Unique Population Group Research Articles

Biotics and Children's and Adolescents' Health: A Narrative Review.

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the association of gut microbiota with health conditions and the potentially beneficial role of several types of biotics in several population groups, including children and adolescents. Children and adolescents comprise a unique population group due their rapid growth rates, high nutritional requirements, the immaturity of their immune system in early life, and their susceptibility to infectious diseases. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role and limitations of the administration of biotics in specific conditions affecting children and adolescents. A narrative review of related articles published on PubMed up to October 2023 was conducted. The administration of biotics has been evaluated in several health conditions among children and adolescents, such as the treatment and prevention of infectious diarrhea, the prevention of diarrhea after the use of antibiotics, the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis, the treatment of functional gastrointestinal diseases, such as infant colic, functional abdominal pain, and irritable bowel syndrome, the eradication of H. pylori, the treatment of ulcerative colitis and pouchitis, and the prevention of atopic dermatitis, and the findings indicate improved symptoms and various beneficial health outcomes. However, some limitations have been identified regarding probiotics' use. In conclusion, biotics may have a beneficial impact in several health conditions among children and adolescents. There is a need for additional randomized, controlled clinical studies on the effects of the administration of biotics in children and particularly in adolescents and young adults.

Ultra-Orthodox Telelearning During COVID-19: Parent, Teacher, and Principal Perspectives on Its Effectiveness

Aim/Purpose: This study addresses telephone learning channels during the coronavirus period in the ultra-Orthodox sector in Israel. The purpose of the study is to examine the effectiveness of the online and recorded telephone channels and the way they were perceived by the student’s parents and educators. Background: The ultra-orthodox society’s lack of use of online means has created many distant learning challenges for learners and educators. Methodology: The study combines quantitative and qualitative methods based on a comprehensive survey of parents of elementary school-aged children (N=395) and semistructured interviews (N=45) with parents, principals, and teachers in ultra-Orthodox schools. Contribution: The study describes a unique learning system in a unique population group, which does not use online means, from various points of view in the educational system. Findings: The results of the study indicate that parent attitudes toward telephonic learning – synchronous and asynchronous – are critical and that evaluations of its effectiveness are negative and ineffective. This evaluation stems from a variety of challenges faced by the learners: technical challenges related to the problematic infrastructure and terminal accessibility issues; didactic challenges related to adapting the learning style to the character of the students and their age; challenges arising from the characteristics of the medium: the lack of a visual dimension, its function as a one-way channel, and the lack of potential for effective interactivity; and the need for parental involvement and spatial challenges resulting from the crowded and limited learning space at home. Recommendations for Practitioners: Based on the research results, and in order to meet the challenges of a future pandemic or similarly disruptive crisis, telelearning spaces must be improved significantly. Recommendation for Researchers: The results can be used to examine how other unique communities, especially those that avoid the use of online means, are managing distance learning in a crisis. Impact on Society: It was found that telephone learning in ultra-Orthodox society during COVID-19 failed to realize the learning potential inherent in this channel for a number of reasons discussed in the article and failed to create the learning conditions necessary for telephone learning to succeed, as demonstrated in previous studies. Future Research: In a similarly disruptive crisis, future research should see whether or how telelearning spaces have improved or whether other learning methods have been adopted by the ultra-orthodox public.

Systematic review of perchloroethylene and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

We conducted a systematic review of epidemiology studies that evaluated the association between perchloroethylene (PCE) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). This included an independent detailed assessment of a few critical aspects of study quality (i.e., study design, exposure measurement, exposure levels, and potential confounding), and a consideration of other aspects of quality less formally. Of the identified 18 cohort studies of 15 unique cohorts, 17 case-control studies of 14 unique population groups, and 3 ecological studies, none was high quality for all four critical quality elements and each study also had other major methodological study limitations. Reported risk estimates were mostly null, ranged widely from below to above 1, and often had extremely wide confidence intervals (CIs), indicating unstable risk estimates. In addition, there was no consistent evidence of dose-response. Overall, given the low quality of the available epidemiology studies, the evidence does not support an association between PCE exposure and NHL.

Culture and Social Norms: Development and Application of a Model for Culturally Contextualized Communication Measurement (MC3M)

Studies of social norms are common in the communication literature and are increasingly focused on cultural dynamics: studying co-cultural groups within national boundaries or comparing countries. Based on the review of the status quo in cross-cultural measurement development and our years of experience in conducting this research among a co-cultural group, this paper describes a Model for Culturally Contextualized Communication Measurement (MC3M) for intercultural and/or cross-cultural communication research. As an exemplar, we report on a program of research applying the model to develop a culturally derived measurement of social norms and the factors impacting the norm-behavior relationship for members of a unique population group (i.e., ethnically Tibetan pastoralists in Western China). The results provide preliminary evidence for the construct validity and reliability of the culturally derived measurements. The implications, benefits, and shortcomings of the MC3M model are discussed. Recommendations for advancing both conceptual and measurement refinement in intercultural and cross-cultural communication research are provided.

Fashion brands are engaging the millennials: a moderated-mediation model of customer-brand engagement, participation, and involvement

Purpose Millennial generation is fashion inclined, interactive and informative social beings. They are very conscious of the brands they wear. Millennia seek, share, inform and exchange fashion brand-related information on social networking sites (SNS). Marketers are subsequently engaging the young prospects and customers to keep up or improve enthusiasm and participation. The study attempts to investigate the role of customer-brand engagement (CBE) of millennials with fashion brands on SNS. The study simultaneously tests the moderating role of involvement levels affecting participation and CBE leading to brand loyalty. Design/methodology/approach The study followed a purposive sample by collecting 466 respondents from the graduate students of a university. The study adopted structural equation modelling (SEM) and Hayes process macros in SPSS 20.0 to test the moderated-mediation model. Findings The study confirms the mediating role of CBE in the relationship between participation and brand loyalty. Different degrees of involvement moderate the mediating role of CBE. Higher levels of involvement enhance the positive effect of participation on CBE. Originality/value The study is first of its kind to investigate the role of CBE and involvement among the millennial group. It also contributes to the related theories like service-dominant logic, social exchange theory and consumer culture theory regarding a unique population group, which is promising and profitable.

Characterizing Interpersonal Influence for Grassland Conservation Behaviours in a Unique Population

ABSTRACTInterpersonal communication can influence the decisions people make about engaging in conservation behaviours. In-depth interviews with Tibetan pastoralists serve as the basis for examining interpersonal communication patterns and sources of interpersonal influence about grassland conservation behaviours. Herding and family groups are key collectives; salient sources of information vary across types of information. Salient individuals are those with credibility and means control: community leaders, elders, veterinarians, and government officials. Explicit information about conservation comes from religious leaders. The findings have significant implications for understanding the function and nature of interpersonal influence in unique population groups regarding conservation actions.

Subjective well-being of visually impaired older adults living in the community

ABSTRACTObjectives: Vision impairment is one of the most common disabilities among older adults, and it has a substantial impact on well-being. The present study constructs an integrative model to identify which variables derived from four dimensions of life (physical/functional, social, psychological and environmental) combined with sociodemographic variables explain the overall subjective well-being (SWB) visually impaired older adults living in the community.Method: A total of 121 severe visually impaired persons, aged 60 and over (M = 77.4, range 60–95), participated in the study. Personal, face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants at social centers or at their homes. Research tools consisted of valid and reliable questionnaires.Results: Five variables explained the older adults' variability in SWB: self-rated health, sense of meaning in life, functional independence in activity of daily living (ADL), sense of control of one's environment (Mastery) and the participant's age. The explained variance percentage was found to be high (61%). In contrast to expectations, social-environmental variables proved to be only of secondary significance in explaining SWB variability.Discussion: Variables derived from the psychological dimension appear more significant than the social-environmental variables in explaining SWB among visually impaired older adults. These variables should be considered when developing intervention programs intended to increase SWB within this unique population group.

Medical Consultation and Best Practices for Preoperative Evaluation of Elderly Patients

Preoperative evaluation of elderly patients is an important component of surgical practice in the 21st century. It can offer a comprehensive geriatric evaluation and be a key element in decreasing postoperative morbidity and mortality in this unique population group. Advanced surgical and anesthetic techniques have contributed to an increasing number of elderly and sicker geriatric patients undergoing surgery. Elderly patients have limited physiologic reserve and pose many challenges in the perioperative setting, and a careful preoperative risk assessment aimed toward minimizing operative risks is essential. Advanced age increases the risk of developing complications post-surgery, but comorbidities are more important than age alone. General recommendations include avoiding drugs that increase the risk of delirium, ensuring appropriate hydration and calorie intake, minimizing bed rest, promoting ambulation, and early planning for discharge. Collaboration between surgeons and medical consultants aids in the identification of functional, cognitive, and nutritional deficits, provides structure for development and implementation of management plans, and promotes optimal patient outcome after surgical intervention in the elderly.

ARDS IN THE POSTOPERATIVE CANCER PATIENT

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been described in postoperative patients with cancer for more than 2 decades. Although our understanding of this clinicopathologic entity has increased significantly, little therapeutic progress has been achieved, and the mortality remains high. Postoperative ARDS may be caused by cancer directly, by cancer complications, by treatment complications or unrelated diseases. ARDS is characterized by diffuse pulmonary microvascular injury resulting in increased permeability and thus noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Ventilation/perfusion lung studies have demonstrated that the predominant pathogenesis of hypoxemia in ARDS is related to intrapulmonary shunts. Common symptoms include dyspnea, tachypnea, dry cough, retrosternal discomfort, and moderate-to-severe respiratory distress. In most postoperative patients with cancer, the diagnosis of ARDS is one of exclusion. The mainstay of therapy for this syndrome is management of the underlying disorders causing it. To date, there are no specific pharmacologic interventions of proven value for the treatment of postoperative ARDS. Once the potentially treatable sources have been found and therapy for them started, the main treatment is supportive. The surgical treatment of patients with malignant neoplasms may be complicated by potentially reversible life-threatening insults to one or more organ systems. These insults may be the direct result of the neoplasm or a consequence of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. One of the most common insults found in postoperative patients with cancer is the development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The development of single and multiple organ failure after oncologic surgery (i.e., renal failure, respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock) has been recognized for decades. 6 Postoperative patients with cancer represent a unique population group with respect to prognosis and complications. This article describes some of the most recent and controversial issues in the diagnosis and management of ARDS in these patients.

Enhancing the Effectiveness of HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs Targeted to Unique Population Groups in Thailand: Lessons Learned from Applying Concepts of Diffusion of Innovation and Social Marketing

Diffusion of innovations theory and social marketing theory have been criticized for their limited applicability in influencing unique population groups ( e . g ., female com mercial sex workers ( CSW s ) working in low - class brothels ). This study investigated the applicability of these two theoretical frameworks in outreach efforts directed to unique populations at high risk for HIV / AIDS in Bangkok , Thailand . Further , this study examined Thai cultural characteristics that influence communication about HIV / AIDS prevention . The results suggest that certain concepts and strategies drawn from the two frameworks were used more or less by effective outreach pro grams , providing several policy - relevant lessons . Cultural constraints , such as the lack of visibility of the disease and traditional sexual practices , influenced communi cation about HIV / AIDS prevention .

Diffusion of innovations theory and effective targeting of HIV/AIDS programmes in Thailand

This article investigates the applicability of diffusion of innovations theory in targeting unique populations at high‐risk for HIV/AIDS in Bangkok, Thailand. The diffusion of innovations theoretical framework, especially as it applies to targeting unique population groups, is discussed. An overview of the research site, Bangkok, is provided, followed by a discussion of the data collection procedures employed. As part of the site description, a history of HIV and AIDS in Thailand is presented, which examines the sociocultural context of targeting information to unique populations in Bangkok. Following the study findings, the implications of employing diffusion of innovations theory to effectively target unique populations at high‐risk for HIV/ AIDS are discussed.

ARDS in the postoperative cancer patient.

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been described in postoperative patients with cancer for more than 2 decades. Although our understanding of this clinicopathologic entity has increased sigruficantly, little therapeutic progress has been achieved, and the mortality remains high. Postoperative ARDS may be caused by cancer directly, by cancer complications, by treatment complications or unrelated diseases. ARDS is characterized by diffuse pulmonary microvascular injury resulting in increased permeability and thus noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Ventilation/perfusion lung studies have demonstrated that the predominant pathogenesis of hypoxemia in ARDS is related to intrapulmonary shunts. Common symptoms include dyspnea, tachypnea, dry cough, retrostemal discomfort, and moderate-to-severe respiratory distress. h most postoperative patients with cancer, the diagnosis of ARDS is one of exclusion. The mainstay of therapy for this syndrome is management of the underlying disorders causing it. To date, there are no specific pharmacologic interventions of proven value for the treatment of postoperative ARDS. Once the potentially treatable sources have been found and therapy for them started, the main treatment is supportive. The surgical treatment of patients with malignant neoplasms may be complicated by potentially reversible life-threatening insults to one or more organ systems. These insults may be the direct result of the neoplasm or a consequence of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. One of the most common insults found in postoperative patients with cancer is the development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The development of single and multiple organ failure after oncologic surgery (Le., renal failure, respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock) has been recognized for decades? Postoperative patients with cancer represent a unique population group with respect to prognosis and complications. This article describes

Respecifying the Social Marketing Model for Unique Populations

Social marketing strategies are deployed in social change campaigns around the world. Yet the usefulness of social marketing strategies to affect behavior change among unique population members is not well known. Social marketing is efficient and cost-effective when a campaign targets a sufficiently large audience so as to achieve economies of scale. Unique population groups, however, typically consist of few members. How can efficiency be achieved with small target audiences? To solve this conundrum we suggest that certain social marketing strategies (environmental mapping, formative evaluation, interpersonal communication channels, and the nonmonetary costs of adoption) should be emphasized, and others (program management and target audience segmentation) deemphasized, in program design. We use examples drawn from a recent study of HIV prevention programs in San Francisco to illustrate this point.

The association of oral status with systemic health, quality of life, and economic productivity

It is well established that many systemic adverse health conditions have manifestations in the oral cavity. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the available scientific evidence that describes the opposite effect, how adverse oral health conditions affect three aspects of daily living: 1) systemic health, 2) quality of life, and 3) economic productivity. Examples of oral health affecting systemic health include rheumatic fever patients who develop infective endocarditis from oral bacteria and organ transplant patients who develop severe complications from oral infections. Both systemic health and quality of life are compromised when edentulousness, xerostomia, soft tissue lesions, or poorly fitting dentures affect eating and food choices. Conditions such as oral clefts, missing teeth, severe malocclusion, or severe caries are associated with feelings of embarrassment, withdrawal, and anxiety. Oral and facial pain from dentures, temporomandibular joint disorders, and oral infections affect social interaction and daily behaviors. The results of oral disorders can be felt not only physically and socially but also economically in our society. Dental disease accounts for many lost work and school days. Lower wage earners and minorities are disproportionately affected. Although there are many studies that evaluate these relationships, most are case reports, cross-sectional studies, or studies restricted to small or unique population groups. Lack of standardized measurements make comparisons across studies difficult. More population-based and longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the nature of these relationships.