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1.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38948117

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Childbirth is a unique experience for women. In Ireland, major obstetric hemorrhage (MOH) is the most frequently reported severe maternal morbidity (SMM) with an incidence of 3.27 per 1000 maternities. Much is known now about the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and there is some research on women and their partner's experience. Less is known about how the woman feels emotionally following a PPH or what informational needs and emotional support are required. The aim of this study was to understand how women felt after experiencing a severe PPH, to listen to their first-hand experience, and to learn what improvements could be made for future care for women who experience a PPH. METHODS: A descriptive, quantitative approach was conducted using semi-structured interviews with women who had a severe hemorrhage (blood loss) of ≥2.5 L between four and fourteen months postpartum. RESULTS: Five women took part in this study. The women identified a lack of information provided to them about the reason for the significant bleeding. The women voiced they could overhear information about the event discussed between healthcare professionals but not with the woman. The care the women received in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) was significantly different from the care they received in the postnatal wards, and the women were not informed they were clinically well for transfer to the postnatal ward. It was reported that the postnatal wards were busy and short-staffed, and the women looked for more emotional support from staff, which was not available. This had an effect on their recovery in the postnatal period. CONCLUSIONS: The women reported that they wanted more information in the early postnatal period following the event, and some still had unanswered questions at the time of the interviews several months later. Most of the participants did not receive adequate emotional support from the midwives caring for them, which resulted in the participants requesting early discharge home to get emotional support from members of their family.

2.
Biology (Basel) ; 13(6)2024 Jun 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38927323

ABSTRACT

Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) indicate that noise degrades auditory neural encoding, causing decreased peak amplitude and increased peak latency. Different types of noise affect CAEP responses, with greater informational masking causing additional degradation. In noisy conditions, attention can improve target signals' neural encoding, reflected by an increased CAEP amplitude, which may be facilitated through various inhibitory mechanisms at both pre-attentive and attentive levels. While previous research has mainly focused on inhibition effects during attentive auditory processing in noise, the impact of noise on the neural response during the pre-attentive phase remains unclear. Therefore, this preliminary study aimed to assess the auditory gating response, reflective of the sensory inhibitory stage, to repeated vowel pairs presented in background noise. CAEPs were recorded via high-density EEG in fifteen normal-hearing adults in quiet and noise conditions with low and high informational masking. The difference between the average CAEP peak amplitude evoked by each vowel in the pair was compared across conditions. Scalp maps were generated to observe general cortical inhibitory networks in each condition. Significant gating occurred in quiet, while noise conditions resulted in a significantly decreased gating response. The gating function was significantly degraded in noise with less informational masking content, coinciding with a reduced activation of inhibitory gating networks. These findings illustrate the adverse effect of noise on pre-attentive inhibition related to speech perception.

3.
Cogn Res Princ Implic ; 9(1): 35, 2024 Jun 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38834918

ABSTRACT

Multilingual speakers can find speech recognition in everyday environments like restaurants and open-plan offices particularly challenging. In a world where speaking multiple languages is increasingly common, effective clinical and educational interventions will require a better understanding of how factors like multilingual contexts and listeners' language proficiency interact with adverse listening environments. For example, word and phrase recognition is facilitated when competing voices speak different languages. Is this due to a "release from masking" from lower-level acoustic differences between languages and talkers, or higher-level cognitive and linguistic factors? To address this question, we created a "one-man bilingual cocktail party" selective attention task using English and Mandarin speech from one bilingual talker to reduce low-level acoustic cues. In Experiment 1, 58 listeners more accurately recognized English targets when distracting speech was Mandarin compared to English. Bilingual Mandarin-English listeners experienced significantly more interference and intrusions from the Mandarin distractor than did English listeners, exacerbated by challenging target-to-masker ratios. In Experiment 2, 29 Mandarin-English bilingual listeners exhibited linguistic release from masking in both languages. Bilinguals experienced greater release from masking when attending to English, confirming an influence of linguistic knowledge on the "cocktail party" paradigm that is separate from primarily energetic masking effects. Effects of higher-order language processing and expertise emerge only in the most demanding target-to-masker contexts. The "one-man bilingual cocktail party" establishes a useful tool for future investigations and characterization of communication challenges in the large and growing worldwide community of Mandarin-English bilinguals.


Subject(s)
Attention , Multilingualism , Speech Perception , Humans , Speech Perception/physiology , Adult , Female , Male , Young Adult , Attention/physiology , Perceptual Masking/physiology , Psycholinguistics
4.
BMC Neurol ; 24(1): 208, 2024 Jun 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38890614

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts the health-related quality of life of affected individuals and their relatives. In order to support the affected individuals and their families in coping with PD, it is essential to offer comprehensive information about their experiences. A comprehensive understanding of their lived experiences with the disease, the healthcare system, applied self-management strategies and their needs is considered crucial for developing a PD support program. Therefore, we aimed to explore the lived experiences and support needs of individuals with PD and their relatives in Germany. METHODS: This non-interventional, qualitative study conducted an explorative status quo and needs assessment. It generated knowledge through semi-structured focus groups and interviews with individuals with PD at various disease stages and their relatives. The interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-two individuals with PD and 29 relatives participated in eight focus groups and 13 paired and 13 individual interviews. Four themes with corresponding subthemes emerged: (1) experiences, revealing individuals' experiences around their diagnosis and with disease-specific care provision; (2) management support offers, clarifying who provides support and the type of support offered; (3) self-management, including comprehensibility, meaningfulness and manageability; and (4) future needs, differentiating between deficits and needs. Most participants expressed a sense of abandonment when obtaining self-management strategies and mastering their lives with PD, often referred to as 'life 2.0'. They identified the lack of structured and adequate provision of information, system orientation and social awareness. CONCLUSIONS: In Germany, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive PD care program that addresses the needs of individuals with PD and their relatives from the start of their care trajectory. It could assist individuals in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the disease, obtaining self-management strategies, building a support network, and becoming experts in self-managing their disease. Moreover, it may positively influence their care trajectory and reduce burdens, such as overburdening, fear of progression, and health anxiety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Studies Register ( https://www.drks.de/DRKS00030090 , No. DRKS00030090, Date of registration: 15.12.2022).


Subject(s)
Family , Parkinson Disease , Qualitative Research , Self-Management , Humans , Male , Germany/epidemiology , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Parkinson Disease/psychology , Female , Self-Management/methods , Self-Management/psychology , Middle Aged , Aged , Family/psychology , Focus Groups/methods , Adult , Disease Management , Needs Assessment , Social Support , Aged, 80 and over , Quality of Life/psychology , Caregivers/psychology , Health Services Needs and Demand
5.
Adv Mater ; : e2403557, 2024 Jun 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38881489

ABSTRACT

Excessive cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can induce chronic inflammation by activating intracellular nucleic acid sensors. Intervention in cfDNA-mediated "pro-inflammatory signaling transduction" could be a potential alleviating strategy for chronic inflammation, such as in diabetic wounds. However, effectively and specifically downgrading cfDNA concentration in the pathological microenvironment remains a challenge. Therefore, this work prepares free-standing polydopamine nanosheets through DNA-guided assembly and loaded them into microfluidic hydrogel microspheres. The π─π stacking/hydrogen bonding interactions between polydopamine nanosheets and the π-rich bases of cfDNA, along with the cage-like spatial confinement created by the hydrogel polymer network, achieved cfDNA capture and storage, respectively. Catechol in polydopamine nanosheets can also assist in reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Efficient cfDNA binding independent of serum proteins, specific interdiction of abnormal activation of cfDNA-associated toll-like receptor 9, as well as down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines and ROS levels are shown in this system. The chronic inflammation alleviating and the pro-healing effects on the mice model with diabetic wounds are also investigated. This work presents a new strategy for capturing and storing cfDNA to intervene in cell signaling transduction. It also offers new insights into the regulatory mechanisms between inflammatory mediators and biomaterials in inflammation-related diseases.

6.
Soc Sci Med ; 352: 117031, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38850678

ABSTRACT

Our objective was to determine whether social media influences vaccination through informational and normative influences among Democrats and Republicans. We use a probability-based longitudinal study of Americans (N = 1768) collected between December 2022 and September 2023 to examine the prospective associations between social media use and vaccination as well as informational and normative influence as mediating processes. Greater social media use correlates with more frequent vaccination (cross-lagged coefficients: COVID-19 = 0.113, p < 0.001; influenza = 0.123, p < 0.001). The underlying processes, however, vary between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats who use social media more are more likely to vaccinate because they encounter information about new pathogens. In contrast, Republicans who use social media more are more likely to vaccinate because they think that people who are important to them receive the recommended vaccines. Our findings underscore the potential for social media campaigns to promote vaccination, among both Democrats and Republicans by paying attention to the specific processes in each audience.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Politics , Social Media , Vaccination , Humans , Social Media/statistics & numerical data , Male , Female , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data , Vaccination/psychology , Longitudinal Studies , COVID-19/prevention & control , Adult , Middle Aged , United States , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , Democracy , Prospective Studies
7.
Health Mark Q ; : 1-24, 2024 May 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38733260

ABSTRACT

From the integrative perspectives of the health belief model and social influence theories, the study sought to identify factors social and health marketers should focus on to elicit voluntary change in behavior toward the performance of COVID-19 infection prevention behaviors such as frequent handwashing with soap, social distancing, and avoidance of handshaking using mixed method approach. The quantitative data from 605 respondents through structured questionnaires were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The qualitative data through five focus group discussions were also analyzed using thematic analysis. The result shows that religiosity and trust in traditional medicine are the major factors contributing to the lack of severity and susceptibility to the coronavirus. The result further shows informational and normative social influencers as significant mediators between the constructs of the HBM and the performance of the COVID-19 protocols, suggesting that these influencers play a significant role in achieving the performance of the recommended behaviors.

8.
Health SA ; 29: 2432, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38726056

ABSTRACT

Background: Informational continuity ensures that all health and psychosocial information of the pregnant women is available at all encounters with healthcare providers. The World Health Organization recognised that ineffective informational continuity during birth contributed to fragmented care and duplication of services, which ultimately influenced the morbidity and mortality rates of the pregnant women. Aim: The aim of this study was to delve into the midwives' experiences on informational continuity approaches that enable effective care coordination during birth within the primary health care setting. Setting: The study setting was two maternity obstetric units (MOUs) in the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was used. Participants were recruited by using purposive sampling. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed. Results: Three themes emerged from the findings. Theme one: adequate sharing of information with women during the intrapartum period. Theme two: efficient transition of information among midwives and other healthcare providers during the intrapartum period. Theme three: challenges to informational continuity during the intrapartum period. Conclusion: Communication with the women as well as with other healthcare providers during birth was effective. However, with minimal challenges, informational continuity was effectuated through communication among the midwives, the pregnant women and other healthcare providers. Contribution: Informational continuity approaches among the midwives, with the women and between healthcare facilities are a prerequisite to ensure continuity of care and care coordination during birth.

9.
Front Hum Neurosci ; 18: 1377233, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38601801

ABSTRACT

Introduction: To investigate the brain's cognitive process and perceptual holistic, we have developed a novel method that focuses on the informational attributes of stimuli. Methods: We recorded EEG signals during visual and auditory perceptual cognition experiments and conducted ERP analyses to observe specific positive and negative components occurring after 400ms during both visual and auditory perceptual processes. These ERP components represent the brain's perceptual holistic processing activities, which we have named Information-Related Potentials (IRPs). We combined IRPs with machine learning methods to decode cognitive processes in the brain. Results: Our experimental results indicate that IRPs can better characterize information processing, particularly perceptual holism. Additionally, we conducted a brain network analysis and found that visual and auditory perceptual holistic processing share consistent neural pathways. Discussion: Our efforts not only demonstrate the specificity, significance, and reliability of IRPs but also reveal their great potential for future brain mechanism research and BCI applications.

10.
J Transl Med ; 22(1): 333, 2024 Apr 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38576021

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Disease progression in biosystems is not always a steady process but is occasionally abrupt. It is important but challenging to signal critical transitions in complex biosystems. METHODS: In this study, based on the theoretical framework of dynamic network biomarkers (DNBs), we propose a model-free method, edge-based relative entropy (ERE), to identify temporal key biomolecular associations/networks that may serve as DNBs and detect early-warning signals of the drastic state transition during disease progression in complex biological systems. Specifically, by combining gene‒gene interaction (edge) information with the relative entropy, the ERE method converts gene expression values into network entropy values, quantifying the dynamic change in a biomolecular network and indicating the qualitative shift in the system state. RESULTS: The proposed method was validated using simulated data and real biological datasets of complex diseases. The applications show that for certain diseases, the ERE method helps to reveal so-called "dark genes" that are non-differentially expressed but with high ERE values and of essential importance in both gene regulation and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method effectively identified the critical transition states of complex diseases at the network level. Our study not only identified the critical transition states of various cancers but also provided two types of new prognostic biomarkers, positive and negative edge biomarkers, for further practical application. The method in this study therefore has great potential in personalized disease diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Dinitrofluorobenzene/analogs & derivatives , Entropy , Humans , Biomarkers , Prognosis , Disease Progression
11.
J Med Internet Res ; 26: e47484, 2024 Apr 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38669066

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related death is on the rise in the United States, and there are significant disparities in outcomes for Black patients. Most solutions that address pregnancy-related death are hospital based, which rely on patients recognizing symptoms and seeking care from a health system, an area where many Black patients have reported experiencing bias. There is a need for patient-centered solutions that support and encourage postpartum people to seek care for severe symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the design needs for a mobile health (mHealth) patient-reported outcomes and decision-support system to assist Black patients in assessing when to seek medical care for severe postpartum symptoms. These findings may also support different perinatal populations and minoritized groups in other clinical settings. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with 36 participants-15 (42%) obstetric health professionals, 10 (28%) mental health professionals, and 11 (31%) postpartum Black patients. The interview questions included the following: current practices for symptom monitoring, barriers to and facilitators of effective monitoring, and design requirements for an mHealth system that supports monitoring for severe symptoms. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. We analyzed transcripts using directed content analysis and the constant comparative process. We adopted a thematic analysis approach, eliciting themes deductively using conceptual frameworks from health behavior and human information processing, while also allowing new themes to inductively arise from the data. Our team involved multiple coders to promote reliability through a consensus process. RESULTS: Our findings revealed considerations related to relevant symptom inputs for postpartum support, the drivers that may affect symptom processing, and the design needs for symptom self-monitoring and patient decision-support interventions. First, participants viewed both somatic and psychological symptom inputs as important to capture. Second, self-perception; previous experience; sociocultural, financial, environmental, and health systems-level factors were all perceived to impact how patients processed, made decisions about, and acted upon their symptoms. Third, participants provided recommendations for system design that involved allowing for user control and freedom. They also stressed the importance of careful wording of decision-support messages, such that messages that recommend them to seek care convey urgency but do not provoke anxiety. Alternatively, messages that recommend they may not need care should make the patient feel heard and reassured. CONCLUSIONS: Future solutions for postpartum symptom monitoring should include both somatic and psychological symptoms, which may require combining existing measures to elicit symptoms in a nuanced manner. Solutions should allow for varied, safe interactions to suit individual needs. While mHealth or other apps may not be able to address all the social or financial needs of a person, they may at least provide information, so that patients can easily access other supportive resources.


Subject(s)
Postpartum Period , Qualitative Research , Telemedicine , Humans , Female , Adult , Postpartum Period/psychology , Telemedicine/methods , Black or African American/psychology , Pregnancy , Interviews as Topic
12.
J Health Psychol ; : 13591053241245263, 2024 Apr 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38584337

ABSTRACT

Previous research on health information seeking has primarily focused on individuals'intentions to seek or avoid information. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the actual behavioral patterns of information-seeking and non-seeking. To address this, we conducted a survey experiment manipulating cognitive load with mostly Belgian participants (N = 359). By integrating self-report and behavioral data, we investigated motivations and conditions associated with information (non)-seeking behaviors on a healthy diet. Guided by the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, we examined the roles of informational subjective norms and information insufficiency, as well as the moderating role of cognitive capacity. Neither informational subjective norms nor information insufficiency significantly correlated with information-seeking behaviors. However, a significant interaction between the predictors and cognitive capacity in predicting non-seeking behaviors was observed. These findings underscore the intricate nature of individuals' behavioral patterns in seeking or not seeking information about healthy eating.

13.
BMC Public Health ; 24(1): 871, 2024 Mar 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38515081

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by an abundance of information, some of it reliable and some of it misinformation. Evidence-based data on the impact of misinformation on attitudes and behaviours remains limited. Studies indicate that older adults are more likely to embrace and disseminate misinformation than other population groups, making them vulnerable to misinformation. The purpose of this article is to explore the effects of misinformation and information overload on older adults, and to present the management strategies put in place to deal with such effects, in the context of COVID-19. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted to conduct this research. A total of 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults living in Quebec, Canada. The interviews were fully transcribed and subjected to a thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Participants said they could easily spot misinformation online. Despite this, misinformation and its treatment by the media could generate fear, stress and anxiety. Moreover, the polarization induced by misinformation resulted in tensions and even friendship breakdowns. Participants also denounced the information overload produced largely by the media. To this end, the participants set up information routines targeting the sources of information and the times at which they consulted the information. CONCLUSIONS: This article questions the concept of vulnerability to misinformation by highlighting older adults' agency in managing misinformation and information overload. Furthermore, this study invites us to rethink communication strategies by distinguishing between information overload and misinformation.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Humans , Aged , Communication , Qualitative Research , Anxiety , Anxiety Disorders
14.
Stress Health ; : e3390, 2024 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38427329

ABSTRACT

Based on the Work-Home Resources Model and Conservation of Resources Theory, we develop dual mechanisms by which nice interactions (patients' compliments and coworkers' informational support) predict sleep quality. Specifically, we expect these nice interactions to help individuals conserve their personal energy in the form of less cognitive depletion (a cognitive process) and diminished physical fatigue (a physical process). Further, we propose employees utilise their energy resources to experience better sleep quality. To test the proposed model, we utilised an experience-sampling method by recruiting 223 female nurses working in a regional university hospital in South Korea. Specifically, we measured nice interactions and personal resources at 3 PM on Day t and sleep quality at 5-6 AM on Day t + 1, and we administered the questionnaire for 10 consecutive days. Overall, after removing 79 invalid observations (not completing questionnaire in a timely manner), we had a final total of two-wave 1997 daily observations from 223 nurses. Receiving more compliments from patients and more information from coworkers positively affects nurses' cognitive energy (less cognitive depletion) and physical energy (less physical fatigue), which predicts better sleep quality. Finally, results supported indirect effects of these nice interactions on sleep quality via cognitive and physical processes.

15.
Soc Neurosci ; 19(1): 25-36, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38426851

ABSTRACT

Social influence plays a crucial role during the teen years, with adolescents supposedly exhibiting heightened sensitivity to their peers. In this study, we examine how social influence from different sources, particularly those with varying normative and informational significance, affect adolescents' opinion change. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying neural dynamics to determine whether these two behaviorally similar influences share their neural mechanisms. Twenty-three participants (14-17 years old) gave their opinions about facial stimuli and received feedback from either a peer group or an expert group, while brain responses were recorded using concurrent magnetoencephalography. In a second rating session, we found that participants' opinions changed in line with conflicting feedback, but only when the feedback was lower than their initial evaluation. On the neural level, conflict with peers evoked stronger neural responses than conflict with experts in the 230-400 ms time window and the right frontotemporal magnetometer channels. Nevertheless, there was no greater conformity toward peers. Moreover, conflict compared to no conflict decreased neural oscillations in the beta frequency range (20-26 Hz) at the right frontal and parietal channels. Taken together, our findings do not support the general assumption that adolescent behavior is excessively vulnerable to peer norms, although we found heightened neural sensitivity to peer feedback.


Subject(s)
Magnetoencephalography , Humans , Adolescent , Male , Female , Brain/physiology , Adolescent Behavior/physiology , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Peer Group , Peer Influence , Feedback, Psychological/physiology , Conflict, Psychological
16.
MethodsX ; 12: 102575, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38313697

ABSTRACT

The Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operator is a multicriteria method that has conquered space among researchers in the composite indicators field. Typically, OWA operator weights are defined by the decision maker. This type of weighting is highly criticized, as decision-makers are susceptible to errors and bias in judgment. Some methods have been used to define OWA operator weights objectively. However, none of them is concerned about the quality of the composite indicator. This paper introduces a method that defines the weights of the OWA operator based on two quality parameters of the composite indicator: the ability to capture the concept of the multidimensional phenomenon and the informational loss. The method can be implemented in Microsoft Excel Solver and has a high degree of flexibility and applicability in problems of a multidimensional nature and a high degree of appropriation by researchers and practitioners in the area.•Defines weights that maximize the ability of the composite indicator to capture the concept of the multidimensional phenomenon.•Considers restrictions to limit the informational loss of the composite indicator or emphasize positive or negative aspects of the multidimensional phenomenon.•Offers flexibility in setting the objective and constraints of the optimization algorithm.

17.
Biosystems ; 237: 105133, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38336225

ABSTRACT

Life codes increase in both number and variety with biological complexity. Although our knowledge of codes is constantly expanding, the evolutionary progression of organic, neural, and cultural codes in response to selection pressure remains poorly understood. Greater clarification of the selective mechanisms is achieved by investigating how major evolutionary transitions reduce spatiotemporal and energetic constraints on transmitting heritable code to offspring. Evolution toward less constrained flows is integral to enduring flow architecture everywhere, in both engineered and natural flow systems. Beginning approximately 4 billion years ago, the most basic level for transmitting genetic material to offspring was initiated by protocell division. Evidence from ribosomes suggests that protocells transmitted comma-free or circular codes, preceding the evolution of standard genetic code. This rudimentary information flow within protocells is likely to have first emerged within the geo-energetic and geospatial constraints of hydrothermal vents. A broad-gauged hypothesis is that major evolutionary transitions overcame such constraints with tri-flow adaptations. The interconnected triple flows incorporated energy-converting, spatiotemporal, and code-based informational dynamics. Such tri-flow adaptations stacked sequence splicing code on top of protein-DNA recognition code in eukaryotes, prefiguring the transition to sexual reproduction. Sex overcame the spatiotemporal-energetic constraints of binary fission with further code stacking. Examples are tubulin code and transcription initiation code in vertebrates. In a later evolutionary transition, language reduced metabolic-spatiotemporal constraints on inheritance by stacking phonetic, phonological, and orthographic codes. In organisms that reproduce sexually, each major evolutionary transition is shown to be a tri-flow adaptation that adds new levels of code-based informational exchange. Evolving biological complexity is also shown to increase the nongenetic transmissibility of code.


Subject(s)
Eukaryota , Genetic Code , Animals , Genetic Code/genetics , Eukaryota/genetics , Vertebrates/genetics , Reproduction , Ribosomes , Evolution, Molecular
18.
Health SA ; 29: 2403, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38322373

ABSTRACT

Background: Informational continuity (IC) is one of the four approaches that enables integrated people-centered health services. IC enables the availability of all health and psychosocial information of the pregnant women at all health encounters. World Health Organization (WHO) recognised that ineffective IC results in fragmented health care and duplication of services. Hence, IC may assist in the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of skilled birth attendants (SBAs) with IC during the antenatal period. Setting: Three primary healthcare centers in Maseru district, Lesotho. Methods: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was used with purposive sampling to choose nine participants. Results: Four themes emerged; Theme one: SBAs and pregnant women information communication, theme two: Information communication between the SBAs, theme three: information collection during ANC and theme four: guidelines used during ANC to standardise care. Several challenges regarding information communication form the sources of information, transition of information, information between caregivers and women which demonstrated the frustration between the women and the SBAs during ANC leading to ineffective care coordination. Conclusion: Enabling IC during ANC enables effective data collection from the sources of information, transition of information during care giving within and between health facilities. Contribution: Effective informational continuity enables effective care coordination in ANC in Lesotho.

19.
J Gastrointest Surg ; 28(1): 64-69, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38353076

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The internet is a common source of health information for patients. Interactive online artificial intelligence (AI) may be a more reliable source of health-related information than traditional search engines. This study aimed to assess the quality and perceived utility of chat-based AI responses related to 3 common gastrointestinal (GI) surgical procedures. METHODS: A survey of 24 questions covering general perioperative information on cholecystectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and colectomy was created. Each question was posed to Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in June 2023, and the generated responses were recorded. The quality and perceived utility of responses were independently and subjectively graded by expert respondents specific to each surgical field. Grades were classified as "poor," "fair," "good," "very good," or "excellent." RESULTS: Among the 45 respondents (general surgeon [n = 13], surgical oncologist [n = 18], colorectal surgeon [n = 13], and transplant surgeon [n = 1]), most practiced at an academic facility (95.6%). Respondents had been in practice for a mean of 12.3 years (general surgeon, 14.5 ± 7.2; surgical oncologist, 12.1 ± 8.2; colorectal surgeon, 10.2 ± 8.0) and performed a mean 53 index operations annually (cholecystectomy, 47 ± 28; PD, 28 ± 27; colectomy, 81 ± 44). Overall, the most commonly assigned quality grade was "fair" or "good" for most responses (n = 622/1080, 57.6%). Most of the 1080 total utility grades were "fair" (n = 279, 25.8%) or "good" (n = 344, 31.9%), whereas only 129 utility grades (11.9%) were "poor." Of note, ChatGPT responses related to cholecystectomy (45.3% ["very good"/"excellent"] vs 18.1% ["poor"/"fair"]) were deemed to be better quality than AI responses about PD (18.9% ["very good"/"excellent"] vs 46.9% ["poor"/"fair"]) or colectomy (31.4% ["very good"/"excellent"] vs 38.3% ["poor"/"fair"]). Overall, only 20.0% of the experts deemed ChatGPT to be an accurate source of information, whereas 15.6% of the experts found it unreliable. Moreover, 1 in 3 surgeons deemed ChatGPT responses as not likely to reduce patient-physician correspondence (31.1%) or not comparable to in-person surgeon responses (35.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Although a potential resource for patient education, ChatGPT responses to common GI perioperative questions were deemed to be of only modest quality and utility to patients. In addition, the relative quality of AI responses varied markedly on the basis of procedure type.


Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms , Surgeons , Humans , Artificial Intelligence , Colectomy , Pancreaticoduodenectomy
20.
Bull Cancer ; 111(2): 222-227, 2024 Feb.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38199834

ABSTRACT

Information overload, informational stress and its deleterious consequences constitute a subject of growing interest in the way of work. This is quite well documented among anesthesiologists. Studies have also been carried out on cancer patients or on the general public in terms of cancer prevention. After having defined the concepts and the consequences, we hypothesize the presence of informational stress among medical oncologists. We illustrate this hypothesis regarding adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Specific studies (qualitative and quantitative ones) would be particularly interesting in oncology.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Oncologists , Humans , Female , Decision Making , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Medical Oncology
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