To cope with unpredictably environmental perturbations and sometimes stresses, plants have evolved with some mechanisms so that these developing stresses can be sensitively perceived and the physiology can be rapidl...To cope with unpredictably environmental perturbations and sometimes stresses, plants have evolved with some mechanisms so that these developing stresses can be sensitively perceived and the physiology can be rapidly regulated. Such perception and regulation can be a kind of feed_forward mechanism and may involve many biochemical and physiological processes and/or the expression of many genes. Although many dehydration_responsive genes have been identified, much fewer of their functions have been known. Such stress_ induced responses should include the initial perception of the dehydration signal, then the complicated signal transduction and cellular transmission until to the final gene activation or expression. As an important plant stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) mediates many such responses. We believe that starting from the initial perception of dehydration to the gene expression leading to the stress_induced ABA biosynthesis is the most important stress signal transduction pathway among all the plant responses to stresses. Identification of the genes involved and understanding their roles during stress perception and physiological regulation shall be the most important and interesting research field in the coming years.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention,and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.Methods:A c...Objective:To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention,and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.Methods:A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted during November 2022 and January 2023.Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception of cardiovascular diseases,behavioural intention towards adopting healthy habits,and INTERHEART risk stratification score(IHRS)based on established risk factors.A total of 602 respondents were included in the final analysis.Data were analysed with independent t-test/one-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis to test the differences,Pearson correlation or linear regression test to analyze the association of independent and dependent variables.Results:There was a significant positive correlation between medical knowledge related to cardiovascular disease(CVD)and knowledge related to CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioural intention and IHRS(P<0.05,Pearson correlation).Notably,individuals with higher IHRS tended to have lower knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,and behavioural intention.Males,laborers,active/former smokers,individuals with lower household income and educational levels,those involved in occupations not related to the healthcare sector,and those who did not receive the CVD health brochure or are unaware of health self-assessment tools are likely to have lower levels of knowledge,risk perception,and poorer behavioural intention regarding cardiovascular health(P<0.05,one-way ANOVA).While educational level,smoking status,awareness about CVD poster,self-assessment tools were repeatedly significantly associated with knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioral intention and/or IHRS(P<0.05,linear regression).Conclusions:These findings underscore the importance of promoting cardiovascular health awareness and risk perception among middle-aged adults to foster positive BI and reduce CVD risk.Tailored interventions targeting specific risk factors identified by INTERHEART may enhance risk stratification accuracy and facilitate targeted preventive strategies.展开更多
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease encompasses a group of pregnancy-related disorders that derive from the placenta. Taking Leventhal’s Common Sense Model as a starting point, this study aims to investigate how illnes...Gestational Trophoblastic Disease encompasses a group of pregnancy-related disorders that derive from the placenta. Taking Leventhal’s Common Sense Model as a starting point, this study aims to investigate how illness perception could influence patients’ psychological adaptation to these rare diseases. Thirty-seven women completed: the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, the Beck Depression Inventory Short Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Fertility Problem Inventory. Results show that the perception of severe illness consequences significantly predicts the level of anxiety patients reported at the time of questionnaire completion. Furthermore, mental representations of illness present a significant association with infertility-related stress. Specifically, the belief in the efficacy of the treatment results in fewer feelings of discomfort and isolation from family and social context due to infertility-related problems. Since patients’ illness perception was found to have a specific impact on both anxiety and infertility-related stress, this variable should be considered in the planning of a clinical intervention.展开更多
Objective:To access the level of knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards adverse events following immunization(AEFI)surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province,China.Methods:This was a cross-section...Objective:To access the level of knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards adverse events following immunization(AEFI)surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province,China.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey involving 768 vaccination workers.Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed by using SAS 9.3 software.Knowledge,perceptions,and practice on AEFI surveillance were summarized using frequency tables.The mean±SD value was used as the cut-off for defining good(values≥mean)and poor(values<mean)knowledge,perceptions or practice.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine sociodemographic variables associated with knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards AEFI.Results:The proportions of good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance were 78.13%,57.81%and 66.15%,respectively.Having a higher education background,longer years of experience,previous training on AEFI and≥30 years of age were factors associated with good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance among vaccination workers.Conclusions:Over half of the respondents had good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance work.Interventions on improving the vaccination workers’knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance should be considered in order to develop a more effective surveillance system.展开更多
To explore the management orientation of employees in Malaysia and the United States, this paper focuses on comparing the leadership and stress perception of respondents in these two different countries. It appears th...To explore the management orientation of employees in Malaysia and the United States, this paper focuses on comparing the leadership and stress perception of respondents in these two different countries. It appears that Malaysians and Americans have a significantly higher score on the relationship-orientation than task-orientation. Similarly, the female respondents in Malaysia had a significantly higher score on the relationship orientation. Finally, the responses of these 216 Malaysian respondents were compared with the 87 Americans, demonstrating significantly higher scores for respondents from the U.S. on both orientations. For management and practical application, suggestions and implications for future studies are presented.展开更多
AIM: To study the association between self-reported peptic ulcer and childhood adversities.METHODS: The Health and Social Support Study (HeS-Sup) population consisted of a stratif ied random sample drawn from the Finn...AIM: To study the association between self-reported peptic ulcer and childhood adversities.METHODS: The Health and Social Support Study (HeS-Sup) population consisted of a stratif ied random sample drawn from the Finnish Population Register in four age groups: 20-24, 30-34, 40-44 and 50-54. The survey was carried out by postal questionnaire during 1998, with a response rate of 40.0%. A follow-up questionnaire was sent during 2003 to all those who responded to the f irst. Altogether 19 626 individuals returned the follow-up questionnaire; a response rate of 75.8%. The subjects were asked whether a doctor had told them that they have or have had peptic ulcer. The analyses covered those who responded aff irmatively to both the baseline and the follow-up enquiries (n = 718). Those not re-porting a peptic ulcer in either of the two questionnaires (n = 17 677) were taken as controls. The subjects were further requested (through six questions) to think about their childhood adversities.RESULTS: The most common adversities mentioned were long-lasting financial difficulties in the family, serious conflicts in the family, and a family member seriously or chronically ill. All the adversities reported, except parental divorce, were more common among peptic ulcer patients than among controls (P values varied between < 0.001 and 0.003). Age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR) of childhood adversities in the multivariate logistic analysis for self-reported pep-tic ulcer varied between 1.45 and 2.01. Adjusting for smoking, heavy drinking, stress and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use had no further influence (ORs between 1.22 and 1.73).CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that childhood adversities maintain a connection with and have a predictive role in the development of peptic ulcer.展开更多
Sexual health and behavior among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) have attracted attention in Japan and elsewhere. It has been reported that perceptions about sex are one factor leading to a reduction in H...Sexual health and behavior among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) have attracted attention in Japan and elsewhere. It has been reported that perceptions about sex are one factor leading to a reduction in HIV-preventive behaviors. This study investigated types of perceptions, termed self-talk, which allow HIV-positive Japanese MSM to permit themselves to participate in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). A package of internet surveys for MSM including 20 items assessing self-talk on UAI and condom usage in anal intercourse was administered in 2014. Data from 479 HIV-positive Japanese MSM were analyzed. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to reveal the factor structure of the self-talk. In addition, using the Kruskal-Wallis test, we examined the relationship between the types of self-talk and the tendency to have UAI. Factor analysis of 20 items assessing self-talk on UAI produced four dimensions: “Diversion/Desire for Stimulation,” “Optimism/Defiant Attitude,” “Denial of Concern of Transmitting,” and “Concern about Relationships.” The score of the subscale “Diversion/Desire for Stimulation” was significantly higher than the other three subscales. It was shown that there was a tendency for the self-talk assessed to be associated with the UAI frequency. The types of perceptions permitting UAI and the psychological stress of being an HIV-positive MSM in Japan were discussed. This study was the first to reveal the factorial structure of perceptions in reducing HIV-preventive behaviors among HIV-positive MSM in Japan. We found positive associations between certain types of self-talk and risky sexual behaviors. We provided recommendations for psychosocial support and HIV risk-reduction intervention for HIV-positive MSM.展开更多
BACKGROUND Liver transplant(LT)patients have become older and sicker.The rate of post-LT major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)has increased,and this in turn raises 30-d post-LT mortality.Noninvasive cardiac stress...BACKGROUND Liver transplant(LT)patients have become older and sicker.The rate of post-LT major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)has increased,and this in turn raises 30-d post-LT mortality.Noninvasive cardiac stress testing loses accuracy when applied to pre-LT cirrhotic patients.AIM To assess the feasibility and accuracy of a machine learning model used to predict post-LT MACE in a regional cohort.METHODS This retrospective cohort study involved 575 LT patients from a Southern Brazilian academic center.We developed a predictive model for post-LT MACE(defined as a composite outcome of stroke,new-onset heart failure,severe arrhythmia,and myocardial infarction)using the extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)machine learning model.We addressed missing data(below 20%)for relevant variables using the k-nearest neighbor imputation method,calculating the mean from the ten nearest neighbors for each case.The modeling dataset included 83 features,encompassing patient and laboratory data,cirrhosis complications,and pre-LT cardiac assessments.Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC).We also employed Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)to interpret feature impacts.The dataset was split into training(75%)and testing(25%)sets.Calibration was evaluated using the Brier score.We followed Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis guidelines for reporting.Scikit-learn and SHAP in Python 3 were used for all analyses.The supplementary material includes code for model development and a user-friendly online MACE prediction calculator.RESULTS Of the 537 included patients,23(4.46%)developed in-hospital MACE,with a mean age at transplantation of 52.9 years.The majority,66.1%,were male.The XGBoost model achieved an impressive AUROC of 0.89 during the training stage.This model exhibited accuracy,precision,recall,and F1-score values of 0.84,0.85,0.80,and 0.79,respectively.Calibration,as assessed by the Brier score,indicated excellent model calibration with a score of 0.07.Furthermore,SHAP values highlighted the significance of certain variables in predicting postoperative MACE,with negative noninvasive cardiac stress testing,use of nonselective beta-blockers,direct bilirubin levels,blood type O,and dynamic alterations on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy being the most influential factors at the cohort-wide level.These results highlight the predictive capability of our XGBoost model in assessing the risk of post-LT MACE,making it a valuable tool for clinical practice.CONCLUSION Our study successfully assessed the feasibility and accuracy of the XGBoost machine learning model in predicting post-LT MACE,using both cardiovascular and hepatic variables.The model demonstrated impressive performance,aligning with literature findings,and exhibited excellent calibration.Notably,our cautious approach to prevent overfitting and data leakage suggests the stability of results when applied to prospective data,reinforcing the model’s value as a reliable tool for predicting post-LT MACE in clinical practice.展开更多
Terminal kidney disease is a life threatening condition and cause for loss of hope to affected individuals. It affects the individuals physically as well as mentally. The advancement in medical knowledge and technolog...Terminal kidney disease is a life threatening condition and cause for loss of hope to affected individuals. It affects the individuals physically as well as mentally. The advancement in medical knowledge and technology in transplant surgery has steadily increased the number of kidney recipients. This offers hope for the new lease of life and a wide range of perceptions and experiences with self, society and the new organ. There is minimal research on perceptions and lived experiences of kidney transplant recipients. This study explored the perceptions and lived experiences of individuals with a kidney problem living with a kidney transplant in Shanghai, China. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with five clients. The participant’s age ranged from 25 to 45 years. There were three females and two males. Content analysis using NVivo (11.0) software was applied in data analysis. The findings revealed improved quality of life among kidney recipients;however the clients had low knowledge levels on the condition as well as self care practices in the post transplant period. This caused a lot of psychosocial stress in the clients. The post kidney transplant management strategies should include effective education programs to increase awareness on the condition and self care practices so as to reduce factors associated with psychosocial stress in order to improve the quality of life for the clients in the post kidney transplantation period.展开更多
Background: It has been suggested that childhood events increase the risk of suffering from an eating disorder (ED) in adolescence or young adulthood. Our study here aimed at investigating whether there was an associa...Background: It has been suggested that childhood events increase the risk of suffering from an eating disorder (ED) in adolescence or young adulthood. Our study here aimed at investigating whether there was an association between stressful childhood events and eating disorders later in life. Methods: Our population-based study was a part of the HeSSup (The Health and Social Support) postal survey in 2003, a follow-up survey with a random sample of working-aged subjects drawn from the Finnish Population Register in 1998. Participants in this study reported having been suffering from ED (N = 374), while controls (N = 18,639) reported no history of eating disorder in the questionnaire both in 1998 and 2003. The questionnaire included six questions related to childhood adversities. Results: Each childhood stressor increased the risk of developing ED cumulatively (one adversity OR 1.7 versus all six OR 8.3). Intrafamiliar conflicts (OR 2.0), being afraid of a family member (OR 1.5) or long-term illnesses in the family (OR 1.4) increased the ED-risk statistical significantly. Conclusion: Children exposed to stress are more likely to suffer from eating disorders as adults than those not exposed.展开更多
In the research, changes of apple chemistry, and molecule, under stresses, are n terms of morphology, physiology, bio- illustrated and research and identifica- tion methods of apple resistance are explored involving ...In the research, changes of apple chemistry, and molecule, under stresses, are n terms of morphology, physiology, bio- illustrated and research and identifica- tion methods of apple resistance are explored involving drought-resistance, flood-re- sistance, salt-stress resistance, cold-hardiness and heat-resistance. In addition prospects of apple resistance research are proposed, as well.展开更多
AIM To establish an experimental model of stress ulcer produced by explosive noise, and to probe into its mechanism and protection. METHODS The country standard Wistar white rats were randomly divided into control ...AIM To establish an experimental model of stress ulcer produced by explosive noise, and to probe into its mechanism and protection. METHODS The country standard Wistar white rats were randomly divided into control group ( n =8), which were neither stimulated nor protected, and stimulating group (divided into subgroups A, B and C, including 8 rats each which were decapitated to draw blood for test immediately, 12 hours and 24 hours after stimulation) and prevention group (divided into subgroups A, B and C, having 8 rats each, subgroup A was given cimetidine, B anisodamine and C both drugs). Firing noises of submachine guns were used as inflicting factor. The rats were fasted for 24 hours and stimulated by firing noise for 12 hours. The change of ulcer index, gastric mucosal and related serum hormones were observed. RESULTS Stress ulcer was significant in the stimulating group, and its ulcer index (8 6±0 6) was remarkably higher than that in both the control group and prevention group (0 3±0 1, P <0 01). Its serum gastrin (Gas ng/L , 294±163 vs 63±40, P <0 01) and endothelin (ET ng/L , 181±57 vs 135±42, P <0 01) were apparently higher than those in the control group, and its serum nitric oxide (NO) level was conspicuously lower than that in the control group ( ng/L , 0 2±0 1 vs 0 8±0 5, P <0 05), while the serum gastrin level ( ng/L , 556±225) in prevention group was distinctly higher than that in both the control ( P <0 01) and stimulating group ( P <0 05). There were no significant differences in the changes of ET and NO between the control and the stimulating groups. CONCLUSION Stress ulcer model of rats can be successfully established by the stimulation of explosive noise. Gas, ET and NO are related to the formation of stress ulcer, and play an important role in its mechanism. Hepatic function affected by noise is observed in this experiment.展开更多
Lipoxygenase 3 (LOX3) is a major component of the LOX isozymes in mature rice seeds. To investigate the role of LOX3 gene under stresses, a plant expression vector containing antisense cDNA of LOX3 was constructed. Ri...Lipoxygenase 3 (LOX3) is a major component of the LOX isozymes in mature rice seeds. To investigate the role of LOX3 gene under stresses, a plant expression vector containing antisense cDNA of LOX3 was constructed. Rice varieties Wuyunjing 7 and Kasalath were transformed by the Agrobacterium-mediated method and transgenic rice plants were generated. PCR and Southern blot results showed that the antisense LOX3 gene was integrated into the rice genome. Analyses of embryo LOX3 deletion and semi-quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the antisense suppression of LOX3 gene in transgenic plants. The T2 antisense plants of LOX3 were sensitive to drought stress, rice blast and bacterial blight compared with non-transgenic plants. These results suggest that the LOX3 gene might function in response to stresses.展开更多
The embryos of maize(Zea mays L.)inbred lines GS02,GS07,GS08,GS11 and GS15 were used as receptor materials to optimize the receptor system from the aspects of genotype,medium components and stress(PEG6000,mannitol,sal...The embryos of maize(Zea mays L.)inbred lines GS02,GS07,GS08,GS11 and GS15 were used as receptor materials to optimize the receptor system from the aspects of genotype,medium components and stress(PEG6000,mannitol,salt and low phosphorus).The results showed that GS07 had the highest induction rate(95.2%).Orthogonal test analysis showed that the best combination of medium components in induction was A2B3C1D3(2),namely,the concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid(2,4-D)was 4 mg·mL^(-1),the concentration of L-Proline(L-Pro)was 0.8 mg·mL^(-1),and the concentration of silver nitrate(AgNO3)was 10 mg·mL^(-1)(or 5 mg·mL).Interestingly,we found that the optimal medium supplemented with 30 g·L^(-1)PEG6000 or 80 g·L^(-1)mannitol was suitable for antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in GS07 callus.Exogenous 10 mmol·L^(-1)Ca^(2+)in the medium components with 100 mmol·L^(-1)sodium chloride(NaCl)could improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes in GS07 callus.Callus of GS07 could divide normally and grow well in medium components with 27 mg·L^(-1)KH_(2)PO_(4).This study enhanced the adaptability of maize callus to stress and optimized the culture conditions.展开更多
Background: Early life stress is a significant public health problem associated with increased rates of psychiatric disorders, especially those related to drug abuse. Objective: To identify the prevalence of early lif...Background: Early life stress is a significant public health problem associated with increased rates of psychiatric disorders, especially those related to drug abuse. Objective: To identify the prevalence of early life stress in drug users, to compare the intensity of trauma in alcohol and crack users, and to relate the power of injury to the severity of drug dependence. Method: Cross-sectional analytical study with a sample of 105 alcohol and crack users treated by an outpatient service. The instruments for data collection were sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the Severity of Dependence Scale. The categorical variables association was analyzed using the Chi-squared test, considering p Results: High prevalence of early stress and severity of dependence were identified, with higher rates among crack users. The early stress revealed in the Alcohol group high rates of emotional (88.7%) and physical (94.3%) neglect and in the Crack group significant frequency of physical (61.5%) emotional abuse (51.9%), sexual (46.2%), and emotional (78.8%) and physical (90.4%) neglect. Crack users are 2.6 times more likely to have been emotionally abused, and 2.1 times more likely to have been sexually abused during childhood when compared to the alcohol group. Conclusion: Early stress was prevalent with significant intensity in drug users, and evaluation of this problem is essential for a better understanding of these disorders.展开更多
The use of injectable agents for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence(SUI)is an option for female patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery,or have concurrent conditions or diseases that render surgical tr...The use of injectable agents for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence(SUI)is an option for female patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery,or have concurrent conditions or diseases that render surgical treatment unsuitable.To be effective for SUI,an injectable agent must be nonimmunogenic,hypoallergenic,biocompatible,permanent,nonerosive,nonmigratory and painless.It must also heal with minimal fibrosis,possess a long-term bulking effect,and be easily stored and handled.Glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine collagen(Contigen),silicone polymers(Macroplastique),Durasphere,calcium hydroxyapatite(Coaptite),polyacrylamide hydrogel(Aquamid,Bulkamid),Permacol,and stem cell therapy have been used as injectable agents.Patients must be informed that treatment with injectable agents is not as effective as surgical treatment,and that such agents might necessitate additional and repeated administrations in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.展开更多
文摘To cope with unpredictably environmental perturbations and sometimes stresses, plants have evolved with some mechanisms so that these developing stresses can be sensitively perceived and the physiology can be rapidly regulated. Such perception and regulation can be a kind of feed_forward mechanism and may involve many biochemical and physiological processes and/or the expression of many genes. Although many dehydration_responsive genes have been identified, much fewer of their functions have been known. Such stress_ induced responses should include the initial perception of the dehydration signal, then the complicated signal transduction and cellular transmission until to the final gene activation or expression. As an important plant stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) mediates many such responses. We believe that starting from the initial perception of dehydration to the gene expression leading to the stress_induced ABA biosynthesis is the most important stress signal transduction pathway among all the plant responses to stresses. Identification of the genes involved and understanding their roles during stress perception and physiological regulation shall be the most important and interesting research field in the coming years.
基金This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education(MOHE),Malaysia,through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS/1/2022/SKK10/UTAR/02/1)Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman,Malaysia,through UTAR-Research Grant(IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2021-C2/L08)MBBS Community Health Project(2022/2023),UTAR.
文摘Objective:To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention,and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.Methods:A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted during November 2022 and January 2023.Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception of cardiovascular diseases,behavioural intention towards adopting healthy habits,and INTERHEART risk stratification score(IHRS)based on established risk factors.A total of 602 respondents were included in the final analysis.Data were analysed with independent t-test/one-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis to test the differences,Pearson correlation or linear regression test to analyze the association of independent and dependent variables.Results:There was a significant positive correlation between medical knowledge related to cardiovascular disease(CVD)and knowledge related to CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioural intention and IHRS(P<0.05,Pearson correlation).Notably,individuals with higher IHRS tended to have lower knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,and behavioural intention.Males,laborers,active/former smokers,individuals with lower household income and educational levels,those involved in occupations not related to the healthcare sector,and those who did not receive the CVD health brochure or are unaware of health self-assessment tools are likely to have lower levels of knowledge,risk perception,and poorer behavioural intention regarding cardiovascular health(P<0.05,one-way ANOVA).While educational level,smoking status,awareness about CVD poster,self-assessment tools were repeatedly significantly associated with knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioral intention and/or IHRS(P<0.05,linear regression).Conclusions:These findings underscore the importance of promoting cardiovascular health awareness and risk perception among middle-aged adults to foster positive BI and reduce CVD risk.Tailored interventions targeting specific risk factors identified by INTERHEART may enhance risk stratification accuracy and facilitate targeted preventive strategies.
文摘Gestational Trophoblastic Disease encompasses a group of pregnancy-related disorders that derive from the placenta. Taking Leventhal’s Common Sense Model as a starting point, this study aims to investigate how illness perception could influence patients’ psychological adaptation to these rare diseases. Thirty-seven women completed: the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, the Beck Depression Inventory Short Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Fertility Problem Inventory. Results show that the perception of severe illness consequences significantly predicts the level of anxiety patients reported at the time of questionnaire completion. Furthermore, mental representations of illness present a significant association with infertility-related stress. Specifically, the belief in the efficacy of the treatment results in fewer feelings of discomfort and isolation from family and social context due to infertility-related problems. Since patients’ illness perception was found to have a specific impact on both anxiety and infertility-related stress, this variable should be considered in the planning of a clinical intervention.
基金funded by medical and health science and technology project of Zhejiang province (Grant number:2023KY633)
文摘Objective:To access the level of knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards adverse events following immunization(AEFI)surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province,China.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey involving 768 vaccination workers.Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed by using SAS 9.3 software.Knowledge,perceptions,and practice on AEFI surveillance were summarized using frequency tables.The mean±SD value was used as the cut-off for defining good(values≥mean)and poor(values<mean)knowledge,perceptions or practice.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine sociodemographic variables associated with knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards AEFI.Results:The proportions of good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance were 78.13%,57.81%and 66.15%,respectively.Having a higher education background,longer years of experience,previous training on AEFI and≥30 years of age were factors associated with good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance among vaccination workers.Conclusions:Over half of the respondents had good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance work.Interventions on improving the vaccination workers’knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance should be considered in order to develop a more effective surveillance system.
文摘To explore the management orientation of employees in Malaysia and the United States, this paper focuses on comparing the leadership and stress perception of respondents in these two different countries. It appears that Malaysians and Americans have a significantly higher score on the relationship-orientation than task-orientation. Similarly, the female respondents in Malaysia had a significantly higher score on the relationship orientation. Finally, the responses of these 216 Malaysian respondents were compared with the 87 Americans, demonstrating significantly higher scores for respondents from the U.S. on both orientations. For management and practical application, suggestions and implications for future studies are presented.
文摘AIM: To study the association between self-reported peptic ulcer and childhood adversities.METHODS: The Health and Social Support Study (HeS-Sup) population consisted of a stratif ied random sample drawn from the Finnish Population Register in four age groups: 20-24, 30-34, 40-44 and 50-54. The survey was carried out by postal questionnaire during 1998, with a response rate of 40.0%. A follow-up questionnaire was sent during 2003 to all those who responded to the f irst. Altogether 19 626 individuals returned the follow-up questionnaire; a response rate of 75.8%. The subjects were asked whether a doctor had told them that they have or have had peptic ulcer. The analyses covered those who responded aff irmatively to both the baseline and the follow-up enquiries (n = 718). Those not re-porting a peptic ulcer in either of the two questionnaires (n = 17 677) were taken as controls. The subjects were further requested (through six questions) to think about their childhood adversities.RESULTS: The most common adversities mentioned were long-lasting financial difficulties in the family, serious conflicts in the family, and a family member seriously or chronically ill. All the adversities reported, except parental divorce, were more common among peptic ulcer patients than among controls (P values varied between < 0.001 and 0.003). Age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR) of childhood adversities in the multivariate logistic analysis for self-reported pep-tic ulcer varied between 1.45 and 2.01. Adjusting for smoking, heavy drinking, stress and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use had no further influence (ORs between 1.22 and 1.73).CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that childhood adversities maintain a connection with and have a predictive role in the development of peptic ulcer.
文摘Sexual health and behavior among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) have attracted attention in Japan and elsewhere. It has been reported that perceptions about sex are one factor leading to a reduction in HIV-preventive behaviors. This study investigated types of perceptions, termed self-talk, which allow HIV-positive Japanese MSM to permit themselves to participate in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). A package of internet surveys for MSM including 20 items assessing self-talk on UAI and condom usage in anal intercourse was administered in 2014. Data from 479 HIV-positive Japanese MSM were analyzed. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to reveal the factor structure of the self-talk. In addition, using the Kruskal-Wallis test, we examined the relationship between the types of self-talk and the tendency to have UAI. Factor analysis of 20 items assessing self-talk on UAI produced four dimensions: “Diversion/Desire for Stimulation,” “Optimism/Defiant Attitude,” “Denial of Concern of Transmitting,” and “Concern about Relationships.” The score of the subscale “Diversion/Desire for Stimulation” was significantly higher than the other three subscales. It was shown that there was a tendency for the self-talk assessed to be associated with the UAI frequency. The types of perceptions permitting UAI and the psychological stress of being an HIV-positive MSM in Japan were discussed. This study was the first to reveal the factorial structure of perceptions in reducing HIV-preventive behaviors among HIV-positive MSM in Japan. We found positive associations between certain types of self-talk and risky sexual behaviors. We provided recommendations for psychosocial support and HIV risk-reduction intervention for HIV-positive MSM.
文摘BACKGROUND Liver transplant(LT)patients have become older and sicker.The rate of post-LT major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)has increased,and this in turn raises 30-d post-LT mortality.Noninvasive cardiac stress testing loses accuracy when applied to pre-LT cirrhotic patients.AIM To assess the feasibility and accuracy of a machine learning model used to predict post-LT MACE in a regional cohort.METHODS This retrospective cohort study involved 575 LT patients from a Southern Brazilian academic center.We developed a predictive model for post-LT MACE(defined as a composite outcome of stroke,new-onset heart failure,severe arrhythmia,and myocardial infarction)using the extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)machine learning model.We addressed missing data(below 20%)for relevant variables using the k-nearest neighbor imputation method,calculating the mean from the ten nearest neighbors for each case.The modeling dataset included 83 features,encompassing patient and laboratory data,cirrhosis complications,and pre-LT cardiac assessments.Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC).We also employed Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)to interpret feature impacts.The dataset was split into training(75%)and testing(25%)sets.Calibration was evaluated using the Brier score.We followed Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis guidelines for reporting.Scikit-learn and SHAP in Python 3 were used for all analyses.The supplementary material includes code for model development and a user-friendly online MACE prediction calculator.RESULTS Of the 537 included patients,23(4.46%)developed in-hospital MACE,with a mean age at transplantation of 52.9 years.The majority,66.1%,were male.The XGBoost model achieved an impressive AUROC of 0.89 during the training stage.This model exhibited accuracy,precision,recall,and F1-score values of 0.84,0.85,0.80,and 0.79,respectively.Calibration,as assessed by the Brier score,indicated excellent model calibration with a score of 0.07.Furthermore,SHAP values highlighted the significance of certain variables in predicting postoperative MACE,with negative noninvasive cardiac stress testing,use of nonselective beta-blockers,direct bilirubin levels,blood type O,and dynamic alterations on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy being the most influential factors at the cohort-wide level.These results highlight the predictive capability of our XGBoost model in assessing the risk of post-LT MACE,making it a valuable tool for clinical practice.CONCLUSION Our study successfully assessed the feasibility and accuracy of the XGBoost machine learning model in predicting post-LT MACE,using both cardiovascular and hepatic variables.The model demonstrated impressive performance,aligning with literature findings,and exhibited excellent calibration.Notably,our cautious approach to prevent overfitting and data leakage suggests the stability of results when applied to prospective data,reinforcing the model’s value as a reliable tool for predicting post-LT MACE in clinical practice.
文摘Terminal kidney disease is a life threatening condition and cause for loss of hope to affected individuals. It affects the individuals physically as well as mentally. The advancement in medical knowledge and technology in transplant surgery has steadily increased the number of kidney recipients. This offers hope for the new lease of life and a wide range of perceptions and experiences with self, society and the new organ. There is minimal research on perceptions and lived experiences of kidney transplant recipients. This study explored the perceptions and lived experiences of individuals with a kidney problem living with a kidney transplant in Shanghai, China. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with five clients. The participant’s age ranged from 25 to 45 years. There were three females and two males. Content analysis using NVivo (11.0) software was applied in data analysis. The findings revealed improved quality of life among kidney recipients;however the clients had low knowledge levels on the condition as well as self care practices in the post transplant period. This caused a lot of psychosocial stress in the clients. The post kidney transplant management strategies should include effective education programs to increase awareness on the condition and self care practices so as to reduce factors associated with psychosocial stress in order to improve the quality of life for the clients in the post kidney transplantation period.
基金Centre for General Practice,Pirkanmaa Hospital District has supported the work financially.
文摘Background: It has been suggested that childhood events increase the risk of suffering from an eating disorder (ED) in adolescence or young adulthood. Our study here aimed at investigating whether there was an association between stressful childhood events and eating disorders later in life. Methods: Our population-based study was a part of the HeSSup (The Health and Social Support) postal survey in 2003, a follow-up survey with a random sample of working-aged subjects drawn from the Finnish Population Register in 1998. Participants in this study reported having been suffering from ED (N = 374), while controls (N = 18,639) reported no history of eating disorder in the questionnaire both in 1998 and 2003. The questionnaire included six questions related to childhood adversities. Results: Each childhood stressor increased the risk of developing ED cumulatively (one adversity OR 1.7 versus all six OR 8.3). Intrafamiliar conflicts (OR 2.0), being afraid of a family member (OR 1.5) or long-term illnesses in the family (OR 1.4) increased the ED-risk statistical significantly. Conclusion: Children exposed to stress are more likely to suffer from eating disorders as adults than those not exposed.
基金Supported by Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation in China(ZR2011CM034)~~
文摘In the research, changes of apple chemistry, and molecule, under stresses, are n terms of morphology, physiology, bio- illustrated and research and identifica- tion methods of apple resistance are explored involving drought-resistance, flood-re- sistance, salt-stress resistance, cold-hardiness and heat-resistance. In addition prospects of apple resistance research are proposed, as well.
文摘AIM To establish an experimental model of stress ulcer produced by explosive noise, and to probe into its mechanism and protection. METHODS The country standard Wistar white rats were randomly divided into control group ( n =8), which were neither stimulated nor protected, and stimulating group (divided into subgroups A, B and C, including 8 rats each which were decapitated to draw blood for test immediately, 12 hours and 24 hours after stimulation) and prevention group (divided into subgroups A, B and C, having 8 rats each, subgroup A was given cimetidine, B anisodamine and C both drugs). Firing noises of submachine guns were used as inflicting factor. The rats were fasted for 24 hours and stimulated by firing noise for 12 hours. The change of ulcer index, gastric mucosal and related serum hormones were observed. RESULTS Stress ulcer was significant in the stimulating group, and its ulcer index (8 6±0 6) was remarkably higher than that in both the control group and prevention group (0 3±0 1, P <0 01). Its serum gastrin (Gas ng/L , 294±163 vs 63±40, P <0 01) and endothelin (ET ng/L , 181±57 vs 135±42, P <0 01) were apparently higher than those in the control group, and its serum nitric oxide (NO) level was conspicuously lower than that in the control group ( ng/L , 0 2±0 1 vs 0 8±0 5, P <0 05), while the serum gastrin level ( ng/L , 556±225) in prevention group was distinctly higher than that in both the control ( P <0 01) and stimulating group ( P <0 05). There were no significant differences in the changes of ET and NO between the control and the stimulating groups. CONCLUSION Stress ulcer model of rats can be successfully established by the stimulation of explosive noise. Gas, ET and NO are related to the formation of stress ulcer, and play an important role in its mechanism. Hepatic function affected by noise is observed in this experiment.
基金supported by the grants from the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2004CB117204 and No. 2006CB100200).
文摘Lipoxygenase 3 (LOX3) is a major component of the LOX isozymes in mature rice seeds. To investigate the role of LOX3 gene under stresses, a plant expression vector containing antisense cDNA of LOX3 was constructed. Rice varieties Wuyunjing 7 and Kasalath were transformed by the Agrobacterium-mediated method and transgenic rice plants were generated. PCR and Southern blot results showed that the antisense LOX3 gene was integrated into the rice genome. Analyses of embryo LOX3 deletion and semi-quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the antisense suppression of LOX3 gene in transgenic plants. The T2 antisense plants of LOX3 were sensitive to drought stress, rice blast and bacterial blight compared with non-transgenic plants. These results suggest that the LOX3 gene might function in response to stresses.
基金the Science and Technology Project of Jilin Provincial Department of Education[JJKH20210351KJ,JJKH20210346KJ]Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Plan Project[20200402023NC]。
文摘The embryos of maize(Zea mays L.)inbred lines GS02,GS07,GS08,GS11 and GS15 were used as receptor materials to optimize the receptor system from the aspects of genotype,medium components and stress(PEG6000,mannitol,salt and low phosphorus).The results showed that GS07 had the highest induction rate(95.2%).Orthogonal test analysis showed that the best combination of medium components in induction was A2B3C1D3(2),namely,the concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid(2,4-D)was 4 mg·mL^(-1),the concentration of L-Proline(L-Pro)was 0.8 mg·mL^(-1),and the concentration of silver nitrate(AgNO3)was 10 mg·mL^(-1)(or 5 mg·mL).Interestingly,we found that the optimal medium supplemented with 30 g·L^(-1)PEG6000 or 80 g·L^(-1)mannitol was suitable for antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in GS07 callus.Exogenous 10 mmol·L^(-1)Ca^(2+)in the medium components with 100 mmol·L^(-1)sodium chloride(NaCl)could improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes in GS07 callus.Callus of GS07 could divide normally and grow well in medium components with 27 mg·L^(-1)KH_(2)PO_(4).This study enhanced the adaptability of maize callus to stress and optimized the culture conditions.
文摘Background: Early life stress is a significant public health problem associated with increased rates of psychiatric disorders, especially those related to drug abuse. Objective: To identify the prevalence of early life stress in drug users, to compare the intensity of trauma in alcohol and crack users, and to relate the power of injury to the severity of drug dependence. Method: Cross-sectional analytical study with a sample of 105 alcohol and crack users treated by an outpatient service. The instruments for data collection were sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the Severity of Dependence Scale. The categorical variables association was analyzed using the Chi-squared test, considering p Results: High prevalence of early stress and severity of dependence were identified, with higher rates among crack users. The early stress revealed in the Alcohol group high rates of emotional (88.7%) and physical (94.3%) neglect and in the Crack group significant frequency of physical (61.5%) emotional abuse (51.9%), sexual (46.2%), and emotional (78.8%) and physical (90.4%) neglect. Crack users are 2.6 times more likely to have been emotionally abused, and 2.1 times more likely to have been sexually abused during childhood when compared to the alcohol group. Conclusion: Early stress was prevalent with significant intensity in drug users, and evaluation of this problem is essential for a better understanding of these disorders.
文摘The use of injectable agents for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence(SUI)is an option for female patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery,or have concurrent conditions or diseases that render surgical treatment unsuitable.To be effective for SUI,an injectable agent must be nonimmunogenic,hypoallergenic,biocompatible,permanent,nonerosive,nonmigratory and painless.It must also heal with minimal fibrosis,possess a long-term bulking effect,and be easily stored and handled.Glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine collagen(Contigen),silicone polymers(Macroplastique),Durasphere,calcium hydroxyapatite(Coaptite),polyacrylamide hydrogel(Aquamid,Bulkamid),Permacol,and stem cell therapy have been used as injectable agents.Patients must be informed that treatment with injectable agents is not as effective as surgical treatment,and that such agents might necessitate additional and repeated administrations in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.