Multifunctional role of GPCR signaling in epithelial tube formation.

Epithelial tube formation requires Rho1-dependent actomyosin contractility to generate the cellular forces that drive cell shape changes and rearrangement. Rho1 signaling is activated by G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling at the cell surface. During Drosophila embryonic salivary gland (SG) invagination, the GPCR ligand Folded gastrulation (Fog) activates Rho1 signaling to drive apical constriction. The SG receptor that transduces the Fog signal into Rho1-dependent myosin activation has not been identified. Here, we reveal that the Smog GPCR transduces Fog signal to regulate Rho kinase accumulation and myosin activation in the medioapical region of cells to control apical constriction during SG invagination. We also report on unexpected Fog-independent roles for Smog in maintaining epithelial integrity and organizing cortical actin. Our data support a model wherein Smog regulates distinct myosin pools and actin cytoskeleton in a ligand-dependent manner during epithelial tube formation.

Assessment of the Readability of the Online Patient Education Materials of Intensive and Critical Care Societies.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the readability of patient education materials (PEMs) on websites of intensive and critical care societies. DATA SOURCES: Websites of intensive and critical care societies, which are members of The World Federation of Intensive and Critical Care and The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. SETTING: Cross-sectional observational, internet-based, website, PEMs, readability study. STUDY SELECTION: The readability of the PEMs available on societies' sites was evaluated. DATA EXTRACTION: The readability formulas used were the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and Gunning Fog (GFOG). DATA SYNTHESIS: One hundred twenty-seven PEM from 11 different societies were included in our study. In the readability analysis of PEM, the FRES was 58.10 (48.85-63.77) (difficult), the mean FKGL and SMOG were 10.19 (8.93-11.72) and 11.10 (10.11-11.87) years, respectively, and the mean GFOG score was 12.73 (11.37-14.15) (very difficult). All readability formula results were significantly higher than the recommended sixth-grade level ( p < 0.001). All PEMs were above the sixth-grade level when the societies were evaluated individually according to all readability results ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the sixth-grade level recommended by the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health, the readability of PEMs in intensive and critical care societies is relatively high. PEMs in intensive and critical care societies should be prepared with attention to recommendations on readability.

Utility of ChatGPT for Automated Creation of Patient Education Handouts: An Application in Neuro-Ophthalmology.

BACKGROUND: Patient education in ophthalmology poses a challenge for physicians because of time and resource limitations. ChatGPT (OpenAI, San Francisco) may assist with automating production of patient handouts on common neuro-ophthalmic diseases. METHODS: We queried ChatGPT-3.5 to generate 51 patient education handouts across 17 conditions. We devised the "Quality of Generated Language Outputs for Patients" (QGLOP) tool to assess handouts on the domains of accuracy/comprehensiveness, bias, currency, and tone, each scored out of 4 for a total of 16. A fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologist scored each passage. Handout readability was assessed using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), which estimates years of education required to understand a text. RESULTS: The QGLOP scores for accuracy, bias, currency, and tone were found to be 2.43, 3, 3.43, and 3.02 respectively. The mean QGLOP score was 11.9 [95% CI 8.98, 14.8] out of 16 points, indicating a performance of 74.4% [95% CI 56.1%, 92.5%]. The mean SMOG across responses as 10.9 [95% CI 9.36, 12.4] years of education. CONCLUSIONS: The mean QGLOP score suggests that a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist may have at-least a moderate level of satisfaction with the write-up quality conferred by ChatGPT. This still requires a final review and editing before dissemination. Comparatively, the rarer 5% of responses collectively on either extreme would require very mild or extensive revision. Also, the mean SMOG score exceeded the accepted upper limits of grade 8 reading level for health-related patient handouts. In its current iteration, ChatGPT should be used as an efficiency tool to generate an initial draft for the neuro-ophthalmologist, who may then refine the accuracy and readability for a lay readership.

Assessing the Readability of Online English and Spanish Language Patient Education Resources Provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons.

INTRODUCTION: The National Institutes of Health recommends that patient education materials (PEMs) be written at the sixth grade level. However, PEMs online are still generally difficult to read. The usefulness of online PEMs depends on their comprehensibility. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the readability of PEMs from national Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) organization websites. METHODS: Patient education materials were collected from 3 prominent PRS organizations-the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons (ASRM). ASPS PEMs were organized into reconstructive and cosmetic groups, and then further subdivided into English and Spanish subgroups. ASAPS and ASRM PEMs provided cosmetic and reconstructive comparison groups to ASPS, respectively. Readability scores were generated using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and the Spanish SMOG scales. RESULTS: Overall, all PEMs failed to meet readability guidelines. Within ASPS, Spanish PEMs were easier to read than English PEMs ( P < 0.001), and cosmetic PEMs were easier to read than reconstructive PEMs ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between ASPS cosmetic and ASAPS PEMs ( P = 0.36), nor between ASPS reconstructive and ASRM PEMs ( P = 0.65). ASAPS and ASRM did not have any Spanish PEMs, and 92% of all ASPS PEMs were in English. CONCLUSION: Although PRS societies strive to better educate the public on the scope of PRS, PRS ranks lowly in public understanding of its role in patient care. In addition, Spanish language PEMs from the 3 PRS organizations are severely lacking. Addressing these concerns will make online patient resources more equitable for various patient populations.

Geo-visualizing the hotspots of smog-induced health effects in district Gujranwala, Pakistan: a community perspective.

This study aims to examine the health effects of smog on different age groups in Gujranwala and its associated health effects. To achieve this, primary data was gathered through a questionnaire survey focused on health issues faced by elderly individuals during the smog season. The results of the survey revealed that older adults in Gujranwala are particularly vulnerable to a range of health problems during this period, including coughing, throat infections, irritated eyes, runny noses, shortness of breath, chest pain while breathing, wheezing, asthma, heart problems, and respiratory issues. In order to analyze the spatial distribution of these health concerns, spatial and geo-statistical methods were employed utilizing ArcGIS 10.5. By integrating field data and secondary sources, hotspot and cold spot zones were identified. Employing the statistical model within ArcMap 10.5, hotspot analysis was performed to determine areas with elevated air quality index (AQI) values and associated health problems. The application of the inverse distance weighted approach, incorporating the Z value, facilitated a visual representation of areas with heightened and reduced AQI and health-related issues. The study's outcomes underscore the prevalence of health challenges among older adults during the winter months in Gujranwala, particularly linked to smog-induced throat infections, irritated eyes, and runny noses. The research identified zones with escalated AQI values, encompassing regions such as Gujranwala, Chandaqella, Alam Chowk, Khali Shahpur, Sialkot Bypass, and Pindi Bypass. It was established that industrial pollutants and vehicular emissions are the primary contributors to smog in the area. Given the detrimental consequences of pollution on individuals of all age groups, it is imperative to take action to mitigate its impact. This can be achieved through addressing pollution sources, implementing effective emission control measures, and fostering public awareness. By adopting proactive measures, the adverse health effects of pollution can be minimized, thereby fostering a healthier and safer environment for the entire population. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and environmentalists to implement targeted interventions and improve air quality, ultimately safeguarding the health of local populations.

Influence of meteorological variables and air pollutants on fog/smog formation in seven major cities of Indo-Gangetic Plain.

The Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of the Indian subcontinent during winters experience widespread fog episodes. The low visibility is not only attributed to meteorological conditions but also to the increased pollution levels in the region. The study was carried out for Tier 1 and Tier II cities of the IGP of India, including Kolkata, Amritsar, Patiala, Hisar, Delhi, Patna, and Lucknow. This work analyzes data from 1990 to 2023 (33 years) employing the Mann-Kendall-Theil-Sen slope to determine the trends in fog occurrences and the relation between fog and meteorological parameters using multiple linear regressions. Furthermore, identifying the most relevant fog (visibility)-impacting factors from a set of both meteorological factors and air pollutants using step-wise regression. All cities indicated trend in the number of foggy days except for Kolkata. The multiple regression analysis reveals relatively low associations between fog occurrences and meteorological factors (30 to 59%), although the association was stronger when air pollution levels were considered (60 to 91%). Relative humidity, PM2.5, and PM10 have the most influence on fog formation. The study provides comprehensive insights into fog trends by incorporating meteorological data and air pollution analysis. The findings highlight the significance of acknowledging meteorological and pollution factors to understand and mitigate the impacts of reduced visibility. Hence, this information can guide policymakers, urban planners, and environmental management agencies in developing effective strategies to manage fog-related risks and improve air quality.

The readability of parent information leaflets in paediatric studies.

BACKGROUND: Poor literacy can impact achieving optimal health outcomes. The aim of this project was to assess the readability of parent information leaflets (PILs). METHODS: A single-centre study using paediatric PILs. Five readability tests were applied (Gunning Fog Index (GFI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Flesch Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Coleman-Liau Index (CLI) and Automated Readability Index (ARI)). Results were compared to standards and by subtype. RESULTS: A total of 109 PILs were obtained; mean (±SD) number of characters was 14,365 (±12,055), total words 3066 (±2541), number of sentences 153 (±112), lexical density 49 (±3), number of characters per word 4.7 (±0.1), number of syllables per word 1.6 (±0.1) and number of words per sentence 19.1 (±2.5). The Flesch reading ease score was 51.1 (±5.6), equating to reading age 16-17 years. The mean PIL readability scores were GFI (12.18), SMOG (11.94), FKGL (10.89), CLI (10.08) and ARI (10.1). There were 0 (0%) PILs classed as easy (score <6), 21 (19%) mid-range (6-10) and 88 (81%) were difficult (>10). They were significantly above the recommended reading age (p < 0.0001) and commercial studies were least accessible (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Existing PILs are above the national reading level. Researchers should use readability tools to ensure that they are accessible. IMPACT: Poor literacy is a barrier to accessing research and achieving good health outcomes. Current parent information leaflets are pitched far higher than the national reading age. This study provides data to demonstrate the reading age of a large portfolio of research studies. This work raises awareness of literacy as a barrier to research participation and provides tips on how to improve the readability of patient information leaflets to guide investigators.

Combined Smog Chamber/Oxidation Flow Reactor Study on Aging of Secondary Organic Aerosol from Photooxidation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is a significant component of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and their physicochemical properties can be significantly changed in the aging process. In this study, we used a combination consisting of a smog chamber (SC) and oxidation flow reactor (OFR) to investigate the continuous aging process of gas-phase organic intermediates and SOA formed from the photooxidation of toluene, a typical aromatic hydrocarbon. Our results showed that as the OH exposure increased from 2.6 × 1011 to 6.3 × 1011 molecules cm-3 s (equivalent aging time of 2.01-4.85 days), the SOA mass concentration (2.9 ± 0.05-28.7 ± 0.6 µg cm-3) and corrected SOA yield (0.073-0.26) were significantly enhanced. As the aging process proceeds, organic acids and multiple oxygen-containing oxidation products are continuously produced from the photochemical aging process of gas-phase organic intermediates (mainly semi-volatile and intermediate volatility species, S/IVOCs). The multigeneration oxidation products then partition to the aerosol phase, while functionalization of SOA rather than fragmentation dominated in the photochemical aging process, resulting in much higher SOA yield after aging compared to that in the SC. Our study indicates that SOA yields as a function of OH exposure should be considered in air quality models to improve SOA simulation, and thus accurately assess the impact on SOA properties and regional air quality.

Titanium Dioxide Promotes New Particle Formation: A Smog Chamber Study.

TiO2 is a widely used material in building coatings. Many studies have revealed that TiO2 promotes the heterogeneous oxidation of SO2 and the subsequent sulfate formation. However, whether and how much TiO2 contributes to the gaseous H2SO4 and subsequent new particle formation (NPF) still remains unclear. Herein, we used a 1 m3 quartz smog chamber to investigate NPF in the presence of TiO2. The experimental results indicated that TiO2 could greatly promote NPF. The increases in particle formation rate (J) and growth rate due to the presence of TiO2 were quantified, and the promotion effect was attributed to the production of gaseous H2SO4. The promotion effect of TiO2 on SO2 oxidation and subsequent NPF decreased gradually due to the formation of surface sulfate but did not disappear completely, instead partly recovering after washing with water. Moreover, the promotion effect of TiO2 on NPF was observed regardless of differences in RH, and the most significant promotion effect of TiO2 associated with the strongest NPF occurred at an RH of 20%. Based on the experimental evidence, the environmental impact of TiO2 on gaseous H2SO4 and particle pollution in urban areas was estimated.

Readability of patient education materials for bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is a successful treatment for obesity, but barriers to surgery exist, including low health literacy. National organizations recommend patient education materials (PEM) not exceed a sixth-grade reading level. Difficult to comprehend PEM can exacerbate barriers to bariatric surgery, especially in the Deep South where high obesity and low literacy rates exist. This study aimed to assess and compare the readability of webpages and electronic medical record (EMR) bariatric surgery PEM from one institution. METHODS: Readability of online bariatric surgery and standardized perioperative EMR PEM were analyzed and compared. Text readability was assessed by validated instruments: Flesch Reading Ease Formula (FRE), Flesch Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Gunning Fog (GF), Coleman-Liau Index (CL), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Automated Readability Index (ARI), and Linsear Write Formula (LWF). Mean readability scores were calculated with standard deviations and compared using unpaired t-tests. RESULTS: 32 webpages and seven EMR education documents were analyzed. Webpages were overall "difficult to read" compared to "standard/average" readability EMR materials (mean FRE 50.5 ± 18.3 vs. 67.4 ± 4.2, p = 0.023). All webpages were at or above high school reading level: mean FKGL 11.8 ± 4.4, GF 14.0 ± 3.9, CL 9.5 ± 3.2, SMOG 11.0 ± 3.2, ARI 11.7 ± 5.1, and LWF 14.9 ± 6.6. Webpages with highest reading levels were nutrition information and lowest were patient testimonials. EMR materials were sixth to ninth grade reading level: FKGL 6.2 ± 0.8, GF 9.3 ± 1.4, CL 9.7 ± 0.9, SMOG 7.1 ± 0.8, ARI 6.1 ± 1.0, and LWF 5.9 ± 0.8. CONCLUSION: Surgeon curated bariatric surgery webpages have advanced reading levels above recommended thresholds compared to standardized PEM from an EMR. This readability gap may unintentionally contribute to barriers to surgery and affect postoperative outcomes. Streamlined efforts are needed to create materials that are easier to read and comply with recommendations.

Assessing comprehension of online information in the United States for third-line treatment of overactive bladder.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Overactive bladder (OAB) affects up to 43% of women. Treatment ranges from lifestyle modification to invasive therapies. Nearly 75% of patients report using the internet to gain health information creating a need for interpretable, online resources. This study is aimed at evaluating the readability of online resources for OAB treatment in the US population. METHODS: Google and Bing were queried regarding "sacral neuromodulation," "peripheral tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS)," and "bladder botox." The first 20 results from each search engine were assessed, representing over 90% of accessed search results. Websites were categorized as institutional/reference, commercial, nonprofit, or personal. The Gunning fog (GF), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and Dale-Chall (DC) validated readability scores were used to assess results. RESULTS: Sacral neuromodulation yielded 27 eligible results. The associated mean readability scores correlated with levels of college senior (GF), high school junior (SMOG), and college level (DC). PTNS yielded 31 eligible results. The associated mean readability scores correlated with levels of college senior (GF), high school senior (SMOG), and college level (DC). Bladder botox yielded 17 eligible results. The associated mean readability scores correlated with levels of college sophomore (GF), high school junior (SMOG), and college level (DC). There was no difference between the therapies regarding readability. Sixty-one percent of websites were institutional/reference, 24% were commercial, 13% were nonprofit, and 2% were personal. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of reading comprehension are required by the general US population to understand OAB information obtained through the internet. These findings highlight a need for simplification of online resources pertaining to OAB.

Determinants of Beijing Residents' Intentions to Take Protective Behaviors against Smog: An Application of the Health Belief Model.

Severe smog, a form of air pollution, has become a threat to public health in Beijing, China. To examine Beijing residents' protective behavioral intentions against smog, we proposed a conceptual model, which applies the health belief model (HBM) and specifies the roles of three distal predictors: exposure to news, discussion, and worry. The proposed model was tested in the context of protective behavioral intentions (i.e., intention to wear facemask & intention to use air purifier). Data were collected from Beijing residents during the period from 2/27 to 3/7 in 2017. Structural-equation-modeling (SEM) analyses of valid cases (N = 523) found support for the health belief model regarding the positive effects of perceived threat, perceived benefit, and perceived self-efficacy on intention to wear facemask or intention to use air purifier. Perceived barrier has a negative effect on intention to use air purifier, but is not related to intention to wear facemask. Neither exposure nor discussion is related to perceived threat. The effect of worry on intention to wear facemaskor intention to use air purifier is mediated by perceived threat. This proposed mediating mechanism is superior to the reverse mechanism (that worry mediates perceived threat). Implications of findings were discussed.

Readability, reliability and credibility of online patient information on skin grafts.

BACKGROUND: Skin grafting reflects a common dermatological procedure for closing skin defects. Patient education is important for managing expectation and optimising skin graft take. While health information is increasingly accessed on the internet, there are no existing studies assessing their quality. METHODS: The first 25 results from Google, Microsoft Bing and Yahoo! search engines using the term 'skin graft' were analysed using a variety of standard instruments. Readability was assessed using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade score (FKG), Gunning Fog Index (GFI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and the New Dale-Chall Readability Index (NDC). Reliability was assessed using the DISCERN instrument and credibility with the Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark Criteria (JAMA). Transparency was identified by presence of the Health On the Net Foundation Code certification (HON-code). RESULTS: Seventy-five websites were identified. After exclusion, forty-three remaining websites were analysed with average FKG, GFI and SMOG scores of 7.8, 10.1 and 10.7, respectively. The average NDC was 5.9. The average reliability was fair with a DISCERN score based on the first 15 questions of the instrument of 42.6. The mean JAMA score was 2, and 9 websites displayed the HON-code certificate. CONCLUSIONS: Readability, reliability and credibility of online health information regarding skin grafting can be improved. Health care providers should critically assess existing online patient information or develop alternative material to educate patients undergoing skin graft surgery.

Assessment of Online Patient Education Material About Dysphagia.

To examine quality, readability, understandability, and actionability of English-language online educational materials about dysphagia. A Google search of "dysphagia" and related terms was conducted. Web page quality and accountability were measured using HON and URAC certification seals, the DISCERN instrument, and JAMA benchmark criteria. Understandability and actionability were assessed with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printed Material (PEMAT-P). Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (F-KGL), Gunning Fog (FOG), and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) scores using dedicated readability software. Fifty web pages were analyzed. Seventeen web pages displayed a HON or URAC seal. DISCERN scores ranged from 17 to 50 (Mdn = 25.00; IQR = 32.25-21.00). Of the JAMA benchmark criteria, 88% of web pages met the disclosure criterion, while only 22% met the authorship, 20% met the attribution, and 16% met the currency criteria. PEMAT-P understandability and actionability scores were 69.38% ± 11.14% and 28.58% ± 22.19%, respectively. Readability scores, on average, exceeded the recommended grade reading levels for health information (FRE 46.34 ± 13.59, F-KGL 10.26 ± 2.29, FOG 12.11 ± 2.08, and SMOG 12.38 ± 1.70). Online materials about dysphagia can be improved by obtaining quality certificates and by including content that is more readable and easier to understand and act upon.

Quality of Online Information for Esophageal Cancer.

The Internet is a readily available source of information, and patients in North America frequently access it. Esophageal cancer is the 7th most common cancer worldwide, but there is a lack of studies examining esophageal cancer website quality. This current study looks to systematically analyze the quality of websites accessed by patients with esophageal cancer. A previously validated website evaluation tool was used to analyze the quality of online esophageal cancer resources for patients. The term "esophagus cancer" was used to retrieve hits from the search engine Google and the meta-search engines Dogpile and Yippy. A 100 website list was compiled using pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Websites were evaluated regarding administration, accountability, authorship, organization, readability, content, and accuracy. The term "esophagus cancer" returned over 500 websites from the search engines. Of the 100 websites included for analysis, 97% disclosed ownership, sponsorship, and advertising. Only 35% identified an author and even fewer (31%) gave the author's credentials. Only 31% declared updates to their information within the past 2 years. Readability scores revealed only 9%, and 12% of sites scored at an elementary level, according to the Flesch-Kincaid (FK) and SMOG scoring scales, respectively. The average FK and SMOG scores were 12.6 and 11.0, respectively. Detection was the most accurately described (70%). However, few websites provided accurate incidence/prevalence (28%), stage-specific prognosis (27%), or preventative information (17%). The quality of websites offering information on esophageal cancer is variable. While they overwhelmingly disclose website ownership interests, most do not identify authors, poorly describe important domains of esophageal cancer, and overall readability exceeds the commonly accepted level for non-healthcare professionals.

Readability of Online Patient Education Materials for Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complex systemic diagnosis which is associated with significant symptom distress in patients. Patient education has shown to mitigate uncertainty and distress, but to our knowledge, no studies have evaluated patient education materials on GVHD. We characterized the readability and understandability of patient education materials on GVHD available online. We conducted a Google search of the top 100 non-sponsored search results, selecting for full-text patient education that is not peer-reviewed or a news article. We evaluated the text of the eligible search results against the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease, Flesch Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog, Automated Readability, Linsear Write Formula, Coleman-Liau Index, Smog Index, and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) for understandability. Among 52 included Web results, 17 (32.7%) were provider-authored and 15 (28.8%) were hosted on university Web sites. The total average scores on validated readability tools were Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease (46.4), Flesch Kincaid Grade Level (11.6), Gunning Fog (13.6), Automated Readability (12.3), Linsear Write Formula (12.6), Coleman-Liau Index (12.3), Smog Index (10.0), and PEMAT Understandability (65.5). Provider-authored links scored poorer than non-provider-authored links on all metrics, with significant differences for the Gunning Fog index (p < 0.05). University-hosted links scored better than non-university-hosted links on all metrics. Evaluation of online patient education materials for GVHD demonstrates the need for more readable and understandable resources to mitigate the distress and uncertainty that patients may feel upon being diagnosed with GVHD.

Quality of web-based Arabic health information on dental implants: an infodemiological study.

BACKGROUND: In the era of the internet, patients seek health information ahead of getting the required treatment. Dental implant, which is among the most sought dental treatments, is not an exception. Incorrect health related information may lead to harmful deeds, so this study sought to assess the quality of web-based Arabic health information on dental implants. METHODS: The following engines were searched: Google ( http://www.google.com ), Yahoo! ( http://www.yahoo.com ), and Bing ( http://www.bing.com ) on 13 January 2022 for specific Arabic terms on "dental implants". The first 100 consecutive websites from each engine were analyzed for eligibility. The eligible websites were assessed using JAMA benchmarks tool, DISCERN tool, and HONcode. An online tool (including FKGL, SMOG and FRE) was used to assess readability of the websites. RESULTS: There were 65 eligible websites, of which only one (1.5%) was HONcode certified. Only 3 (4.5%) websites attained a high score (> 65 out of 80) based on DISCERN tool: The mean DISCERN score was 41.14 ± 12.64. The mean JAMA score was 1.69 ± 1.13; however, only five (7.6%) met all JAMA criteria. The main shortcomings were attributed to not meeting the "Attribution" (54 [83.1%]) and "Authorship" (43 [66.2%]) criteria. The mean grade level of FKGL score was 7.0 ± 4.5. The majority of the websites (60%) scored less than 7, indicating easy content to understand. The mean grade level of SMOG score required to understand a website's text was 3.2 ± 0.6. Around 91% of the websites had reading ease scores ≥ 80, suggesting that the website's content was easy to read. CONCLUSION: Unfortunately, although readable, most of the easily accessible web-based Arabic health information on dental implants does not meet the recognized quality standards.

Quality and readability of web-based information on dental caries in Arabic: an infodemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Web-based information on dental caries in Arabic remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the quality and readability of web-based information about dental caries in Arabic. METHODS: The first 100 websites in Arabic about dental caries were retrieved from Google and Bing using common terms. The websites were classified and evaluated for quality based on the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, the DISCERN tool, and the presence of the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode). Readability was assessed using online readability indexes. RESULTS: A total of 102 Arabic websites were included. The JAMA benchmark score was low (m = 0.36, SD = 0.56), with 67.7% failing to meet any of the JAMA criteria. The DISCERN total score mean was 37.68 (SD = 7.99), with a majority (67.65%) of moderate quality. None of the websites had the HONcode. Readability was generally good, with 52.94% of websites having a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) < 7, 91.18% having a Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) < 7, and 85.29% having a Flesch reading ease (FRE) score ≥ 80. There was a positive correlation between JAMA and DISCERN scores (p < 0.001). DISCERN scores were positively correlated with the number of words (p < 0.001) and sentences (p = 0.004) on the websites. However, JAMA or DISCERN scores were not correlated with FKGL, SMOG, or FRE scores (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of Arabic dental caries websites was found to be low, despite their readability. Efforts are needed to introduce more reliable sources for discussing dental caries and treatment options on sites aimed at Arabic populations.

Review of the influencing factors of secondary organic aerosol formation and aging mechanism based on photochemical smog chamber simulation methods.

The formation and aging mechanism of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and its influencing factors have attracted increasing attention in recent years because of their effects on climate change, atmospheric quality and human health. However, there are still large errors between air quality model simulation results and field observations. The currently undetected components during the formation and aging of SOA due to the limitation of current monitoring techniques and the interactions among multiple SOA formation influencing factors might be the main reasons for the differences. In this paper, we present a detailed review of the complex dynamic physical and chemical processes and the corresponding influencing factors involved in SOA formation and aging. And all these results were mainly based the studies of photochemical smog chamber simulation. Although the properties of precursor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxidants (such as OH radicals), and atmospheric environmental factors (such as NOx, SO2, NH3, light intensity, temperature, humidity and seed aerosols) jointly influence the products and yield of SOA, the nucleation and vapor pressure of these products were found to be the most fundamental aspects when interpreting the dynamics of the SOA formation and aging process. The development of techniques for measuring intermediate species in SOA generation processes and the study of SOA generation and aging mechanism in complex systems should be important topics of future SOA research.

A vehicle-mounted dual-smog chamber: Characterization and its preliminary application to evolutionary simulation of photochemical processes in a quasi-realistic atmosphere.

Smog chambers are the effective tools for studying formation mechanisms of air pollution. Simulations by traditional smog chambers differ to a large extent from real atmospheric conditions, including light, temperature and atmospheric composition. However, the existing parameters for mechanism interpretation are derived from the traditional smog chambers. To address the gap between the traditional laboratory simulations and the photochemistry in the real atmosphere, a vehicle-mounted indoor-outdoor dual-smog chamber (JNU-VMDSC) was developed, which can be quickly transferred to the desired sites to simulate quasi-realistic atmosphere simultaneously in both chambers using "local air". Multiple key parameters of the smog chamber were characterized in the study, demonstrating that JNU-VMDSC meets the requirements of general atmospheric chemistry simulation studies. Additionally, the preliminary results for the photochemical simulations of quasi-realistic atmospheres in Pearl River Delta region and Nanling Mountains are consistent with literature reports on the photochemistry in this region. JNU-VMDSC provides a convenient and reliable experimental device and means to study the mechanism of atmospheric photochemical reactions to obtain near-real results, and will make a great contribution to the control of composite air pollution.