this study developed a functional beverage from the submerged fermentation of C. militaris (FCM) and aimed to investigate the potential of FCM in healthy male and female volunteers in Phayao Province, Thailand. This study provides essential information for the development of healthy drink products. Healthy men and women were provided either FCM containing 2.85 mg of cordycepin or placebo for 8 weeks (n = 10 for each gender). The immune cell markers, immunoglobulins, and safety parameters were assessed initially at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. The NK cell activity markedly increased in the male FCM group from baseline (p = 0.049) to 4 weeks after receiving FCM. Compared with those in the placebo group, the NK activity in women who received FCM for 8 weeks significantly increased (p = 0.023) from baseline. Within-group analysis revealed that the IL-1β levels were markedly reduced in the male FCM group (p = 0.049). Furthermore, the IL-6 levels decreased from baseline in the female FCM group (p = 0.047). The blood sugar, lipid, and safety indices were not different between the experimental groups. FCM can potentially be developed as an immune-boosting supplement without liver, kidney, or blood component toxicity.

Phacoemulsification with implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens in eyes with asteroid hyalosis and synchysis scintillans

To compare the visual outcomes in both eyes of patients who undergo phacoemulsification and trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and have asteroid hyalosis (AH) or synchysis scintillans (SS) in only one eye. A retrospective comparative case series was performed. We evaluated uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), predictability, safety, efficacy, and satisfaction after implantation of the same model of trifocal IOL in both eyes (PhysIOL FineVision Pod-F and Micro-F and Rayner RayOne Trifocal). A total of 164 eyes of 82 patients (41 females, 50%) met the inclusion criteria. There were no statistically significant differences in sphere, cylinder, spherical equivalent, UDVA, UIVA, or UNVA between the groups. Postoperative CDVA was slightly better in the control group (logMAR 0.03) than in the AH/SS group (logMAR 0.04) (P: 0.014). There were no statistically significant differences in predictability, safety index, or efficacy index between the groups. Overall subjective satisfaction was good (98.2%). Visual outcomes and satisfaction are good after implantation of trifocal IOLs in eyes with AH or SS. Therefore, trifocal IOLs should not be ruled out in these patients when no other vitreoretinal disorder is present.

시민들의 경찰역할인식이 범죄두려움에 미치는 영향

This study aims to investigate whether fear of crime varies according to citizens’ perception of the police role. And to explore it underlying causes. Citizens’ perception of police role can be influence by personal, societal, and psychological factors, with this study particularly focusing on the macroscopic perspective of the local community environment to analyze variations in citizens' perceptions. The analysis utilizes self-collected data from the “Citizens' Perception Survey on Police Organizations and Crime” and the Ministry of Public Administration and Security's “2022 Nationwide Local Safety Index Publication.” The findings are as follows: First, citizens tend to perceive the police role as closer to crime response in areas with higher crime indices, indicating greater vulnerability to crime. Second, it was found that differences in citizens' perception of the police role based on the crime index of their residential districts have varied impacts on fear of crime. Specifically, residents in the Dongbuk-gwon, where the crime index is the lowest, showed no significant impact of crime fear even when perceiving police role as crime response. However, in the Seobuk-gwon with the highest crime index, the perception of police role as crime response corresponded to increased fear of crime, demonstrating the strongest significance. Based on these results, several preventative measures emphasizing the proactive aspects of police activities are proposed.