University Affiliated Research Articles

The risk of asthma in singletons conceived by ART: a retrospective cohort study.

Do singleton children conceived by ART have a higher asthma risk than naturally conceived (NC) singletons? The asthma risk was similar for ART-conceived singletons and NC singletons, and there were no clear differences between the various types of ART. Whether ART increases asthma risk in offspring is questionable. The evidence is inconsistent and limited by ethnicity, geographic distribution, inadequate confounder adjustment, unsatisfactory control groups, and specific methods of ART. Furthermore, the mediating effects of obstetric and neonatal outcomes on the association between ART and asthma remain unclear. This observational, single-centre study was conducted at a reproductive centre of an affiliated university hospital between September 2009 and April 2023. A total of 3227 singletons aged 3-6 years conceived by IVF versus ICSI or fresh versus frozen embryo transfer were retrospectively enrolled, and a total of 1206 NC singletons of the same age were subsequently recruited. Asthma was defined as a self-reported physician diagnosis or wheezing in the past 12 months. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine associations between asthma in offspring and ART use, adjusting for parental characteristics (age, education level, occupation type, BMI, asthma), smoking exposure, residence type, child sex, child age, and year of follow-up. Mediating effects were explored using longitudinal mediation structural equation modelling. Asthma was reported for 51 (4.2%) of the 1206 NC singletons (median [interquartile range] age 5 [4-5] years; 48.1% females) and 169 (5.2%) of the 3227 ART-conceived singletons (5 [5-5] years; 47.6% females). We found that risks of childhood asthma in singletons conceived by ART were, overall, similar to those of NC singletons before (odds ratio [OR], 1.25 [95% CI, 0.92-1.74]; P = 0.170) and after adjustment (adjusted OR [aOR], 0.66 [95% CI, 0.44-1.03]; P = 0.126). The results were similar in multiple sensitivity analyses, and there were no clear differences in asthma risks according to the method of ART. Mediation analysis revealed a significant positive indirect effect of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (standard path coefficient, b = 0.025, P < 0.05) and a negative indirect effect of breastfeeding (b = -0.012, P < 0.05) on the association between ART and asthma in singleton offspring. This study is limited to singletons only and cannot be generalized. The study is also limited by its retrospective observational single-centre nature and sample size. Mediation analyses were exploratory. Therefore, the findings need to be interpreted with caution. These findings can help infertile couples undergoing ART be reassured about the risk of childhood asthma in singleton offspring. Breastfeeding is recommended as a potentially feasible intervention to reduce the asthma risks in ART-conceived children who are at increased potential risk of asthma, such as those with NICU admissions. This work was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province (2021C03100), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFC2700603), and the Program for Key Subjects of Zhejiang Province in Medicine and Hygiene to Y. Z., the Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation (No. LQ22H040006) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.82101759) to M.T., and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82201860) to J.Y. The authors declare no competing interests. ChiCTR2300069906.

#1543 Risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background and Aims Both obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common disease. Patients with OSAHS were evidenced to have oxidative stress, increased albuminuria and renal injury. Previous reports show high prevalence of OSAHS among CKD patients, while its risk factors are hardly investigated. The objective of this study is to assess the risk factors of OSAHS in patients with CKD. Method We selected 181 patients with CKD who were hospitalized in department of Nephrology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital from September 2020 to February 2023. All participants underwent full-night standard nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) monitoring in the sleep center using Alice 4, 5 or 6 devices. An apnea hypopnea index (AHI)&amp;gt;5 events/h was consistent with the diagnosis of OSA. The 181 Patients are divided into three groups based on the level of AHI to studied the differences of clinical and biochemical characteristics. According to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) risk categories, all patients are divided into non very high risk and very high risk group, logistic regression is used for analyzing risk factors of OSAHS in patients with CKD. Results The prevalence of OSAHS was 86.7% (157 of 181), with 29.8% mild, 30.9% moderate and 25.9% severe respectively. The urea nitrogen (P=0.039) and cystatin C (P = 0.030) levels in patients of severe OSAHS group were significantly higher than those within non or mild OSAHS group. The eGFR in non or mild OSAHS group was significantly higher than moderate OSAHS group (P = 0.036). Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between AHI (p = 0.022), ODI (p = 0.033), and hypopnea index (p = 0.004) of sleep parameters and eGFR, while a significant positive correlation was found between LaSO2 (p = 0.005), MaSO2 (p = 0.030), and eGFR. Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the hypopnea index was an independent risk factor for eGFR (p = 0.033, R2: 0.215), and CT90 was an independent risk factor for UACR (p &amp;lt; 0.001, R2: 0.105). Logistic regression analysis revealed that hypopnea index (OR = 1.058) was significantly correlated with very high risk in KDIGO risk categories (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion OSAHS is high prevalence in patients with CKD. Regression analysis shows that hypopnea index is not only an independent risk factor for eGFR but also a significant predictor associated with very high risk according to KDIGO risk category.

Risk stratification and survival time of patients with gram-negative bacillary pneumonia in the intensive care unit.

Pneumonia is a common infection in the intensive care unit (ICU), and gram-negative bacilli are the most common bacterial cause. The purpose of the study was to investigate the risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with gram-negative bacillary pneumonia in the ICU, construct a predictive model, and stratify patients based on risk to assess their short-term survival. Patients admitted to the ICU with gram-negative bacillary pneumonia at Fujian Medical University Affiliated First Hospital between January 2018 and September 2020 were selected. Patients were divided into deceased and survivor groups based on whether death occurred within 30 days. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in these patients, and a predictive nomogram model was constructed based on these factors. Patients were categorized into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups according to the model's predicted probability, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to assess short-term survival. The study included 305 patients. Lactic acid (odds ratio [OR], 1.524, 95% CI: 1.057-2.197), tracheal intubation (OR: 4.202, 95% CI: 1.092-16.169), and acute kidney injury (OR:4.776, 95% CI: 1.632-13.978) were identified as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. A nomogram prediction model was established based on these three factors. Internal validation of the model showed a Hosmer-Lemeshow test result of X2=5.770, P=0.834, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.791 (95% CI: 0.688-0.893). Bootstrap resampling of the original data 1000 times yielded a C-index of 0.791, and a decision curve analysis indicated a high net benefit when the threshold probability was between 15%-90%. The survival time for low-, medium-, and high-risk patients was 30 (30, 30), 30 (16.5, 30), and 17 (11, 27) days, respectively, which were significantly different. Lactic acid, tracheal intubation, and acute kidney injury were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients in the ICU with gram-negative bacillary pneumonia. The predictive model constructed based on these factors showed good predictive performance and helped assess short-term survival, facilitating early intervention and treatment.

Exploring over a decade of systems engineering research center: A community detection and text analytics approach

AbstractThe Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) is a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) of the US Department of Defense (DoD) formed in 2008 with more than 20 collaborator universities in the United States. Over the last decade, SERC has conducted research with Principal Investigators from universities within the SERC network, as reflected in technical reports (TR). These reports describe detailed information and analysis of the conducted research for every project under SERC support, such as written records of experiments or results of a scientific project. We analyzed the TRs from 2009 to early 2023 to identify research streams, topics, and evolution in systems engineering (SE) research using text mining and network analysis techniques, such as Louvain Community Detection and word similarity. As a result, we identified four major research streams over a decade of research projects, along with insights about topics and the evolution of SE within this time frame. Finally, we distinguished most profile authors and their most significant collaborations and networks.

Human Papillomavirus Carcinogenicity and the Need of New Perspectives: Thoughts from a Retrospective Analysis on Human Papillomavirus Outcomes Conducted at the Hospital University of Bari, Apulia, Italy, between 2011 and 2022.

The current manuscript's aim was to determine the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype-specific prevalence and distribution among individuals, males, and females, of different ages in the region of Apulia, Italy, highlighting the possible variables involved in the carcinogenicity mechanism. In addition, we proposed two hypothetical models of HPV's molecular dynamics, intending to clarify the impact of prevention and therapeutic strategies, explicitly modeled by recent survey data. We presented clinical data from 9647 participants tested for either high-risk (HR) or low-risk (LR) HPV at the affiliated Bari Policlinic University Hospital of Bari from 2011 to 2022. HPV DNA detection was performed using nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex real-time PCR assay. Statistical analysis showed significant associations for all genders and ages and both HR- and LR-HPV types. A major number of significant pairwise associations were detected for the higher-risk types and females and lower-risk types and males. The overall prevalence of HPV was 50.5% (n-4.869) vs. 49.5% (n-4.778) of the study population, of which 74.4% (n-3621) were found to be HPV high-risk (HR-HPV) genotypes and 57.7% (n-2.807) low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotypes, of which males were 58% and females 49%; the three most prevalent HR-HPV genotypes were HPV 53 (n707-15%), 16 (n704-14%), and 31 (n589-12%), and for LR-HPV, they were 42 (19%), 6 (16%), and 54 (13%); 56% of patients screened for HPV were ≤ 30 years old, 53% were between 31 and 40 years old, 46% were 41-50 and 51-60 years old, and finally, 44% of subjects were >60 years old. Our study provided comprehensive epidemiological data on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among 9647 participants, which could serve as a significant reference for clinical practice, and it implied the necessity for more effective screening methods for HPV carcinogenesis covering the use of more specific molecular investigations. Although this is a predominantly descriptive and epidemiological study, the data obtained offer not only a fairly unique trend compared to other studies of different realities and latitudes but also lead us to focus on the HPV infection within two groups of young people and adults and hypothesize the possible involvement of dysbiosis, stem cells, and the retrotransposition mechanism.

Association between long-term exposure to ambient ozone and sperm quality in Shandong Province

Objective: To evaluate the association between long-term exposure to ambient ozone (O3) and sperm quality. Methods: From January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019, healthy sperm donors were recruited through the Human Sperm Bank of Shandong University Affiliated Reproductive Hospital. A total of 37 977 sperm donation data from 2 971 healthy volunteers were analyzed. The average annual O3 concentration (0.01°× 0.01°) was matched according to household address. A multivariate mixed-effect model was used to analyze the exposure-response relationship between the average O3 exposure concentration and sperm quality in the previous year, with each donor as a random intercept. All results were presented as % changes with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all sperm parameters associated with 10 μg/m3 increases in O3. The effects of individual characteristics on the association between O3 and sperm quality were evaluated by stratified analysis. Results: The average O3 concentration in the year before semen collection was (107.09±7.50) μg/m3. Each 10 μg/m3 increase in O3 was associated with declined sperm concentration (-3.12%, 95%CI:-4.55%, -1.67%), total sperm count (-5.21%, 95%CI:-7.28%, -3.09%), total sperm motility (-1.49%, 95%CI:-2.37%, -0.61%), progressive motility (-2.53%, 95%CI:-3.78%, -1.26%), total motile sperm count (-5.82%, 95%CI:-8.17%, -3.41%), and progressively motile sperm count (-6.22%, 95%CI:-8.73%, -3.64%). Men aged 30 and above, obese, and with lower education levels might be more susceptible to the influence of O3 on sperm quality, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Long-term exposure to O3 in Shandong Province is associated with a decrease in sperm quality.

Identification of sepsis-associated mitochondrial genes through RNA and single-cell sequencing approaches

BackgroundSepsis ranks among the most formidable clinical challenges, characterized by exorbitant treatment costs and substantial demands on healthcare resources. Mitochondrial dysfunction emerges as a pivotal risk factor in the pathogenesis of sepsis, underscoring the imperative to identify mitochondrial-related biomarkers. Such biomarkers are crucial for enhancing the accuracy of sepsis diagnostics and prognostication.MethodsIn this study, adhering to the SEPSIS 3.0 criteria, we collected peripheral blood within 24 h of admission from 20 sepsis patients at the ICU of the Southwest Medical University Affiliated Hospital and 10 healthy volunteers as a control group for RNA-seq. The RNA-seq data were utilized to identify differentially expressed RNAs. Concurrently, mitochondrial-associated genes (MiAGs) were retrieved from the MitoCarta3.0 database. The differentially expressed genes were intersected with MiAGs. The intersected genes were then subjected to GO (Gene Ontology), and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses and core genes were filtered using the PPI (Protein-Protein Interaction) network. Subsequently, relevant sepsis datasets (GSE65682, GSE28750, GSE54514, GSE67652, GSE69528, GSE95233) were downloaded from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database to perform bioinformatic validation of these core genes. Survival analysis was conducted to assess the prognostic value of the core genes, while ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves determined their diagnostic value, and a meta-analysis confirmed the accuracy of the RNA-seq data. Finally, we collected 5 blood samples (2 normal controls (NC); 2 sepsis; 1 SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), and used single-cell sequencing to assess the expression levels of the core genes in the different blood cell types.ResultsIntegrating high-throughput sequencing with bioinformatics, this study identified two mitochondrial genes (COX7B, NDUFA4) closely linked with sepsis prognosis. Survival analysis demonstrated that patients with lower expression levels of COX7B and NDUFA4 exhibited a higher day survival rate over 28 days, inversely correlating with sepsis mortality. ROC curves highlighted the significant sensitivity and specificity of both genes, with AUC values of 0.985 for COX7B and 0.988 for NDUFA4, respectively. Meta-analysis indicated significant overexpression of COX7B and NDUFA4 in the sepsis group in contrast to the normal group (P < 0.01). Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing revealed predominant expression of these core genes in monocytes-macrophages, T cells, and B cells.ConclusionThe mitochondrial-associated genes (MiAGs) COX7B and NDUFA4 are intimately linked with the prognosis of sepsis, offering potential guidance for research into the mechanisms underlying sepsis.

Perceived Healthcare Priorities, Barriers, and Preferences When Selecting Private or Governmental Healthcare Services Among a Sample of University Affiliates from Saudi Arabia.

This study aims to measure the perceived healthcare priorities, barriers, and preferences when selecting private or governmental healthcare services among a sample of university affiliates from Saudi Arabia. This study utilized a cross-sectional design to reach targeted adults on the Jazan University campus. Data were collected during personal interviews. The questionnaires measured participant demographics, perceived healthcare priorities, barriers, and preferences when selecting private or governmental healthcare services. A chi-squared test was used to detect statistically significant differences between demographic and clinical characteristics according to preferences in their healthcare-seeking behavior. A total of 3083 university affiliates participated in this investigation. The mean age of the participants was 28 years, 49.6% of whom were males. Among the sample, 63% were students, and the remaining were university staff. The health condition perceived as most important was diabetes, and most of the sample viewed primary healthcare as the most vital service. The healthcare-seeking behavior of the sample indicated a higher preference for using governmental healthcare services. However, notable barriers related to the availability of appointments, long waiting times when visiting a healthcare facility, and healthcare costs were identified. Preference for private healthcare services was higher among females, expatriates, non-Arabic speaking affiliates, those with higher socioeconomic status, and health insurance owners (p-values < 0.05). Additionally, higher utilization of private healthcare services was noted among participants who frequently visit dentists and physicians and those performing consistent, routine medical checkups (p-values < 0.05). The findings indicate the importance of strengthening the role of primary healthcare to address the health needs required for preventing and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Additionally, enhancing access to and effectiveness of primary healthcare may reduce the impact of healthcare barriers associated with limited appointments and prolonged waiting times.

Evolving SARS-CoV-2 severity among hospital and university affiliates in Spain and Greater Boston

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus greatly affected healthcare workers and healthcare systems. It also challenged schools and universities worldwide negatively affecting in-person education. We conducted this study is to assess the evolution of SARs-CoV-2 virulence over the course of the pandemic. MethodsA combined cohort of University students in Spain and HCWs from the two hospitals in Spain, and one healthcare system in the Greater Boston area was followed prospectively from March 8th, 2020, to January 31st, 2022 for diagnosis with COVID-19 by PCR testing and related sequelae. Follow-up time was divided into four periods according to distinct waves of infection during the pandemic. Severity of COVID-19 was measured by case-hospitalization rate. Descriptive statistics and multivariable-adjusted statistics using the Poisson mixed-effects regression model were applied. As a sensitivity analysis, information on SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and COVID-19 deaths through May 30, 2023 from the Boston area was collected. ResultsFor the last two periods of the study (January 1st to December 15th, 2021 and December 16th, 2021 to January 31st, 2022) and relative to the first period (March 8th to May 31st, 2020), the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of hospitalization were 0.08 (95% CI, 0.03–0.17) and 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01–0.15), respectively. In addition, a relative risk 0.012 CI95% (0.012–0.012) was observed when comparing COVID-19 mortality versus SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/mL in Boston-area wastewater over the period (16th December 2021 to 30th May 2023) and relative to the first period. ConclusionsThe severity of COVID-19 and immunity of our populations evolved over time, resulting in a decrease in case severity. We found the case-hospitalization rate decreased more than 90% in our cohort despite an increase in incidence.

The predictive value of PFKFB3 in bladder cancer prognosis

6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase-3 (PFKFB3) influences cancer progression via participating in tumor aerobic glycolysis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of PFKFB3 in bladder cancer (BLCA) patients by analyzing a combination of publicly available databases, clinical patient data, and bladder tumor samples from our hospital. Single-cell and bulk RNA-seq data of bladder cancer, obtained from ENA, GEO, and TCGA databases, were utilized for our analysis. The results indicated that PFKFB3 mRNA expression was markedly elevated in bladder cancer compared to paired normal tissue. Furthermore, BLCA patients with high PFKFB3 expression exhibited a significantly worse prognosis (P < 0.05). To validate these findings, clinical data and immunohistochemistry staining were performed on specimens obtained from 89 BLCA patients who underwent radical cystectomy at either Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital or Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The findings from this verification process confirmed that high expression of PFKFB3 serves as a biomarker for predicting worse prognosis in BLCA patients (OR: 2.462, 95 % CI: 1.202–5.042, P = 0.012). To facilitate clinical application, we developed a nomogram based on four variables, including PFKFB3 expression, to predict the survival of BLCA patients. Importantly, this nomogram demonstrated a low mean prediction error of 0.03. Taken together, our findings suggest that PFKFB3 has the potential to serve as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for BLCA patients.

Effects of tumor marker regression load score on long-term prognosis of gastric cancer patients undergoing radical surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BackgroundThe effects of the dynamics of serum tumor markers (CA72-4, CEA, CA19-9, CA125 and AFP) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC) patients remain unclear. MethodsThe training set contained 334 GC patients from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital (FJMUUH) and 113 GC patients in Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital (QhUAH) were used as an external validation set. Tumor marker regression load (ΔTMRL) indicator, including ΔCA72-4, ΔCEA, ΔCA19-9, ΔCA125, and ΔAFP, is defined as [(postNACT marker– preNACT marker)/preNACT marker]. Tumor marker regression load score (TMRLS) consists of ΔCA72-4, ΔCEA and ΔCA125. The predictive performance of the nomogram-TMRLS was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve(AUC), decision curve analysis(DCA), and C-index. ResultsPatients from FJMUUH were divided into two groups, TMRLS-low and TMRLS-high, determined by R package maxstat. Survival analysis revealed a higher 3-year overall survival(OS) in the TMRLS-low than in the TMRLS-high group. The TMRLS-high group who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy(AC) showed a significantly higher 3-year OS rate than those who did not. Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that TMRLS was an independent prognostic factor for OS. A nomogram for predicting OS based on TMRLS showed a significantly higher C-index and AUC than the ypTNM stage. The above results were also found in the QhUAH external validation cohort. ConclusionTMRLS is a novel independent prognostic factor for GC who underwent NACT and a radical gastrectomy. Furthermore, the TMRLS-high group, who received postoperative AC, may achieve better survival outcomes. Notably, the predictive performance of the nomogram-TMRLS significantly outperformed that of the ypTNM stage.

The cross-race effect is mitigated by own-gender bias but not minimal groups or university affiliation

ABSTRACT Two experiments tested whether the cross-race effect (CRE) was mitigated more effectively by the own-gender effect (OGE) than minimal group manipulations. In experiment one, White participants were randomly assigned to one of two colour teams. They studied 16 faces (divided as follows: Black female, White female, Black male, and White male) half which were visually identified as team members. Face gender, via the OGE, but not colour teams mitigated the CRE in female participants such that White male faces were more accurately recognized than Black male faces, while White and Black female faces were recognized equally well. Experiment two replicated experiment one and tested whether university affiliation was a promising CRE mitigator. Again, only face gender mitigated the CRE in female participants. These results suggest that at least in White female participants the CRE may be more effectively mitigated by the OGE compared to commonly used minimal group manipulations.

Evaluating Alexandria University heritage buildings: a question of preservation, awareness and management

PurposeHeritage buildings are a witness to previous civilizations and constitute important elements in transmitting cultural identity through generations. In 1938, Alexandria University was established; it was called the University of Farouk at the time. In 1952, the university was named “Alexandria University,” and since then, it has witnessed growth and expansion in several fields. The research aims to preserve the heritage of this academic institution. It seeks to document this wealth of buildings that tell the story of the second-earliest university in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method approach was employed. A descriptive method was used to narrate the history of the university and the importance of its buildings. Within the quantitative approach, a questionnaire was chosen as the survey instrument for collecting the data within the research case study. The aim was to determine the awareness of students, staff and employees of the heritage importance of their faculty. Within the qualitative approach, several interviews were conducted with employees in the engineering departments of the university administrative building at Chatby and some of the selected faculties. The aim was to determine the methods used for the conservation of these buildings.FindingsAlexandria University has a heritage value not only in its great history but also through its heritage buildings. Raising the awarness of the university's affiliates of this heritage will lead to enhance the feelings of loyalty and belongings to the university. Therefore, preserving this heritage and properly managing it is crucial.Originality/valueUniversities have to recognize that their built heritage constitutes a unique expression that can create a distinctive sense of place. University heritage is crucial in defining and interpreting the university cultural identity. The institution must identify resources that will help build a new public image and contribute to develop a successful brand. Campus appearance is an important factor that has a significant impact on student feelings of loyalty and belonging.

Is there an advantage to delayed molar implant placement in those with chronic apical periodontitis?

This paper is a single-centre, double-blinded, prospective randomised control trial, comparing immediate vs delayed implant placement clinically and radiographically in patients with chronic periodontitis, specifically assessing the molar region. Seventy-four patients were recruited to the study over a one-year period, all of whom returned for follow up throughout the study. The study adhered to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and obtained ethical approval from the affiliated University Hospital of Qingdao. Written consent was gained from patients in line with the CONSORT guidance. The patients were recruited from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Qingdao between January 2019 and January 2020. The study included anyone above the age of 18, who had a molar with chronic apical periodontitis and lesions of less than 8 mm. Exclusions included pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, smokers, bisphosphonate use, history of head/neck tumours, coagulation disorders, and acute infections of adjacent teeth/tissue. Of the patients who met the inclusion criteria, all were randomly numbered by a stomatologist and placed into either the control group or the experimental group by a computerised system (Microsoft Excel). This study looked at the placement of 74 implants in 74 patients, including 40 female and 34 malepatients in total. The delayed implant placement allowed for healing of 3 months in the mandible and 6 months in the maxilla. The width of the implants placed was 6 mm and the lengths were between 7 mm and 12 mm.The periodontal probing depth, modified sulcus bleeding index, andmodified plaque index were all clinically examined. In terms of other parameters assessed, CBCT was used to look at alveolar bone mass. All surgery and implant placement was carried out by the same surgeon and the clinical measurements were all taken by one dentist. The results showed no significant difference in implant stability quotient immediately and 6 months post-surgery (0.110 and 0.066, respectively), when comparing the experimental and control group. Similarly, there was no significant difference in PD, mSBI or mPI between the groups. On assessment of CBCT scans however there was a significant difference between the two groups in the buccal horizontal marginal bone loss (P = 0.003), lingually there was not. Vertical bone loss also showed no significant difference in comparison. At one-year post-implant placement, there was a survival rate of 100% in both groups assessed. IBM SPSS statistics was used for statistical analysis. Multiple tests including the Shapirowilk test, the student t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test were carried out on the data and all statistical tests were two tailed. Statistical significance was set at <0.05 throughout study of results. The conclusion of this study suggests that immediate implant placement in chronic periodontitis patients, specifically in the molar region, may be clinically viable. With flap surgery and complete removal of inflammatory granulation tissue, the study suggests no significant disadvantage to alveolar bone healing or osseointegration. The various limiting factors of this study should be taken into consideration, and it must be highlighted that longer and larger studies are necessary to allow for more accurate understanding of the long-term outcomes.

Status of the Health Promoting University (HPU) globally and its relevance for emerging African HPUs: an integrative review and bibliometric analysis.

The Health Promoting Universities (HPU) concept is undertheorized, with no African university belonging to the International Network of Health Promoting Universities (IHPU). The study aimed to investigate the status of the HPU concept globally to inform emerging HPUs, more specifically in Africa, regarding its implementation. An integrative literature review of studies conducted between 1 January 2013 and 5 November 2023 was conducted from online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, CINAHL and Medline). A VOS bibliometric analysis viewer was used to extract and analyze further relevant information that could have been missed in the review. From 1128 records, 22 (N = 22) articles including two reports met the inclusion criteria. The main findings were that: (1) the HPU network is growing as a global network though undertheorized and less reported on, (2) the implementation of the HPU depends on a plethora of underpinning philosophies such as salutogenic and whole systems approach, and diverse programs and initiatives, 3) the terms HPU and healthy universities are often used interchangeably but the whole systems approach appears to be consistent in many HPU interventions. However, five contextual challenges that emanated from this review were discussed, including the definition of the HPU concept, theories for the HPU concept, measurement of the HPU concept, coordination and methods for measuring the HPU concept status. These challenges present obstacles to measuring the status of the HPU concept beyond the number of affiliated universities and HPU initiatives. Despite the challenges, the HPU concept is gaining momentum globally, as evidenced by the growing list of universities (HPU network) involved and the proliferation of interventions/initiatives targeting university students.

Key Indicators for Monitoring the Efficiency of Iranian Health System: A Synthesized Design Study.

A significant share of medical care, primary health care, and health-related education and research in Iran is provided by the Ministry of Health and its affiliated universities of medical sciences. We aimed to identify a set of key metrics for monitoring their efficiency in the four areas of medical care, primary health care, education and research. A combination of scoping review, expert panel and Delphi method was used. First, the relevant keywords were searched in the appropriate databases between 2000 and 2020. The final extracted indicators then reviewed, reduced and refined through the expert panel meetings. The last metrics were established following a three-stage Delphi study. Out of 2327 studies, 155 were selected following the different screening stages of scoping review. After summarizing and refining the indicators via several expert panel meetings and the Delphi method, a total of 36 key indicators were considered appropriate for measuring efficiency of the health system, 23 of which were for the sub-systems of public health (4 indicators), medical services (10 indicators), education (4 indicators) and research (5 indicators) and 13 indicators for the whole system efficiency. The set of indicators presented representing both the technical and allocative efficiency, might be a reliable basis for designing information systems and management dashboards for periodic monitoring of health system efficiency at national, regional and local levels.

Cultivating Cheer Dance Team Cohesion Factors Towards Team Performance Among Student- Athletes In Selected Universities In Anhui Province, China

The study analyzed the current situation of team cohesion among cheer dance athletes, in order to find out the factors that influence team cohesion and to help the cheer dancers navigate towards enhanced team performance and eventually results in improved competition results. The study was conducted to ten selected universities in Anhui Province in China based on garnered awards in cheer dance competitions. The respondents who were purposively were the 15- member cheer dance team of each 10 targeted universities or for a total of 150 cheer dance members and joined by 10 coaches or their assistant coaches . The study utilized a validated survey questionnaire to assess on team cohesion factor and team performance dimensions. The findings showed that cheer dance athletes were very cohesive. The assessment among the athletes were found to vary with sex, age , grade level and college affiliation. Performance of cheer dance athletes were found satisfactory among coaches, citing that prior learning, team goals, and positive attitudes are contributory factors to team performance. The correlation between team cohesion and the assessed level of team performance among cheer dance athlete-respondents were found strong and positively associated. It was inferred that the team members who work together, produce positive results, and lead to ensure long-term success for their performances. It reflects that transformation leadership play a pivotal role in putting cohesiveness among players in a competitive game. The study recommends that a program on teambuilding be developed to sustain cohesiveness.

Factors influencing the bariatric surgery treatment of bariatric surgery candidates in underdeveloped areas of China

BackgroundFrom year to year, the proportion of people living with overweight and obesity in China rises, along with the prevalence of diseases linked to obesity. Although bariatric surgery is gaining popularity, there are still several issues with its promotion compared to Western nations. Since less developed places in China are more widespread due to disparities in the development of different regions, there has been little exploration of the factors that might be related to acceptance of bariatric surgery in these regions.MethodsPatients who visited the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the North Sichuan Medical College Affiliated Hospital from 2018 to 2022 and had obesity or other relevant metabolic problems were surveyed using a questionnaire. The relationship between demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and acceptance of bariatric surgery was analyzed.ResultsOf 334 patients, 171 had bariatric surgery. BMI, education level, marriage history, medical insurance, family support, and a history of type 2 diabetes were all linked to having bariatric surgery, according to a univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, BMI (P = 0.02), education (P = 0.02), family support (P<0.001), medical insurance coverage (P<0.001), and history of type 2 diabetes (P = 0.004) were all positively associated with a willingness to have bariatric surgery. Among 163 non-bariatric patients with obesity, 15.3% were not opposed to surgery but preferred trying medication first, 54.6% leaned towards medical therapy, and 30% were hesitant. Additionally, a majority of patients (48.55%) often lacked adequate knowledge about weight reduction therapy. Age, height, gender, smoking, drinking, family history of type 2 diabetes, education, and marital status did not significantly differ (P > 0.05).ConclusionsMany patients are concerned about the safety of surgical treatment and the possibility of regaining weight. Due to the relatively high cost of bariatric surgery, they tend to choose medical treatment. To enhance the acceptance of bariatric surgery in underdeveloped regions of China, it is crucial to focus on disseminating knowledge about bariatric surgery, offer pertinent health education to the community, and foster support from patients’ families. The government should pay more attention to obesity and provide support in the form of medical insurance.

Preliminary Investigation Into the Effectiveness of Group webSTAIR for Trauma-exposed Veterans in Primary Care.

A substantial number of trauma-exposed veterans seen in primary care report significant symptoms of PTSD and depression. While primary care mental health integration (PCMHI) providers have been successful in delivering brief mental health treatments in primary care, few studies have evaluated interventions that combine mobile health resources with PCMHI groups. This pilot study assessed the potential benefits of webSTAIR, a 10-module transdiagnostic treatment for trauma-exposed individuals, supported by 5 biweekly group sessions delivered via telehealth. The transdiagnostic and mobile health nature of the treatment, as well as the therapist and peer support provided through group sessions, may offer an innovative approach to increasing access to patient-centered and trauma-informed treatment in primary care settings. Thirty-nine male and female veterans with trauma-related symptoms (i.e., PTSD and/or depression) participated in group webSTAIR. Mixed effects analyses were conducted to assess changes in PTSD and depression at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment. Baseline symptom severity was assessed as a predictor of module completion and group attendance. The project was part of a VHA quality improvement project, and IRB approval was waived by the affiliated university. Analyses revealed significant pre-to-post improvement in both PTSD and depression outcomes with a large effect size for PTSD (Hedges' gav = 0.88) and medium to large for depression (Hedges' gav = 0.73). Of participants who completed the baseline assessment, 90% began webSTAIR; of those, 71% completed the program. Baseline symptoms of PTSD and depression did not predict group attendance or module completion. Good outcomes and a satisfactory retention rate suggest that group webSTAIR may provide easily accessible, high-quality, and effective treatment for patients presenting with trauma-related problems without increasing therapist or system burdens. The results suggest the value of conducting a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of group webSTAIR relative to PCMHI usual care or other evidence-based, disorder-specific (e.g., PTSD) treatments for trauma-exposed individuals in PCMHI.

Lifestyle Satisfaction Among Jazan University Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring Lifestyle Choices and Influencing Factors.

Lifestyle includes habits, behaviors, values, attitudes, and economic levels that define an individual or group's way of living for people living in the same region at a specific time. In the last few decades, with urbanization and modernization, most adults, especially in Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, have adopted a sedentary, less active lifestyle. This study aims to assess lifestyle choices and satisfaction amongemployees of Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in the Jazan University campus in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through personal interviews conducted by trained medical students. A structured questionnaire was filled out during the interviews. DataanalysiswasconductedusingRsoftware(version4.2.3) (R Development Core Team, Vienna, Austria). This study involved 1126 employees of Jazan University, with a response rate of 75%. The occupational distribution was as follows: 576 (51%) in administrative positions, 516 (46%) as faculty members, and 34 (3%) as healthcare workers. In terms of physical activity, 488 (43%) engaged in less than 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, while 363 (32%) reported no physical activity at all. Regarding body weight satisfaction, 590 (52%) were satisfied, while 536 (48%) were not. Males reported a higher satisfaction in body weight, physical activity, and eating behavior. Dietary choices, such as eating fruits and vegetables, low-fat meats, and avoiding high-sugar foods, positively correlated with satisfaction in eating behavior and body weight.The assessment of satisfaction with body weight, physical activity level, and eating behavior indicates that some university affiliates are satisfied with their lifestyle despite having unhealthy lifestyle choices. The current findings indicate that Jazan University affiliates are experiencing a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, especially in terms of low levels of physical activity, selection of unhealthy food items, and overweight and obesity. This study should be followed up by interventional designs to investigated best evidence-based approaches for lifestyle behavior change, especially among aging populations such as university affiliates.