Significant Differences In Aspects Research Articles

Comparison with surgically resected mucinous cystic neoplasm of pancreas and branch-duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm considering clinico-radiological high-risk features: a reassessment of current guidelines.

To perform a comparative analysis of surgically resected mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) of pancreas and branch-duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMN) considering clinico-radiological high-risk predictors for malignant tumors using the current management guidelines. 224 patients who underwent surgical resection and had histopathologically confirmed MCNs (benign 73; malignant 17) or BD-IPMNs (benign 110; malignant 24) and had pre-operative CT or MRI were retrospectively reviewed. Tumors classified as either high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma were considered malignant, whereas those with low-grade dysplasia were considered benign. Imaging features were analyzed by two radiologists based on selected high-risk stigmata or worrisome features proposed by prevalent guidelines except tumors with main pancreatic duct dilatation (> 5mm) were excluded. MCNs and BD-IPMNs showed significant differences in aspects like tumor size, location, the presence and size of enhancing mural nodules, the presence of wall or septal thickening, and multiplicity. Multivariate analyses revealed tumor size (OR, 1.336; 95% CI, 1.124-1.660, p = 0.002) and the presence of enhancing mural nodules (OR, 67.383; 95% CI, 4.490-1011.299, p = 0.002) as significant predictors of malignant MCNs. The optimal tumor size differentiating benign from malignant tumor was 8.95cm, with a 70.6% sensitivity, 89% specificity, PPV of 27.6%, and NPV of 96.9%, demonstrating superior specificity than the guideline-suggested threshold of 4.0cm. For malignant BD-IPMNs, the presence of enhancing mural nodules (OR, 15.804; 95% CI, 4.439-56.274, p < 0.001) and CA 19 - 9 elevation (OR, 19.089; 95%CI, 2.868-127.068, p = 0.002) as malignant predictors, with a size of enhancing mural nodule threshold of 5.5mm providing the best malignancy differentiation. While current guidelines may be appropriate for managing BD-IPMNs, our results showed a notably larger optimal threshold size for malignant MCNs than that suggested by current guidelines. This warrants reconsidering existing guideline thresholds for initial risk stratification and management of MCNs.

Profile of Student Learning Persistence in South Sulawesi: Analysis of Age, Education Level, and Grade Level

This study aims to identify the academic persistence of students in South Sulawesi based on aspects of Age, Education Level and Grade level. This research uses Descriptive Quantitative research method. The subjects of the study were students from various schools in South Sulawesi at the junior high, high school and vocational levels totaling 1230 students. The research instruments are: The academic Persistence Scale refers to (Constantin, Holman, &amp;; Hojbotǎ, 2012) 12 items and developed by (Talib, Paramitha Hanafi, Fahmi Aufar, Irbah, &amp;; S, 2018) which divides into three aspects of persistence taken based on the concept motivational persistence i.e. Long-term purposes pursuing (LTPP), Current purposes pursuing (CPP) and Recurrence of unattained purposes (RUP) totaling 45 items, Data analysis techniques using ANOVA. The results showed that the academic persistence of students was in the high category, there were significant differences in aspects of students' current goals in persistence seen from their age. In the aspect of education level at the SMA/SMK/MA Equivalent and SMP/MTS levels, there is no difference seen from some aspects of Persistence and aspects of grade XII, class XI, class X, class IX, class VIII, and class VII levels, there is also no difference seen from some aspects of Persistence

PERCEPTIONS OF MSME ACTORS TOWARDS DISCLOSURE OF SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS (CASE STUDY ON MSME BONTOLOE, TAKALAR DISTRICT)

This study aims to examine differences in the perceptions of MSME actors on sustainability reporting disclosures. This difference in perception will be tested on environmentally sensitive MSMEs and non-environmentally sensitive MSMEs. Differences in the perceptions of MSME actors will then be tested on the compliance aspect; aspects of understanding sustainability; sustainable corporate governance aspects; aspects of political, environmental and social sustainability performance; and aspects of the economic performance of SMEs. The research population is the research sample used, consisting of 120 MSME actors consisting of 10 service MSMEs and 110 non-service MSMEs. The research data was processed using SPSS 25. The results of the study showed that there were significant differences in aspects of sustainable understanding, aspects of political, environmental and social sustainability performance, and aspects of economic performance between environmentally sensitive MSMEs and non-environmentally sensitive MSMEs, but there were no differences significantly to the compliance aspect and sustainable corporate governance aspects.

Effect of Additional Shrimp Shell Flour on Characteristics and Acceptance of Cookies

The objective of the research was to study analyze the effect of adding shrimp shell flour to the manufacture of cookies on consumer acceptance. Research using this experimental method was conducted at the Food Technology Science Laboratory, Nutrition Department, Poltekkes Palembang and the Lampung State Polytechnic Laboratory from August to November 2021. The consumer acceptance test was carried out on 30 moderately trained panelists to assess cookies which included aspects of color, taste, aroma and texture. The results of consumer acceptance with the Friedman showed that there were no significant differences in aspects of aroma and texture, but there were significant differences in aspects of color and taste. After the acceptance test was carried out, the next step was to do a proximate analysis test on the most preferred formula, namely formula 2, and protein content (13.6%), fats content (18.6%), carbohydrates content (43.2%), water content (3.7%), and ash content (11.7%). The results of the proximate analysis test were compared with SNI 01-2973-1992, from the results of the analysis the product met the quality standard requirements, but the ash content exceeded the SNI standard.

Maternal employment and child weight-related health

Several studies have documented a link between maternal employment and childhood obesity, but the mechanisms are not clear. This study investigated the association of maternal employment with children's weight status and detailed weight-related behaviors using data from Phase I of Family Matters, a cross-sectional, observational study of 150 children aged 5–8 from six racial/ethnic groups (White, Black, Latinx, Native American, Hmong, and Somali) and their families from the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN metropolitan area recruited in 2015–2016. Weight status (objectively measured), child dietary intake (three 24-h dietary recalls), physical activity (eight days of hip-mounted accelerometer data on children), and sleep (eight daily parent reports on children's sleep hours) were examined across four categories of maternal employment status: stay-at-home caregivers, working part-time, working full-time, and unemployed/unable to work. This study found that children's weight status and physical activity levels were similar across all categories of maternal employment. However, there were significant differences in aspects of children's diets by maternal employment status and, compared to children with stay-at-home mothers, children's sleep was significantly lower if their mother worked full-time. These findings highlight that dietary and sleep interventions tailored to the mother's employment status may be fruitful.

MIE BASAH SUBSTITUSI TEPUNG RUMPUT LAUT (EUCHEUMA COTTONII) DAN TEPUNG KACANG MERAH (PHASEOULUS VULGARIS L) SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF MAKANAN TINGGI SERAT DAN ISOFLAVON

Cardiovascular disease is part of heart and blood vessel disorders including stroke, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. One of the risk factors that increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease is hypercholesterolemia. Based on data from the 2013 Basic Health Research in Indonesia, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in the population aged more than 15 years is 35.9% and is a combination of the population in the borderline high category (total cholesterol value 200-239 mgdL) and high (total cholesterol value &gt;240 mgdL). This study aims to determine the effect of the formulation between seaweed flour and red bean flour on the quality of wet noodles which include aspects of acceptability and nutritional quality including organoleptic properties, fiber content, and isoflavone content. The design used is an experimental study with the research method used is hedonic test for testing organoleptic properties, enzymatic method for testing food fiber content and HPLC method for testing isoflavone levels. The formula of seaweed flour and red bean flour consists of 3 balances, namely F1 (70%:30%), F2 (60%:40%), F3 (50%:50%). From the results of the study, it can be concluded that there are no significant differences in aspects of color and aroma, but there are significant differences in aspects of taste and texture. As for the results of testing the fiber content of wet noodles substituted with seaweed flour and red bean flour, the balance of 70%:30% is 11.7 grams, the balance is 60%:40% is 14.4 grams and the balance is 50%:50% is 13.5 grams. The results of testing the levels of isoflavones in wet noodles substituted with seaweed flour and red bean flour balance 70%:30% 10.2 mg, 60%:40% balance 15.5 mg and 50%:50% balance 26.6 mg.

Structural, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties of Ge-DLC nanocomposite for biomedical applications.

Integrative production of new nanocomposites has been used to enhance favorable features of biomaterials for unlocking ultimate potential of different molecules. In the present study, advantageous properties of diamond like carbons (DLC) and germanium (Ge) like greater biocompatibility and antibacterial attributes were aimed to combined into a thin film. For this purpose, 400 nm DLC-Ge nanocomposite was coated on the borosilicate glasses via the magnetron sputtering and surface characteristics was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and The Raman spectrum. Biocompatibility analysis were performed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl) (MTT) cell viability assay and Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining genotoxicity assessments on the human fibroblast cell line (HDFa). Finally, antibacterial properties of DLC-Ge nanocomposite coatings were investigated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) bacterial attachment analysis. As a result of magnetron sputtering coating, nearly 400 nm thick DLC-Ge nanocomposite film showed a smooth, a non-porous, and a dense characteristic. Cell viability analysis showed that Ge-DLC coatings permits %95 cell surface growth of fibroblast cells. Also, there were no significant difference in aspect of nuclear abnormalities compared to the (-) control which showed nonmutagenic features of the thin film. Finally, antibacterial attachment analysis put forth that Ge-DLC coatings inhibits bacterial adhesion as %40 and %25 rates for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus bacterial strains, respectively. From these results, DLC-Ge nanocomposites could be proposed as a potential new biomaterial for various biomedical applications.

Comparative Study of Description in The Middle Eastern Bazaar and The Libido for the Ugly

The Libido for the Ugly and The Middle Eastern Bazaar are two important texts in Advanced English. Both of them are description. However, they show significant differences in aspect of objectivity, use of figure of speech and language features, etc. Through a comparative study of the differences between The Libido for the Ugly and The Middle Eastern Bazaar, this paper aims to help readers to improve their understanding of the two texts, so as to further help readers to deepen their appreciation of the textual features of classic descriptive texts.

A Study of the Impact of Internet Gaming on Aspects of Quality of Life and Flourishing of Young Undergraduates in India

The present study was conducted to study the impact of internet gaming on the quality of life and flourishing of undergraduates. For this purpose, 80 internet gamers and 80 internet non-gamers lying within the age range of 17-24 years were recruited. For assessing the extent of internet gaming, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) was utilized while for assessing quality of life and flourishing, the WHO Quality of Life – BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and Flourishing Scale were used, respectively. The results indicated significant differences in aspects of quality of life between the two groups. Further, the relationship of internet gaming with various aspects of quality of life and flourishing was also explored. The results reveal that internet gaming may indeed influence young undergraduates' quality of life and flourishing.

Effect of ileal orthotopic neobladder and ileal conduit diversion on patient's quality of life after cystectomy: a Meta-analysis

Objective To compare quality of life(QOL)in patients undergoing ileal orthotopic neobladder(IONB) or ileal conduit(IC)after radical cystectomy (RC), through a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Methods All relevant published studies about the comparison between IONB and IC using validated QOL questionnaires were searched, including CBM Disc, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, Pubmed, Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, dated from January 2005 to April 2018. Results Twelve controlled studies and 1207 cases were included. Five validated scales were Specific Scale(FACT-BL, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-BLM30, BCI), General Scale(SF-36). The Meta-analysis outcomes: IONB showed a signifcantly better QOL in patients versus IC (SMD=0.27, 95%CI=0.13-0.41, P=0.0002). Further comparison between dimension scores , pooled effects sizes of all FACT-BL aspects only a significant better PWE and FWB in patients with IONB. There were no significant differences in EWB, SWB and BSS. Also no significant differences in aspects of future perspective, abdominal bloating and flatulence, body image between IC and IONB groups using EORTC QLQ-BLM30. Analyzing BCI aspects, urinary function was significantly better in IC patients(P=0.003), no significant in urinary bother. Analyzing EORTC-QLQ-C30 aspects, only CF(P=0.03) was significantly better in patients with IONB. There was no significant in PF, RF, EF, SF and GQOL. Compared with all aspects of SF-36, there was only significant higher scores in PF(P=0.003) , IONB was superior to IC. Conclusions According to the not-random evidence, QOL after cystectomy undergoing IONB is superior than IC in some aspects. Key words: Cystectomy; Urinary Diversion; Quality of Life; Meta-Analysis

Reproductive Health Knowledge on Senior High School Students (General Private School and Religious Public School) in Deli Serdang Regency, Indonesia

The lack of knowledge among adolescents about reproductive health has made them become victims of sexual crimes, especially the females. School is one of the best socialization media for adolescents to overcome this problem through the addition of reproductive health subject in the curriculum. In Indonesia, there are two types of schools, namely public schools and private schools which have different education systems. Therefore, this paper wants to see the extent of the differences in reproductive health knowledge acquired by students of SMA Negeri 1 Delitua (general public senior high school) and SMA Swasta Harapan 3 Delitua (religious private senior high school). The results of this study indicate that there has been no difference in the level of reproductive health knowledge on students of private school and public school. This is discovered from the significant values of both schools. SMA Negeri 1 Delitua has value around 0.214 which is greater than 0.05 value. Meanwhile, SMA Swasta Harapan 3 has value of 0.209, which basically shows the same thing. These two schools also do not have significant differences in aspects of reproductive knowledge. Students get reproductive health knowledge from family, friends, girlfriends or boyfriends and social media. However, they acquire more information about reproductive health from social media because it is more comfortable for them and it does not make them feel embarrassed or insecure by their curiosity.

Depression and Quality of Life in People with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between depression and some aspects of the quality of life. As additional data, the researchers sought connections between demographic factors and the quality of life. This research used measurement implements in the form of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the LupusQoL. The participants involved in the research were 49 females aged between 18 and 45 years. The results of the research indicated that depression has a significant relationship with all aspects of quality of life, with the exception of the aspect of body image. The greater the depression, the worse the quality of life. Conversely, the lighter the depression, the better the quality of life. Besides this, the research also indicated a significant difference in aspects of the quality of life, on the basis of demographic factors. The conclusion from the research is that depression is an important matter for attention. By overcoming depression, a number of aspects of the quality of life of people with Lupus/SLE may be improved.

Value of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Thymoma with Myasthenia Gravis after Extended Thymectomy.

Background:The co-existence of myasthenia gravis (MG) and thymoma makes the surgical treatment more complicated and adjuvant radiation more controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate adjuvant radiotherapy for thymoma with MG after extended thymectomy.Methods:A total of 181 patients with both MG and thymoma were recruited between 2003 and 2014 at Tongren Hospital, China. Among all the patients, 157 patients received radiation therapy after surgery (Group A); whereas the other 24 patients did not receive radiation therapy (Group B). According to the time that patients started mediastinal radiation therapy, we subdivided the 157 patients in Group A into subgroups (1-month subgroup, n = 98; 2-month subgroup, n = 7; and 3-month subgroup, n = 52). We then compared the effect of the mediastinal radiation therapy across these different groups using the survival rate, the rate of postoperative myasthenic crisis, and the complete stable remission (CSR) rate as the primary endpoints.Results:There was a significant difference in the occurrence of postoperative myasthenic crisis between 1-month subgroup and Group B (χ2 = 4.631, P = 0.031). The rates of reaching CSR were 32.6% in 1-month subgroup, 25% in 3-month subgroup, and 22.7% in Group B, respectively. The overall survival rates of 1-month subgroup, 3-month subgroup, and Group B were 88.8%, 83.3%, and 77.3%, respectively. Analysis on the Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that within 8 years after surgery, there was no significant difference in aspects of overall survival and disease-free survival between 1-month subgroup and Group B, and between 3-month subgroup and Group B; over 8 years after surgery, the disease-free survival rates in 1-month subgroup, 3-month subgroup and Group B were 79.4%, 70.6%, and 55.3%, respectively.Conclusions:Adjuvant radiation within 1 month after extended thymectomy may be helpful in controlling postoperative MG, such as decreasing the possibility of postoperative myasthenic crisis, and raising cumulative probabilities of reaching CSR.

Comparison of robotic surgery with laparoscopy for surgical staging of endometrial cancer: a meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of robotic surgery in surgical staging of endometrial cancer. Methods: Searched English and Chinese databases, including Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Internet, data base of Wanfang, China Science and Technology Journal (CSTJ) , and relevant journals and magazines by hand from Jan. 2000 to Oct. 2016. (1) In accordance with the inclusion criteria, two independent investigators screened databases and extracted the relevant data respectively, then evaluated the quality of including studies in Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) . (2) Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3 software. Heterogeneity inspection was done for each study and different effect model included the random effect model and fixed effect model was chose according to the results: of the inspection. At last, the related parameters of the robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery was analysed. Results (1) Thirteen articles were ultimately included. All of them were written in English and included a total of 1 554 patients, included 739 cases of robotic surgery and 815 cases of laparoscopic surgery. Thirteen articles were all cohort study, four of them were prospective cohort study, while others were retrospective cohort study. After quality assessment, all studies had more than 5 stars and illustrated the higher quality. (2) Meta-analysis results showed: compared with laparoscopic surgery in surgical staging of endometrial cancer, robotic surgery had less estimated blood loss [standard deviation (SD)=-72.31 ml, 95%CI:-107.29 to-37.33, P<0.01], less time for hospital stay (SD=-0.29 days, 95%CI:-0.46 to-0.13, P=0.001), less need for blood transfusion [risk ratio (RR)=0.57, 95%CI: 0.33 to 0.97, P=0.040], and conversion to open surgery (RR=0.41, 95%CI: 0.26 to 0.65, P=0.000), less intraoperative complications (RR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.24 to 0.76, P=0.004) in surgical staging of endometrial cancer. There was no statistically significant difference in aspects of operative time (SD=10.26 minutes, 95% CI:-13.62 to 34.13, P=0.400), postoperative complications (RR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.12, P=0.280), the total number of lymph nodes removed (SD=-0.04, 95% CI:-3.99 to 3.91, P=0.980), the number of pelvic lymph node dissection (SD=0.48, 95%CI:-1.76 to 2.71, P=0.680) and the number of para-aortic lymph node dissection (SD=0.46, 95%CI:-1.42 to 2.34, P=0.630). Conclusions: Compared the robotic surgery with laparoscopic surgery in surgical staging of endometrial cancer, robotic surgery has less estimated blood loss, less need for blood transfusion and conversion to open surgery, less intraoperative complications and other advantages. While its cost is so expensive that restrict clinical application.

Effect of normal sperm morphology rate (NSMR) on clinical outcomes for rescue-ICSI(R-ICSI) patients

Purpose: To investigate whether the normal sperm morphology rate (NSMR) can affect the clinical outcomes of rescue-ICSI(R-ICSI) patients.Methods: Based on different NSMR, the patients were divided into two groups as follows: NSMR < 4% and NSMR ≥ 4% group. Main outcomes compared were fertilization, cleavage, normal fertilization, high-quality embryo, transferrable embryo, no transferrable embryo cycles, implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion rate. Some men’s and women’s basic parameters were compared between pregnancy and non-pregnancy group.Results: The basic parameter such as female age, endometrial thickness, infertility duration, Gn administration, Gn days, basal serum FSH and basal serum E2 found no significant difference between NSMR < 4% and NSMR ≥ 4% group (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in aspects of the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of transferred embryos, fertilization, cleavage, normal fertilization, high-quality embryo, transferrable embryo, no transferred embryo cycle, implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion rate between two groups (p > 0.05). Between pregnancy and non-pregnancy group, we observed no significant difference in the female age, the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of high-quality embryo, the number of transferrable embryos, Gn administration, Gn does, endometrial thickness, infertility duration, basal serum FSH, basal serum E2, sperm concentration and progressively motile sperm (p > 0.05).Conclusions: Teratospermia made no effect on clinical outcomes of rescue-ICSI(R-ICSI) patients.

Surge-Type Glaciers in the Tien Shan (Central Asia)

ABSTRACTSurge-type glaciers have been observed in several mountain ranges of the world. Though Karakoram and Pamir are the hot spots for the occurrence of surge-type glaciers in High Mountain Asia, few surge-type glaciers also exist in Tien Shan. These have not been studied or reported in detail in the recent literature. We have identified 39 surge-type glaciers and five tributary surges in Tien Shan either from available literature or by visual interpretation using available images from the period 1960 until 2014. Out of the 39 glaciers, 9 are confirmed as surge-type, 13 are very probably surge-type, and the remaining are possibly of surge-type. Most of the surge-type glaciers are located in Ak-Shiirak and Central Tien Shan. Compared with the normal glaciers of Tien Shan, the surge-type glaciers are larger, cover higher ranges of elevations, and have shallower slopes. There is no significant difference in aspect. The largest surge events were observed in Central Tien Shan: North Inylchek Glacier (years 1996/1997) and Samoilowich Glacier (years 1992 until 2006) advanced several kilometers. The surge cycle was around 50 years for both of these glaciers. The advance was less pronounced for all other surge-type glaciers during the period ca. 1960–2014. Some of the tributary glaciers behaved differently than the main glaciers in the sense that they continuously advanced during the entire period of our study, whereas the main glaciers have remained stable or retreated.

Application of controlled venous pressure in hepatectomy salvage liver transplantation versus primary liver transplantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of controlled venous pressure in liver surgery and further to compare the clinical outcomes of low central venous pressure (LCVP) by intraoperative anesthetic control (IAC). Methods Online databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials.gov, and China biology medicine database were comprehensively searched. After identifying relevant studies out of the search results, quality assessment was performed according to the methods recommended by the Cochrane collaboration. A meta-analysis was performed by both direct comparison and indirect comparison. Results Thirteen studies containing 702 patients were included. Compared with control, controlled venous pressure significantly decreased liver transected time [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-5.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): -7.68, -4.00, P<0.01], total blood loss (WMD=-346.28, 95%CI: -431.21, -261.35, P<0.01], blood loss during transaction (WMD=-718.42, 95%CI: -1 279.18, -157.66, P<0.01], transfusion rate [odds ratio (OR)=0.25, 95%CI: 0.15, 0.42, P<0.01], and total incidence of complications. Further analysis of inferior vena cava clamping (IVCC) and IAC showed that there was no significant difference in aspects of main clinical outcomes. Conclusion LCVP during hepatectomy is easy to control, decreased liver transected time, total blood loss, blood loss during transection, transfusion rate, and total incidence of complications. It has no detrimental effect to hepatic or renal function, and is beneficial for more rapid recovery of patients. Key words: Liver resection; Low central venous pressure; Meta-analysis

The Effect of Family-Centered Empowerment Model on the Quality of Life of Patients with Leukemia

Background: Leukemia is a common cancer among adults with growing prevalence in Iran. This disease affects different aspects of the patient, especially their quality of life. One of the methods to promote hygiene and health and, consequently, quality of life is to empower the family of the patient. Objectives: The effect of family-based empowerment on quality of life in patients with leukemia was studied in this research. Methods: This study was a clinical trial conducted on 46 adult patients with leukemia together with 46 of their family members in 2015. Eligible patients were selected by the available method and randomly placed in two groups of test and control. Tools for gathering data included a demographic questionnaire about the patient and their family member and a specified questionnaire about the quality of life of patients with cancer. Family-based empowerment intervention was held for research samples in the test group based on its quadruple steps (perceived threat, self-efficiency promotion, increase of self-esteem through educational participation, and assessment) in six 90-minute sessions and a second test was conducted a month and half after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 20 statistical software. Results: Results of chi-square test reflected that both groups of test and control were similar in terms of demographic information (P > 0.5). Moreover, statistical independent T-test did not show a significant difference in aspects of quality of life in test and control groups before the intervention (P = 0.98) while this test showed a significant difference in both groups after the intervention (P = 0.00), except for the spiritual aspect (p=0.2). Paired T-test indicated a significant increase in aspects of quality of life in the test group after the intervention (p=0.00) while this test reflected a reverse significant difference in general aspect of quality of life in the control group (P = 0.006). Conclusions: In general, results of this research showed that implementing family-based empowerment pattern has been effective for increasing quality of life in patients with leukemia.

Is it really good to talk? Testing the impact of providing concurrent verbal protocols on driving performance

Questions have been raised regarding the impact that providing concurrent verbal protocols has on task performance in various settings; however, there has been little empirical testing of this in road transport. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of providing concurrent verbal protocols on driving performance. Participants drove an instrumented vehicle around a set route, twice whilst providing a concurrent verbal protocol, and twice without. A comparison revealed no differences in behaviour related to speed, braking and steering wheel angle when driving mid-block, but a significant difference in aspects of braking and acceleration at roundabouts. When not providing a verbal protocol, participants were found to brake harder on approach to a roundabout and accelerate more heavily coming out of roundabouts. It is concluded that providing verbal protocols may have a positive effect on braking and accelerating. Practical implications related to driver training and future research are discussed.Practitioner Summary: Verbal protocol analysis is used by ergonomists to understand aspects of cognition and decision-making during complex tasks such as driving and control room operation. This study examines the impact that it has on driving performance, providing evidence to support its continued use in ergonomics applications.

Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) Versus Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) for Laparoscopic Hernia Repair: A Meta-Analysis.

To perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) with totally extraperitoneal (TEP) in regards of hernia recurrence, pain scores, operation time, time to return to usual activities, length of hospital stay, and total complications. Online databases including Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched with terms "hernia repair," "totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair," and "transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair," as well as the medical subject headings. Relevant RCTs were further analyzed using the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. A total of 10 RCTs enrolling 1047 patients were included. There was no significant difference in terms of hernia recurrence, pain scores, operation time, time to return to usual activities, hospital stay, total complications, and cost between the 2 groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that pain scores would be affected by many clinical factors, operation time was mainly determined by state and surgeon's experience. On the basis of current evidence, TEP as a modified and more complex laparoscopic procedure than TAPP, did not lead to a significant difference in aspects of clinical outcomes and complications. Therefore, we firstly recommended TAPP for laparoscopic hernia repair, especially for nonexpert surgeons. Further choices would be made according to the specific clinical characteristics of patients and surgeons.