The Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Five Nivanini Species (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Evacanthinae) With Phylogenetic Analysis.

To delve deeper into the phylogenetic relationships within Cicadellidae and the taxonomic arrangement of Evacanthinae, our study focuses on the mitochondrial genome sequencing of five Nivanini species: Extensus latus, Concavepiana hamulusa, Sophonia nigrilineata, Sophonia microstaina, and Sophonia fuscomarginata. The results showed that the length of the five mitochondrial genomes ranged from 15,610 to 16,032 bp and included 37 typical genes. The A + T content of Nivanini ranged from 72.5% to 78.7%, which is consistent with that of other sequenced Evacanthinae species. All transfer RNAs (tRNAs) exhibit the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS (AGY), which lacks the dihydrouracil (DHU) arm. With regard to protein-coding genes, all started with ATN codons, except for atp8, and most of them use TAA or TAG as termination codons. Using the Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, a phylogenetic tree based on all 37 genes was constructed, with a total of 57 Cicadellidae species and two outgroups included as research objects. The analyses confirmed the monophyletic nature of each subfamily, highlighting Deltocephalinae as the oldest, distinctively parallel to the others.

Comparative Analysis of the Codon Usage Pattern in the Chloroplast Genomes of Gnetales Species.

Codon usage bias refers to the preferential use of synonymous codons, a widespread phenomenon found in bacteria, plants, and animals. Codon bias varies among species, families, and groups within kingdoms and between genes within an organism. Codon usage bias (CUB) analysis sheds light on the evolutionary dynamics of various species and optimizes targeted gene expression in heterologous host plants. As a significant order of gymnosperms, species within Gnetales possess extremely high ecological and pharmaceutical values. However, comprehensive analyses of CUB within the chloroplast genomes of Gnetales species remain unexplored. A systematic analysis was conducted to elucidate the codon usage patterns in 13 diverse Gnetales species based on the chloroplast genomes. Our results revealed that chloroplast coding sequences (cp CDSs) in 13 Gnetales species display a marked preference for AT bases and A/T-ending codons. A total of 20 predominantly high-frequency codons and between 2 and 7 optimal codons were identified across these species. The findings from the ENC-plot, PR2-plot, and neutrality analyses suggested that both mutation pressure and natural selection exert influence on the codon bias in these 13 Gnetales species, with natural selection emerging as the predominant influence. Correspondence analysis (COA) demonstrated variation in the codon usage patterns among the Gnetales species and indicated mutation pressure is another factor that could impact CUB. Additionally, our research identified a positive correlation between the measure of idiosyncratic codon usage level of conservatism (MILC) and synonymous codon usage order (SCUO) values, indicative of CUB's potential influence on gene expression. The comparative analysis concerning codon usage frequencies among the 13 Gnetales species and 4 model organisms revealed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana tabacum were the optimal exogenous expression hosts. Furthermore, the cluster and phylogenetic analyses illustrated distinct patterns of differentiation, implying that codons, even with weak or neutral preferences, could affect the evolutionary trajectories of these species. Our results reveal the characteristics of codon usage patterns and contribute to an enhanced comprehension of evolutionary mechanisms in Gnetales species.

Sturnidae sensu lato Mitogenomics: Novel Insights into Codon Aversion, Selection, and Phylogeny.

The Sturnidae family comprises 123 recognized species in 35 genera. The taxa Mimidae and Buphagidae were formerly treated as subfamilies within Sturnidae. The phylogenetic relationships among the Sturnidae and related taxa (Sturnidae sensu lato) remain unresolved due to high rates of morphological change and concomitant morphological homoplasy. This study presents five new mitogenomes of Sturnidae sensu lato and comprehensive mitogenomic analyses. The investigated mitogenomes exhibit an identical gene composition of 37 genes-including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes-and one control region (CR). The most important finding of this study is drawn from CAM analyses. The surprisingly unique motifs for each species provide a new direction for the molecular species identification of avian. Furthermore, the pervasiveness of the natural selection of PCGs is found in all examined species when analyzing their nucleotide composition and codon usage. We also determine the structures of mt-tRNA, mt-rRNA, and CR structures of Sturnidae sensu lato. Lastly, our phylogenetic analyses not only well support the monophyly of Sturnidae, Mimidae, and Buphagidae, but also define nine stable subclades. Taken together, our findings will enable the further elucidation of the evolutionary relationships within Sturnidae sensu lato.

The association between visual impairment, educational outcomes, and mental health: insights from eyeglasses usage among junior high school students in rural China.

This study examined the association between visual impairment, visual impairment corrected by wearing eyeglasses, academic performance, and mental health among junior high school students in rural China. Visual acuity assessments were conducted on 19,425 junior high school students by trained medical and research professionals to determine the presence of visual impairment. All sample students were surveyed with a questionnaire that asked about individual and family characteristics, eyeglasses ownership, and educational aspirations and included a standardized math test. Students then completed an official Chinese simplified version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess their mental health multidimensionally. Among our sample, 37.2% of them suffered from visual impairment, but only 43.4% of the visually impaired students wore proper eyeglasses. Approximately 9.3% of students were categorized as high risk for mental health problems based on their SDQ score. A significant positive association existed between impaired vision and poorer mental health, and eyeglasses usage was associated with better mental health among visually impaired students. For students with better academic performance, eyeglasses usage associated with better mental health. Eyeglasses usage shows a positive association with higher education aspiration both for students with better and worse academic performance. The significant positive relationship between eyeglasses usage and mental health may guide future interventions and policies designed to improve student mental health by supplying them with eyeglasses.

Cochlear implant usage in single sided deafness and factors affecting usage.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to examine duration of daily cochlear implant (CI) usage at 12 and 24 months post-operatively in single sided deafness (SSD). The secondary objective was to examine factors that could affect CI usage. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients with SSD who received CI from January 2015 to March 2020. CI usage was evaluated at 12 and 24 months. Hearing loss duration, tinnitus scores and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were correlated with CI usage at 12 months. RESULTS: Usage data was available for 54 patients at 12 months and 38 patients at 24 months. The mean usage was 8.2 h/day (SD 4.2) at 12 months, 7.0 h/day (SD 5.1) at 24 months. 5 out of 54 (9.3%) and 7 out of 38 patients (18.4%) were non-users at 12 and 24 months post-operatively. An improved mean SNR score from pre-operative 4.4 dB (SD 2.8) to - 0.70 dB (SD 4.2) at 12 months post-operative was positively correlated with CI usage at 12 and 24 months. Hearing loss duration and tinnitus scores were not associated with CI usage. CONCLUSIONS: 18.4% of our patients were non-users at 24 months. Mean usage at 24 months was 7.0 h/day. Improved hearing in noise at 12 months was correlated with better usage.

The genome and comparative transcriptome of the euryhaline model ciliate Paramecium duboscqui reveal adaptations to environmental salinity.

BACKGROUND: As a potential model organism for studies of environmental and cell biology, Paramecium duboscqui is a special euryhaline species of Paramecium that can be found in fresh, brackish, or marine water in natural salinity ranges between 0‰ and 33‰. However, the genome information as well as molecular mechanisms that account for its remarkable halotolerant traits remain extremely unknown. To characterize its genome feature, we combined PacBio and Illumina sequencing to assemble the first high-quality and near-complete macronuclear genome of P. duboscqui. Meanwhile, comparative transcriptomic profiles under different salinities gave underlying insight into the molecular mechanism of its adaptations to environmental salinity. RESULTS: The results showed that the MAC genome of P. duboscqui comprises 160 contigs, with 113 of them possessing telomere (~ 28.82 Mb haploid genome size). Through comparative genomic analyses with the other ciliate, we found that gene families encoding transmembrane transporter proteins have been expanded in P. duboscqui, showing enormous potential in salinity adaptation. Like other Paramecium, P. duboscqui utilizes TGA as its only termination codon and has reassigned TAA and TAG to encode glutamine. P. duboscqui showed different growth rates under different salinities, with an optimum growth rate in 5‰ salinity. A comparison of the transcriptomic profiles among P. duboscqui grown under different concentrations showed that genes involved in protein folding, oxygen respiration, and glutathione-dependent detoxification were upregulated in the high-salt group, whereas genes encoding DNA-binding proteins and transcription factors were upregulated in the low-salt group, suggesting distinct mechanisms for responding to low and high salinity. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) linked the hub genes expressed at 30‰ salinity to cysteine-type peptidase activity, lipid transfer, sodium hydrogen exchange, and cell division, with the hub genes expressed at 0‰ salinity involved in transmembrane transport and protein localization. CONCLUSIONS: This study characterizes a new euryhaline model Paramecium, provides novel insights into Paramecium evolution, and describes the molecular mechanisms that have allow P. duboscqui to adapt to different osmotic environments.

Examining the mediating effect of real and cyber self-control on cyberbullying and health risk behaviors among secondary vocational students in China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cyberbullying and health risk behaviors are pervasive issues for secondary vocational students that not only detrimentally impact their academic achievement but also pose a significant threat to overall health. The purpose of this study was to understand the current situation of cyberbullying and health risk behaviors among secondary vocational students in China and to explore the relationships among cyberbullying, self-control, self-control over internet usage, and health risk behaviors through a mediation model. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. From March to April 2023, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by a cluster sample of 1184 students from grades 1 to 3 at three secondary vocational schools in Jilin Province. The researchers utilized a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Scale (CAV), the Adolescent Health Related Risky Behavior Inventory (AHRBI), the Self-Control Scale (SCS), and the Internet Usage Self-Control Scale (IUSCS-CS) to assess the prevalence and impact of cyberbullying and health risk behaviors. Descriptive statistics, spearman correlation analyses. Finally, the Process plug-in V2.16.3 was used to analyze a mediation model for the data. RESULTS: Among secondary vocational students, 839 individuals (70.86%) experienced cyberbullying and 1036 individuals (87.50%) had one or more health risk behaviors. A chi-square test showed that the differences in cyberbullying incidence were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for being children, type of accommodation, residence, ethnicity, purpose of using the internet, and family composition. Statistically significant differences in health risk behaviors were observed based on gender, type of accommodation, residence, ethnicity, academic achievement, classmate relationships, purpose of using the internet, and family composition (P < 0.05). Health risk behaviors and cyberbullying were correlated (r = 0.60), health risk behaviors and self-control and internet usage self-control were negatively correlated (r = -0.42, -0.50). Mediation analysis indicated that self-control (0.02, 0.08) and internet usage self-control (0.08, 0.17) partially mediated the association between cyberbullying and health risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary vocational students exhibit a high prevalence of cyberbullying and health risk behaviors. The study confirmed that self-control and internet usage self-control has an important role in mediating cybeibullying and health risk behaviors. Adolescent health promoters should develop targeted strategies to enhance the self-control of secondary vocational school students to mitigate their engagement in health risk behaviors.

Using at least 20% medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is associated with improved patient-reported outcome measures across all knee arthroplasty patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of orthopaedic surgeons' arthroplasty distributions on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following knee arthroplasty, thus addressing the gap in knowledge regarding the optimal distribution of arthroplasties. METHODS: 2256 knee arthroplasties were included (total knee arthroplasty [TKA] or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty [UKA]). All were conducted at a single centre between August 2016 and August 2022 with a minimum of 1-year follow-up. The Oxford Knee Score (OKS), the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and the Activity and Participation Questionnaire (APQ) were assessed preoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Patients were categorized based on the surgeons' yearly surgeries: (1) TKA only, (2) TKA+ <20% medial UKA, (3) TKA+ ≥20% medial UKA and (4) TKA+ ≥20% medial UKA + lateral UKA + patellofemoral UKA. Linear regression models adjusted for demographic variables and preoperative PROM scores were used to estimate changes in mean PROM scores. RESULTS: Group 4 showed significantly higher improvements in PROM scores at 3 and 12 months compared to Group 1. In the 12-month adjusted analysis, Group 4 had 1.9 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-2.8) higher OKS-, 7.0 points (95% CI: 3.9-10.2) higher FJS- and 8.3 points (95% CI: 4.8-11.8) higher APQ-change than Group 1. There were no significant differences between Groups 1 and 2, nor any clinically relevant differences between Groups 3 and 4. Additionally, the percentage of patients who achieved excellent OKS (>41) was significantly higher in Groups 3 + 4 compared to Groups 1 + 2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite limitations, the findings of this study suggest that utilizing ≥20% medial UKA leads to greater postoperative improvements in PROM across all treated knee arthroplasty patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Shifting temporal patterns in physical usage of a health sciences library following the extension of operational hours.

Background: Students regularly state a strong preference for increased library operational hours to accommodate learning needs. While many academic libraries provide extended hours, academic health sciences libraries appear to adopt such models less frequently. This is not due to lower levels of student demand for extended hours. Case Presentation: In response to student preferences for increased hours, our institution shifted its budget to provide an additional 10 weekend hours (Friday-Sunday). This study is a post-hoc assessment of temporal changes in physical library use over weekend days pre- and post-implementation of extended hours. This study used (non-exam) weekend physical library usage data one year before and after implementing extended hours (January 2018-January 2020). We ran descriptive statistics to assess the hourly use pattern changes in physical library usage. Conclusion: For the regular academic year, students arrived earlier and stayed later, with less severe hourly peaks in opening and closing times physical use patterns seen in the pre-implementation period. Overall, we saw increases in all three areas of physical usage data studied. The data provides evidence of the true need for extended hours among users, along with hourly patterns reflecting a better match of hours with patron study patterns.

Social determinants of health and their associations with outcomes in pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A national study of the NEMSIS database.

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOH) impact health disparities, though little is known about the effects of SDOH on pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA). Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the NEMSIS Database to obtain nationwide POHCA data from 2021 to 2023. Outcomes included performance of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) usage, and obtainment of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). SDOH data was obtained from the US Census Bureau and included minority race/ethnicities status, poverty levels, and educational attainment of the community where POCHAs occurred. Multivariable logistic regression and Cochran-Armitage trend tests were used to assess associations between SDOH and POHCA outcomes. Results: Query of the NEMSIS Database yielded 27,137 POHCAs. The odds of CPR performance and obtainment of ROSC were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in communities with lower levels of minority races/ethnicities. The odds of bystander CPR, AED usage, and obtainment of ROSC all increased significantly (p < 0.001) in the wealthiest communities compared to the poorest communities. The odds of bystander AED usage (p = 0.001) and ROSC (p = 0.003) were significantly higher in communities with the highest educational attainment. As the minority status and poverty level of the community increased and educational attainment decreased, there was a significant decreasing trend (p < 0.001) in performance of bystander CPR, AED usage, and obtainment of ROSC. Conclusions: Community-level SDOH, including increasing community minority status, poverty levels, and decreasing educational attainment, are associated with less bystander CPR, AED usage, and ROSC obtainment in POHCAs. Understanding SDOH offers opportunities for public health interventions addressing disparities in POHCA outcomes.

Codon Bias of the DDR1 Gene and Transcription Factor EHF in Multiple Species.

Milk production is an essential economic trait in cattle, and understanding the genetic regulation of this trait can enhance breeding strategies. The discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) gene has been identified as a key candidate gene that influences milk production, and ETS homologous factor (EHF) is recognized as a critical transcription factor that regulates DDR1 expression. Codon usage bias, which affects gene expression and protein function, has not been fully explored in cattle. This study aims to examine the codon usage bias of DDR1 and EHF transcription factors to understand their roles in dairy production traits. Data from 24 species revealed that both DDR1 and EHF predominantly used G/C-ending codons, with the GC3 content averaging 75.49% for DDR1 and 61.72% for EHF. Synonymous codon usage analysis identified high-frequency codons for both DDR1 and EHF, with 17 codons common to both genes. Correlation analysis indicated a negative relationship between the effective number of codons and codon adaptation index for both DDR1 and EHF. Phylogenetic and clustering analyses revealed similar codon usage patterns among closely related species. These findings suggest that EHF plays a crucial role in regulating DDR1 expression, offering new insights into genetically regulating milk production in cattle.

Comparative analysis of codon usage patterns in 16 chloroplast genomes of suborder Halimedineae.

The Halimedineae are marine green macroalgae that play crucial roles as primary producers in various habitats, including coral reefs, rocky shores, embayments, lagoons, and seagrass beds. Several tropical species have calcified thalli, which contribute significantly to the formation of coral reefs. In this study, we investigated the codon usage patterns and the main factors influencing codon usage bias in 16 chloroplast genomes of the suborder Halimedineae. Nucleotide composition analysis revealed that the codons of these species were enriched in A/U bases and preferred to end in A/U bases, and the distribution of GC content followed a trend of GC1 > GC2 > GC3. 30 optimal codons encoding 17 amino acids were identified, and most of the optimal codons and all of the over-expressed codons preferentially ended with A/U. The neutrality plot, effective number of codons (ENc) plot, and parity rule 2 (PR2) plot analysis indicated that natural selection played a major role in shaping codon usage bias of the most Halimedineae species. The genetic relationships based on their RSCU values and chloroplast protein-coding genes showed the closely related species have similar codon usage patterns. This study describes, for the first time, the codon usage patterns and characterization of Halimedineae chloroplast genomes, and provides new insights into the evolution of this suborder.

Does the use of unusual combinations of datasets contribute to greater scientific impact?

Scientific datasets play a crucial role in contemporary data-driven research, as they allow for the progress of science by facilitating the discovery of new patterns and phenomena. This mounting demand for empirical research raises important questions on how strategic data utilization in research projects can stimulate scientific advancement. In this study, we examine the hypothesis inspired by the recombination theory, which suggests that innovative combinations of existing knowledge, including the use of unusual combinations of datasets, can lead to high-impact discoveries. Focusing on social science, we investigate the scientific outcomes of such atypical data combinations in more than 30,000 publications that leverage over 5,000 datasets curated within one of the largest social science databases, Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research. This study offers four important insights. First, combining datasets, particularly those infrequently paired, significantly contributes to both scientific and broader impacts (e.g., dissemination to the general public). Second, infrequently paired datasets maintain a strong association with citation even after controlling for the atypicality of dataset topics. In contrast, the atypicality of dataset topics has a much smaller positive impact on citation counts. Third, smaller and less experienced research teams tend to use atypical combinations of datasets in research more frequently than their larger and more experienced counterparts. Last, despite the benefits of data combination, papers that amalgamate data remain infrequent. This finding suggests that the unconventional combination of datasets is an underutilized but powerful strategy correlated with the scientific impact and broader dissemination of scientific discoveries.

Analysis of codon usage patterns in complete plastomes of four medicinal Polygonatum species (Asparagaceae).

Polygonati Rhizoma and Polygonati odorati Rhizoma, known as "Huangjing" and "Yuzhu" in China, are medicinal Polygonatum species resources with top-grade medical and edible properties. The chloroplast (cp) genome has been used to study species diversity, evolution, and breeding of species for applications in genetic engineering. Codon usage bias (CUB), a common and complex natural phenomenon, is essential for studies of codon optimization of exogenous genes, genetic engineering, and molecular evolution. However, the CUB of medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes has not been systematically studied. In our study, a detailed analysis of CUB was performed in the medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes. We investigated the codon bias of 204 plastid protein-coding genes (PCGs) in 4 medicinal Polygonatum species using CodonW and CUSP online software. Through the analysis of the codon bias index, we found that the medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes had weak codon usage bias. In addition, our results also showed a high preference for AT bases in medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes, and the preference to use AT-ending codons was observed in these species chloroplast genomes. The neutrality plot, ENC plot, PR2-Bias plot, and correspondence analysis showed that compared with mutation pressure, natural selection was the most important factor of CUB. Based on the comparative analysis of high-frequency codons and high expression codons, we also determined the 10-11 optimal codons of investigative medicinal Polygonatum species. Furthermore, the result of RSCU-based cluster analysis showed that the genetic relationship between different medicinal Polygonatum species could be well reflected. This study provided an essential understanding of CUB and evolution in the medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes.

Summary of the best evidence for the safe use of pneumatic tourniquet in limb surgery.

PURPOSE: To retrieve, evaluate, and summarize the best available evidence regarding the safe use of pneumatic tourniquet in patients undergoing Limb surgery, providing guidance for preoperative assessment, operation methods and precautions, complication prevention and treatment in clinical practice. METHODS: Using the PIPOST tool, we formulated an evidence-based question, conducted searches in relevant Chinese and international databases and websites for clinical decisions, guidelines, evidence summaries, systematic reviews, and expert consensus on the use of limb surgical tourniquets. The search was limited to literature published until September 30, 2023. Quality assessment and evidence extraction were performed on eligible documents. RESULTS: This study included a total of 13 articles, including 2 clinical decision-making articles, 3 guidelines, 5 expert consensus articles, 1 standard and 2 systematic reviews. A total of 34 best pieces of evidence recommendations were summarized across 10 aspects, including indications and contraindications for the use of pneumatic tourniquets, preoperative evaluation of operators, selection and placement of tourniquet cuffs, tourniquet inflation, monitoring during inflation, tourniquet deflation, common complications and prevention, equipment safety, documentation, and training and education. CONCLUSION: The best evidence summarized in this study can provide reference for clinical medical staff to safely use pneumatic tourniquets, but in clinical practice, targeted selection and application of evidence should be combined with specific situations to improve the safety and hemostatic effect of pneumatic tourniquet use.

Effects of helmet usage on moped riders' injury severity in moped-vehicle crashes: Insights from partially temporal constrained random parameters bivariate probit models.

Mopeds are small and move unpredictably, making them difficult for other drivers to perceive. This lack of visibility, coupled with the minimal protection that mopeds provide, can lead to serious crashes, particularly when the rider is not wearing a helmet. This paper explores the association between helmet usage and injury severity among moped riders involved in collisions with other vehicles. A series of joint bivariate probit models are employed, with injury severity and helmet usage serving as dependent variables. Data on two-vehicle moped crashes in Florida from 2019 to 2021 are collected and categorized into three periods: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Crash involvement ratios are calculated to examine the safety risk elements of moped riders in various categories, while significant temporal shifts are also explored. The correlated joint random parameters bivariate probit models with heterogeneity in means demonstrate their superiority in capturing interactive unobserved heterogeneity, revealing how various variables significantly affect injury outcomes and helmet usage. Temporal instability related to the COVID-19 pandemic is validated through likelihood ratio tests, out-of-sample predictions, and calculations of marginal effects. Additionally, several parameters are noted to remain temporally stable across multiple periods, prompting the development of a partially temporally constrained modeling approach to provide insights from a long-term perspective. Specifically, it is found that male moped riders are less likely to wear helmets and are negatively associated with injury/fatality rates. Moped riders on two-lane roads are also less likely to wear helmets. Furthermore, moped riders face a lower risk of injury or fatality during daylight conditions, while angle crashes consistently lead to a higher risk of injuries and fatalities across the three periods. These findings provide valuable insights into helmet usage and injury severity among moped riders and offer guidance for developing countermeasures to protect them.

Intention to Use a Mental Health App for Menopause: Health Belief Model Approach.

BACKGROUND: Menopause presents a period of heightened vulnerability for mental health issues. Despite this, mental health screening is not consistently integrated into menopausal health care, and access to psychological interventions is limited. Digital technologies, such as web and smartphone apps, may offer a way to facilitate and improve mental health care provision throughout menopause. However, little is known about potential users' intention to use such technologies during this critical phase of life. OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors that impact the intention of potential users to use a mental health app during menopause, we used the Health Belief Model (HBM), a psychological framework widely used to understand and predict individuals' health-related behaviors. METHODS: An online survey was generated. Convenience sampling was used, with participants recruited via social media and email, through relevant foundations and support groups, and by word of mouth. Structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation was conducted to explore whether the factor structure of the HBM is a good fit for predicting the intention to use a mental health app for menopause. A Cronbach α value of .05 was used for determining statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 1154 participants commenced the survey, of which 82.49% (n=952) completed at least 97% of the survey. Of these, 86.76% (n=826) expressed that their menopausal symptoms had negatively affected their mental health, and went on to answer questions regarding their experiences and interest in using a web or smartphone app for mental health symptoms related to menopause. Data from this subgroup (N=826) were analyzed. In total, 74.09% (n=612) of respondents sought online help for mental health symptoms related to menopause. The most common topics searched for were symptom characteristics (n=435, 52.66%) and treatment or therapy options (n=210, 25.42%). Psychoeducation (n=514, 62.23%) was the most desired mental health app feature, followed by symptom tracking (n=499, 60.41%) and self-help tips (n=469, 56.78%). In terms of the intention to use a mental health app, the Satorra-Bentler-scaled fit statistics indicated a good fit for the model (χ2278=790.44, P<.001; comparative fit index=0.933, root mean square error of approximation=0.047, standardized root mean square residual=0.056), with cues to action emerging as the most significant predictor of intention (ß=.48, P<.001). This was followed by perceived barriers (ß=-.25, P<.001), perceived susceptibility (ß=.15, P<.001), and perceived benefits (ß=.13, P<.001). Perceived severity (ß=.01, P=.869) and self-efficacy (ß=.03, P=.286) were not significantly associated with behavioral intention. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals important factors that influence the intention to use a mental health app during menopause. It emphasizes the need to address barriers to app usage, while highlighting the impact of credible endorsements and psychoeducation. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of improving accessibility for users with lower digital literacy or limited resources.

Assessing post-Covid-19 Lebanese teachers' attitudes towards ICT and their level of integration in the classroom in relation to their years of experience.

In this technological era, the implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the learning environment is impacted by many factors, chief among them are those related to the teachers whose experience and attitude play a key role in the proper integration of technology. This study purports to investigate the effect of teachers' experience on their attitude towards ICT integration and their level of usage in the classroom. It used a quantitative descriptive method by adopting two surveys (Hernández-Ramos et al., 2014 and Sánchez et al., 2012) as the main instrument for data collection. The survey was administered in four English language private urban schools in Lebanon. This study shows that the teachers hold an overall positive attitude towards ICT integration in the classroom. However, no significant relationship between their attitude and years of experience is identified. While teachers demonstrate a moderate to low ICT usage, a significant negative correlation between their use of ICT in the classroom and their years of experience is evident. These findings are not consistent with the prevalent literature that tends to associate positive attitudes towards technology with higher usage of ICT in different educational settings around the world. Limitations of the study and recommendations for sustainable implementation of ICT in the classroom are provided.

What Psychiatrists Should Know About Prescribed Safer Opioid Supply.

In this invited commentary, we provide an overview of safer opioid supply (SOS) initiatives, specifically aiming to examine the evidence base for SOS programs and the ensuing implications for clinical practice, particularly in the context of psychiatric care.

What Psychiatrists Should Know About Prescribed Safer Opioid SupplyPlain Language SummaryIn this invited commentary, we provide an overview of safer opioid supply (SOS) initiatives, specifically aiming to examine the evidence base for SOS programs and the ensuing implications for clinical practice, particularly in the context of psychiatric care.

Non-used cryopreserved sperm among oncological patients: extra-long-term follow-up and analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors influencing long-term utilization and disposal patterns of cryopreserved semen straws in oncological patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included all men who cryopreserved semen due to cancer between October 1993 and December 2021. To assess non-used cryopreserved sperm straws, we investigated the following parameters: cryopreserved semen and usage for fertility treatments versus disposal, summarized by total non-used cases. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to describe last usage and disposal requests over a 15-year analysis. A Log-rank test was applied to compare between age and paternal status categories. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 445 patients. Of these, 55 patients utilized thawed semen for fertility treatments, and 65 opted for disposals, leaving 325 patients who neither used nor disposed of their cryopreserved straws. Our findings revealed a distinct pattern based on age, with the youngest age group (< 25 years) exhibiting significantly lower utilization and disposal rates compared to older patient groups. Additionally, men without children exhibited significantly fewer disposal requests compared to fathers. The median cryopreserved straws were 10 (interquartile range, 6 to 17), while the median used straws were only 2 (interquartile range, 2 to 6). DISCUSSION: Our study brings attention to the additional and needless burden of preservation from both patient and preserved straw perspectives. Implementing a policy based on a cost-effective approach, incorporating time and straw limits, and considering demographic characteristics, could enhance efficiency and necessitate patient consent before preservation.