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Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024Modeling ecological patterns and processes often involve large-scale and complex high-dimensional spatial data. Due to the nonlinearity and multicollinearity of...
Modeling ecological patterns and processes often involve large-scale and complex high-dimensional spatial data. Due to the nonlinearity and multicollinearity of ecological data, traditional geostatistical methods have faced great challenges in model accuracy. As machine learning has increased our ability to construct models on big data, the main focus of the study is to propose the use of statistical models that hybridize machine learning and spatial interpolation methods to cope with increasingly large-scale and complex ecological data. Here, two machine learning algorithms, boosted regression tree (BRT) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), were combined with ordinary kriging (OK) to model plant invasions across the eastern United States. The accuracies of the hybrid models and conventional models were evaluated by 10-fold cross-validation. Based on an invasive plants dataset of 15 ecoregions across the eastern United States, the results showed that the hybrid algorithms were significantly better at predicting plant invasion when compared to commonly used algorithms in terms of RMSE and paired-samples -test (with the -value < .0001). Besides, the additional aspect of the combined algorithms is to have the ability to select influential variables associated with the establishment of invasive cover, which cannot be achieved by conventional geostatistics. Higher accuracy in the prediction of large-scale biological invasions improves our understanding of the ecological conditions that lead to the establishment and spread of plants into novel habitats across spatial scales. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the hybrid BRTOK and LASOK that can be used to analyze large-scale and high-dimensional spatial datasets, and it has offered an optional source of models for spatial interpolation of ecology properties. It will also provide a better basis for management decisions in early-detection modeling of invasive species.
PubMed: 38932949
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11605 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024With the COVID-19 pandemic going to be COVID-19 endemic, the negative impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of IBD patients cannot be ignored. This study aimed to...
BACKGROUND
With the COVID-19 pandemic going to be COVID-19 endemic, the negative impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of IBD patients cannot be ignored. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of anxiety and depression in IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze the factors associated with mental health.
METHODS
Patients registered at the IBD center were enrolled. Electronic questionnaires about the IBD patient's demographic information, basic knowledge of COVID-19, public self-prevention measures, daily life changes, and anxiety and depression were distributed.
RESULTS
Two hundred and fifteen IBD patients finished this study and reported to have anxiety (27%) or depression (34%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, 10.2% of IBD patients reported their diet changes, 58.5% of IBD patients changed their daily physical activities from 3.27 ± 3.252 h to 2.30 ± 2.78 h, 33.7% of IBD patients changed their sleeping duration from 7.99 ± 1.322 h to 8.18 ± 1.447 h. IBD patients' waiting time for admission (OR: 3.688, 95%CI: 1.003-13.554), regularly oral medicine administration (OR: 18.407, 95%CI: 1.975-171.530) and diet changes (OR: 6.167, 95%CI: 2.158-17.626) were positively correlated with anxiety or depression. IBD patients' timely periodic infusion of biological agents (OR: 0.586, 95%CI: 0.413-0.830) was negatively correlated with anxiety or depression. IBD patients' knowledge of COVID-19, public self-prevention, physical activities, and sleep duration changes showed no significant correlation with anxiety and depression, all values > 0.05.
CONCLUSION
The main factors of IBD patients' mental health were diet changes, waiting time for admission, taking oral medicine regularly, and timely periodic infusions of biological agents. Ensuring the supply of routine treatment and medication for IBD patients and establishing systemic online IBD self-management programs would be the focus of major public health events.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Middle Aged; Depression; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Anxiety; Surveys and Questionnaires; Mental Health; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics
PubMed: 38932786
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1416880 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024The issue of low consumption among rural households in China has a longstanding history, and the experience of infectious diseases may exacerbate the existing challenges...
OBJECTIVE
The issue of low consumption among rural households in China has a longstanding history, and the experience of infectious diseases may exacerbate the existing challenges in fostering consumption growth. However, studies that characterize the impact of infectious diseases on household consumption are limited in China. This study aims to explore rural household consumption responses to infectious diseases post-assessment, and identify the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS
A total of 1,539 rural households from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) datasets of 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 were recruited as the study sample. The presence of infectious disease experience was employed as the independent variable and household consumption as the dependent variable. A panel fixed effects (FE) regression model was initially employed to identify the influence of infectious disease experiences on rural household consumption. The instrumental variable (IV) method was used to address potential endogeneity between independent and dependent variables. Robustness checks such as Propensity Score Matching (PSM) test were employed to ensure the reliability of the findings.
RESULTS
The results reveal a statistically significant negative impact of infectious disease experiences on consumption over time, becoming no more significant at around 7-9 years post-disaster. This effect leads to more pronounced consumption deprivation for households with limited health insurance coverage and heightened healthcare resource constraints. The mechanism test indicates that infectious disease experiences affect the consumption levels of rural households through channels that include income constraints, the crowding-out of healthcare expenditure, and risk perception, with the precautionary savings motive acting as a moderator. Furthermore, the diminishing effect of infectious diseases on individual consumption surpasses that of natural disasters. Temporal discrepancy is observed in the impacts of infectious and chronic disease shocks on household consumption. The accumulation of liquid assets emerges as an effective strategy for households to mitigate the impact of infectious disease shocks.
CONCLUSION
The findings underscore the importance of integrating short- and long-term policies to bolster consumption capacity, strategically allocate inter-regional medical resources, and fortify the resilience of rural households against economic risks.
Topics: Humans; China; Rural Population; Family Characteristics; Communicable Diseases; Female; Male; Adult; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38932772
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1390432 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024To investigate the status quo of empathic fatigue, professional identity, and sleep quality of nursing staff in nursing institutions. To analyze the correlation between...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the status quo of empathic fatigue, professional identity, and sleep quality of nursing staff in nursing institutions. To analyze the correlation between empathic fatigue, professional identity and sleep quality of nursing staff.
METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study. The method of convenient sampling was used to select 224 nursing workers from the older adult's institutions in the Panjin area as the investigation objects. The nurses' general data questionnaire, the Chinese version of the compassion fatigue short scale, the nurses' professional identity Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used as evaluation tools. SPSS26.0 statistical software was used to sort out and analyze the data.
RESULTS
There was a positive correlation between empathic fatigue and sleep quality; there was a negative correlation between empathy fatigue and professional identity. Occupational identity and sleep quality were negatively correlated.
CONCLUSION
There is a correlation between empathic fatigue, professional identity, and sleep quality of nursing workers. Empathy fatigue is positively correlated with sleep quality. Empathy fatigue was negatively correlated with professional identity. Occupational identity was negatively correlated with sleep quality. To provide a theoretical basis for the management of older adult's nursing staff and the formulation of corresponding management systems and policies, promote the mental health of older adult's nursing staff, improve sleep quality, and provide a theoretical basis and reference for future intervention research.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Female; Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sleep Quality; Middle Aged; Compassion Fatigue; China; Empathy; Nursing Staff; Nursing Staff, Hospital
PubMed: 38932768
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1401044 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Jun 2024To examine the prevalence of comorbidities in Chinese urticaria patients and assess medication use patterns across different ages (6-11 years, 12-17 years, above 18...
To examine the prevalence of comorbidities in Chinese urticaria patients and assess medication use patterns across different ages (6-11 years, 12-17 years, above 18 years), a retrospective cohort study was performed in 192,647 urticaria patients within the Health Database. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 166,921 people were divided into the urticaria group and the control group, and the follow-up data were collected within 2 years. During the 12-month and 24-month follow-up period, significant comorbidities identified included allergic rhinitis and asthma, with distinct patterns observed across age groups. Chronic urticaria patients often have complications, such as allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory infection, oropharyngeal infection, and dental caries. The study underscores the need for age-specific treatment strategies in urticaria management.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Child; Male; Adolescent; Female; China; Comorbidity; Prevalence; Age Factors; Young Adult; Chronic Urticaria; Adult; Rhinitis, Allergic; Time Factors; Urticaria; Risk Factors; Propensity Score; Middle Aged; Databases, Factual; Asthma; East Asian People
PubMed: 38932592
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.24050 -
Cancer Science Jun 2024Cisplatin (CDDP) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic for osteosarcoma (OS) patients, and drug resistance remains as a major hurdle to undermine the treatment outcome....
Cisplatin (CDDP) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic for osteosarcoma (OS) patients, and drug resistance remains as a major hurdle to undermine the treatment outcome. Here, we investigated the potential involvement of FoxG1 and BNIP3 in CDDP resistance of OS cells. FoxG1 and BNIP3 expression levels were detected in the CDDP-sensitive and CDDP-resistant OS tumors and cell lines. Mitophagy was observed through transmission electron microscope analysis. The sensitivity to CDDP in OS cells upon FoxG1 overexpression was examined in cell and animal models. We found that FoxG1 and BNIP3 showed significant downregulation in the CDDP-resistant OS tumor samples and cell lines. CDDP-resistant OS tumor specimens and cells displayed impaired mitophagy. FoxG1 overexpression promoted BNIP3 expression, enhanced mitophagy in CDDP-resistant OS cells, and resensitized the resistant cells to CDDP treatment in vitro and in vivo. Our data highlighted the role of the FoxG1/BNIP3 axis in regulating mitophagy and dictating CDDP resistance in OS cells, suggesting targeting FoxG1/BNIP3-dependent mitophagy as a potential strategy to overcome CDDP resistance in OS.
PubMed: 38932521
DOI: 10.1111/cas.16242 -
Vaccines Jun 2024There is a knowledge gap concerning the proper timing for COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the suitability of the...
There is a knowledge gap concerning the proper timing for COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the suitability of the guidelines that recommend waiting at least three months after undergoing chemotherapy before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. This retrospective cohort study used aggregated data from the TriNetX US Collaboratory network. Participants were grouped into two groups based on the interval between chemotherapy and vaccination. The primary outcome assessed was infection risks, including COVID-19; skin, intra-abdominal, and urinary tract infections; pneumonia; and sepsis. Secondary measures included healthcare utilization and all causes of mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to calculate the cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for the outcomes. The proportional hazard assumption was tested with the generalized Schoenfeld approach. Four subgroup analyses (cancer type, vaccine brand, sex, age) were conducted. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for competing risks and explore three distinct time intervals. Patients receiving a vaccine within three months after chemotherapy had a higher risk of COVID-19 infection (HR: 1.428, 95% CI: 1.035-1.970), urinary tract infection (HR: 1.477, 95% CI: 1.083-2.014), and sepsis (HR: 1.854, 95% CI: 1.091-3.152) compared to those who adhered to the recommendations. Hospital inpatient service utilization risk was also significantly elevated for the within three months group (HR: 1.692, 95% CI: 1.354-2.115). Adhering to a three-month post-chemotherapy waiting period reduces infection and healthcare utilization risks for cancer patients receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
PubMed: 38932407
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060678 -
Vaccines May 2024The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines depends on widespread vaccine uptake. Employing a telephone-administered weighted survey with 19,502 participants, we examined the...
The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines depends on widespread vaccine uptake. Employing a telephone-administered weighted survey with 19,502 participants, we examined the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among adults in Texas. We used multiple regression analysis with LASSO-selected variables to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and intentions to receive the vaccine among the unvaccinated. The prevalence of unvaccinated individuals (22%) was higher among those aged 18-39, males, White respondents, English speakers, uninsured individuals, those facing financial challenges, and individuals expressing no concern about contracting the illness. In a fully adjusted regression model, higher odds of being unvaccinated were observed among males (aOR 1.11), the uninsured (aOR 1.38), smokers (aOR 1.56), and those facing financial struggles (aOR 1.62). Conversely, Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics were less likely to be unvaccinated compared to Whites. Among the unvaccinated, factors associated with stronger intent to receive the vaccine included age (over 65 years), Black and Hispanic ethnicity, and perceived risk of infection. Hispanic individuals, the uninsured, those covered by public insurance, and those facing financial challenges were more likely to encounter barriers to vaccine receipt. These findings underscore the importance of devising tailored strategies, emphasizing nuanced approaches that account for demographic, socioeconomic, and attitudinal factors in vaccine distribution and public health interventions.
PubMed: 38932330
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060601 -
Vaccines May 2024The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an urgent global response in vaccine deployment, achieving over 70.6% global vaccination coverage with at least one dose. This study...
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an urgent global response in vaccine deployment, achieving over 70.6% global vaccination coverage with at least one dose. This study focuses on Taiwan's vaccine administration and adverse event reporting, set against a global backdrop. Using data from Taiwan's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and global vaccination data, this study investigates vaccine safety and the public health implications of vaccination strategies from local and global perspectives. Taiwan's proactive approach, resulting in high vaccination rates, provides a case study for the monitoring and management of vaccine-related adverse events. This study offers insights into the safety profiles of various COVID-19 vaccines and further explores the implications of adverse event reporting rates for vaccine policy and public health strategies. The comparative analysis reveals that, while vaccination has been effective in controlling the virus's spread, safety monitoring remains critical for maintaining public trust. It underscores the necessity of enhanced surveillance and the importance of transparent and tailored risk communication to support informed public health decisions. The findings aim to contribute to the global dialogue on vaccine safety, equitable distribution, evidence-based policy-making, and development of mitigation measures with consideration of local demographics in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
PubMed: 38932320
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060591 -
Vaccines May 2024Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many children missed their routine vaccinations globally. There is insufficient evidence on the trends in vaccination coverage in the...
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many children missed their routine vaccinations globally. There is insufficient evidence on the trends in vaccination coverage in the private healthcare sector in South Africa. This study explored the changes in childhood vaccination patterns (non-COVID vaccines) in the private healthcare sector in South Africa using medicine claim data. Using the information on medication claims from a South African pharmaceutical benefit management (PBM) company, we performed a quantitative cross-sectional analysis comparing the period before (2018-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). All patients who made claims within the study period were included. This study included 67,830 children aged two years and younger. In particular, from 2018 to 2021, boys (52%) outnumbered girls (48%). Pharmacists consistently held the predominant prescriber role before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of children receiving non-COVID-19 vaccines was higher before the pandemic (60%) than during the pandemic (55%). Furthermore, there was a notable decline of 5% in measles vaccination rates during the children's first year of life, while a notable increase was observed for measles (5%), hepatitis A (7.7%), and the pentavalent vaccine (5%) during the second year of life. Governments and private healthcare providers must take action to enhance vaccination coverage rates for children in their first year of life to prevent a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The results obtained in this study underscore the significance of implementing vaccine catch-up campaigns to address missed vaccination opportunities arising from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, pharmacists emerged as the predominant healthcare providers responsible for administering vaccinations within the private healthcare sector in South Africa, both prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their pivotal role in the vaccination process warrants due recognition and should not be underestimated.
PubMed: 38932311
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060582