RESUMEN

Urological malignancy (UM) is among the leading threats to health care worldwide. Recent years have seen much investment in fundamental UM research, including mechanistic investigation, early diagnosis, immunotherapy, and nanomedicine. However, the results are not fully satisfactory. Bioprinted research models (BRMs) with programmed spatial structures and functions can serve as powerful research tools and are likely to disrupt traditional UM research paradigms. Herein, a comprehensive review of BRMs of UM is presented. It begins with a brief introduction and comparison of existing UM research models, emphasizing the advantages of BRMs, such as modeling real tissues and organs. Six kinds of mainstream bioprinting techniques used to fabricate such BRMs are summarized with examples. Thereafter, research advances in the applications of UM BRMs, such as culturing tumor spheroids and organoids, modeling cancer metastasis, mimicking the tumor microenvironment, constructing organ chips for drug screening, and isolating circulating tumor cells, are comprehensively discussed. At the end of this review, current challenges and future development directions of BRMs and UM are highlighted from the perspective of interdisciplinary science.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Developing a digital educational application focused on sexual health education necessitates a framework that integrates cultural considerations effectively. Drawing from previous research, we identified the problem and essential requirements to incorporate cultural insights into the development of a solution. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the Solution Room of the self-established Intercultural Research Model, with a focus on creating a reusable framework for developing and implementing a widely accessible digital educational tool for sexual health. The study centers on advancing from a low-fidelity prototype (She!Masomo) to a high-fidelity prototype (We!Masomo), while evaluating its system usability through differentiation. This research contributes to the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 5. METHODS: The research methodology is anchored in the Solution Room of the self-expanded Intercultural Research Model, which integrates cultural considerations. It uses a multimethod, user-centered design thinking approach, focusing on extensive human involvement for the open web-based application. This includes gathering self-assessed textual user feedback, conducting a System Usability Scale (SUS) analysis, and conducting 4 face-to-face semistructured expert interviews, following COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) guidelines. RESULTS: Based on the identified limitations of the low-fidelity prototype, She!Masomo (SUS score 67), which were highlighted through textual user feedback (63/77) and prototype feature comparisons, iterative development and improvement were implemented. This process led to the creation of an enhanced high-fidelity prototype (We!Masomo). The improved effectiveness of the enhanced prototype was evaluated using the qualitative SUS analysis (82/90), resulting in a favorable score of 77.3, compared with the previous SUS score of 67 for the low-fidelity prototype. Highlighting the importance of accessible digital educational tools, this study conducted 4 expert interviews (4/4) and reported e-survey results following the CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys) guideline. The digital educational platform, We!Masomo, is specifically designed to promote universal and inclusive free access to information. Therefore, the developed high-fidelity prototype was implemented in Kenya. CONCLUSIONS: The primary outcome of this research provides a comprehensive exploration of utilizing a case study methodology to advance the development of digital educational web tools, particularly focusing on cultural sensitivity and sensitive educational subjects. It offers critical insights for effectively introducing such tools in regions with limited resources. Nonetheless, it is crucial to emphasize that the findings underscore the importance of integrating culture-specific components during the design phase. This highlights the necessity of conducting a thorough requirement engineering analysis and developing a low-fidelity prototype, followed by an SUS analysis. These measures are particularly critical when disseminating sensitive information, such as sexual health, through digital platforms. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s12905-023-02839-6.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Research model selection decisions in basic and preclinical biomedical research have not yet been the subject of an ethical investigation. Therefore, this paper aims, (1) to identify a spectrum of reasons for choosing between animal and alternative research models (e.g., based on in vitro or in silico models) and (2) provides an ethical analysis of the selected reasons. METHODS: In total, 13 researchers were interviewed; the interviews were analyzed qualitatively. The ethical analysis was based on the principlism approach and a value judgement model. RESULTS: This paper presents 66 reasons underlying the choice of researchers using animal (27 reasons) or alternative models (39). Most of the reasons were assigned to the work environment (29) and scientific standards (22). Other reasons were assigned to personal attitudes (11) and animal welfare (4). Qualitative relevant normative differences are presented in the ethical analysis. Even if few reasons can be rejected outright from an ethical point of view, there are good reasons to give some more weight than others. CONCLUSIONS: The spectrum of reasons and their ethical assessment provide a framework for reflection for researchers who may have to choose between animal models and (investing in) alternatives. This can help to reflect on and ethically justify decisions.

RESUMEN

Equestrian sport has various welfare issues and educational needs. To address these complex interactions, we propose an integrated approach called the Triple-E Model, which focuses on the equine, equestrian, and environmental triad. A literature review of existing models suggests that complexities of these interactions are overlooked, despite the significant impact of equine industries on economics, healthcare, and animal welfare. This paper discusses current models and theories used to evaluate equine-equestrian-environmental interactions and introduces the Triple-E Model to foster multidisciplinary collaboration. Unlike the One Health triad, which focuses on disease emergence, transmission, and zoonosis, the Triple-E Model extends to non-infectious research, such as musculoskeletal injury. It promotes collaborative care and rehabilitation within the equestrian community by engaging multidisciplinary, multi-setting, and multi-sectoral teams. Given the nature of human-animal interaction and welfare considerations, this model fills the gap in understanding human-horse interactions. The paper highlights the limitations of existing models and explains how the Triple-E Model guides and encourages holistic team collaboration in the equestrian community.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Focusing on patients' perceived values is essential for patient-centered health care. Only by identifying the patient's preferred values can we better meet their needs and provide them with valuable medical services. This study aimed to construct and validate a research model to obtain an overall quantification of patient value during outpatient encounters. METHODS: The development of the research model was based on the reviewed literature, and an initial theoretical framework was formed by an expert panel discussion. A scale questionnaire for all the items was adapted from previous research related to patient value, verified using a presurvey, and thus used for data collection for this study. The structural equation model was used to determine and evaluate the research model of the values patients perceived during outpatient encounters. RESULTS: 572 eligible respondents who completed outpatient visits from a typical public hospital in China participated in this study from November 2020 to February 2021. We constructed the patient perceived value (PPV) model to identify core values, which includes eight dimensions and 29 items in terms of functional value (installation, efficiency, price, service quality), emotional value (interactive, control), and social value (accessibility, image) from two subgroups of patient value outside and in the outpatient visit process. Cronbach's alpha for the whole model was 0.950. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the PPV model fits well, with a correlation of 0.83 between the two subgroups. CONCLUSION: It is essential to recognize the values based on patients' perceptions and experiences throughout the entire visit process. Our findings offer targeted insights for healthcare administrators, enabling them to holistically optimize outpatient service processes and continually enhance the quality of outpatient medical services from the patient's perspective.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Purpose: The Inclusive Society partnership research model aims to promote change in society for people with disabilities by supporting research teams composed of researchers and partner organizations. The objective of this article is to identify the strengths and limitations of this research model.Material and methods: An autoethnography approach was used. Thematic analysis of four methods was undertaken: semi-directed interviews with members of the research teams funded by Inclusive Society (researchers, partners), a focus group with the Inclusive Society's intersectoral collaboration agents, their logbooks, and Inclusive Society's annual reports.Results: Strengths and limitations of the Inclusive Society model were identified through their networking activities, the role and support of the intersectoral collaboration agents and the partnership research program.Conclusions: Networking activities are an essential element of Inclusive Society. They are indispensable for composing intersectoral research teams that will work on answering needs of people with disabilities. Intersectoral collaboration agents are also a strength of the model, but their role could be clarified to better frame what tasks are in their scope of practice and what the research teams could ask from them. Finally, the research program eligibility criteria could be improved to support, among others, the projects' appropriation phases.

Networking activities stimulate the creation of intersectoral research teams centered on answering the needs of people with disabilities that are identified in the fieldHired facilitators can play an important role in the emergence of research teams, merging the academic and non-academic worlds, and supporting the teams during their research projectIn participatory research projects, some funding should be reserved to support the partner organization's participation and the appropriation phase of the research projects.

RESUMEN

Neuroaesthetics research explores brain, body and behavioral responses to engagement with the arts and other aesthetic sensory experiences. Evidence indicates that such experiences can help address various psychological, neurological and physiological disorders, and that they can support mental and physical well-being and learning in the general population. The interdisciplinary nature of this work contributes to its impact and promise; however, it also creates challenges as various disciplines approach and define research and practice in varied ways. Recent field-wide reports have noted that a consensus translational framework is needed to support further neuroaesthetics research that can deliver meaningful knowledge and interventions. The Impact Thinking Framework (ITF) was designed to meet this need. Through a description of the framework's nine iterative steps and a presentation of three case studies, this paper posits that the ITF can support researchers and practitioners in understanding and applying aesthetic experiences and the arts to advance health, well-being, and learning.

RESUMEN

Human papilloma viruses (HPV), that are causative for most squamous cell cervical cancers (SCC), have a simple structure with only a few genes (six early and two late genes). Two of the early HPV genes (E6 and E7) are capable of transforming normal squamous epithelium into cancer. In the last 10 years, a controversial discussion arose as to which cells are primarily involved in cervical carcinogenesis. Virologists traditionally use a research model of stratified squamous epithelium, a permissive environment for completion of a full HPV-life cycle. Basic insights on HPV tropism, HPV life cycle, HPV-uptake, HPV-replication, HPV-gene expression were gained from this model. Stratified squamous epithelium, however, is a low-risk area for SCC. Most SCC develop in an area of endocervical columnar epithelium that undergoes squamous metaplasia. SCC arise after infection of immature squamous metaplasia, proliferating reserve cells/reserve cell hyperplasia and reserve cells of the endocervical columnar epithelium. Study models investigating this pathway of carcinogenesis do not exist and therapeutic consequences deduced from this knowledge are lacking. This review describes in detail cervical carcinogenesis after HPV infection of subcolumnar reserve cells and discusses new intervention strategies for patients. The WHO-launched global strategy to eliminate HPV-associated cervical cancer builds primarily on prophylactic vaccination, screening and treatment. New insights in cervical pathogenesis, may assist in reaching this ambitious WHO goal.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This study aimed to explore the spiritual pain concept in the Iranian-Islamic context using a hybrid research model during 2020-2021. During the first phase, international and Iranian-Islamic literature was systematically searched and reviewed. During the second phase, the researchers referred to oncology wards, palliative care centers, and intensive care units and conducted unstructured interviews with 19 dying patients. In the third phase, attributes, and final analysis of spiritual pain was extracted from the first phase, and following the second phase, the definition of spiritual pain was finalized. The results showed that spiritual pain is a type of unique transcendental pain in the context of a continuum, rooted in human nature. At the one end of the continuum, there is the pain of deprivation from worldly pleasures (oneself, the family, and others). At the other end, there is the pain of breaking away from and striving to return to one's origin (God). Exploring spiritual pain in the Iranian-Islamic context can help develop tools and clinical guidelines and plan for the presence of specialists at the bedside to relieve this pain.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Postoperative asymptomatic patients with early cancer (lung cancer) have dormant disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in their metastatic target organs, and the proliferation of these DTCs is the key link leading to clinical metastasis. The development of therapeutic agents to maintain DTCs dormant or eradicate dormant DTCs will prevent tumor metastasis and break through the bottleneck of improving the overall efficacy of treating malignant tumors. This paper reviews the methods of establishing in vitro and in vivo research models of DTCs with dormant characteristics to promote the understanding of dormant DTCs and improve the research and development efficiency of anti-tumor metastasis drugs.

RESUMEN

Hypertension is one of the significant risk factors for many noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, stroke and chronic artery diseases. Despite the dismal scenario of CVDs in India, there is paucity of research in the field, which hampers effective decision making. In cognizance of the crucial role played by operational research (OR) in NCD policy design and program implementation, the Resource Center of Cardiovasuclar Health issued an open call for a manuscript writing program on hypertension using secondary data of National Family Health Survey-4. After thorough screening of the concept proposals of the applicants, 30 researchers were selected. Each of the 30 selected researchers further formed team of 3-7 researchers per team, thus having almost 150 + researchers on the board. Besides receiving the short workshops for the finalization of research question and manuscript writing, each team of researchers was assigned an OR mentor for guidance, review and finalization of the manuscript. There were two levels of peer review for each manuscript. In this first-of-its-operational research (OR) model on hypertension, we built the capacity of young researchers from various medical and research institutes of country in OR related to hypertension in India. The models' success is proved by its cost-effective approach and development of 30 high-quality research articles on hypertension. While we faced challenges in the process, several lessons were learned which will be instrumental in the future planning and implementation of such OR programs for other public health issues.

RESUMEN

The COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled interest in online learning as a desirable substitute. In Saudi Arabia's educational system, technology and online learning are becoming more and more significant. In order to prepare students for the digital age and Saudi Vision 2030, there is an increasing desire for educational institutions to use e-learning. Students and faculty at Saudi institutions now have more opportunities to better grasp the globalized digital age thanks to the integration and acceptance of digital technology into learning and teaching. Therefore, this study aims to analyze and investigate the educational quality, social influence, and TAM Model factors that increase the students' attitude toward using e-learning; thus, it affects students' satisfaction and academic performance. The study was conducted at two universities in Saudi Arabia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and route analysis were used to evaluate the research model and analyze data from e-learning users through a questionnaire. The findings revealed that perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU) mediate the effects of educational quality (EDQ), social influence (SOI), and perceived enjoyment (PE), which in turn affect students' attitude toward use (ATU), and students' satisfaction with using e-learning systems (SSE). Additionally, the results demonstrated that the mediator factors had favorable "R square (R2)" values for adopting e-learning systems in higher education, with PEU = 0.562, PU = 0.712, ATU = 0.608, and SSE = 0.636. The hypotheses' findings led to the development of a validated instrument to measure students' online learning in Saudi Arabia's higher education.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has drastically changed human society in a relatively short time. However, this crisis has offered insights into the different roles that such a worldwide virus plays in the lives of people and how those have been affected, as well as eventually proposing new solutions. From the beginning of the pandemic, technology solutions have featured prominently in virus control and in the frame of reference for international travel, especially contact tracing and passenger locator applications. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to study specific areas of technology acceptance and adoption following a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) research model. METHODS: We presented a research model based on UTAUT constructs to study the determinants for adoption of COVID-19-related apps using a questionnaire. We tested the model via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) using travelers' data from an insular tourist region. RESULTS: Our model explained 90.3% of the intention to use (N=9555) and showed an increased understanding of the vital role of safety, security, privacy, and trust in the usage intention of safety apps. Results also showed how the impact of COVID-19 is not a strong predictor of adoption, while age, education level, and social capital are essential moderators of behavioral intention. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of scientific impact, the results described here provide important insights and contributions not only for researchers but also for policy and decision makers by explaining the reasons behind the adoption and usage of apps designed for COVID-19.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), is a platform that allows simultaneous testing and treatment of the lungs. However, use of EVLP is costly and requires access to lab animals and accompanying facilities. To increase the use of EVLP for research, we developed a method to perform EVLP using abattoir procured lungs. Furthermore, we were also able to significantly decrease costs. METHODS: Six pair of lungs were procured from abattoir sheep. The lungs were then flushed and stored in ice for 3 h. A low-flow (20% of cardiac output) approach, a tidal volume of 6 ml/kg bodyweight and total perfusion time of 3 h were chosen. Perfusion fluids and circuits were self-made. Lung biopsies, perfusate collection, respiratory values, circulatory pressures were recorded and hourly blood gas analyses were performed. RESULTS: Mean pO2 remained stable from 60 min (49.3 ± 7.1 kPa) to 180 min (51.5 kPa ± 8.0), p = 0.66. Pulmonary artery pressure remained ≤15 mm Hg and the left atrial pressure remained between 3 and 5 mm Hg and peak respiratory pressures ≤20 cmH2 O. Lactate dehydrogenase increased from start (96.3 ± 56.4 U/L) to the end of perfusion (315.8 ± 85.0 U/L), p < 0.05. No difference was observed in ATP between procurement and post-EVLP, 129.7 ± 37.4 µmol/g protein to 132.0 ± 23.4 µmol/g, p = 0.92. CONCLUSIONS: Sheep lungs, acquired from an abattoir, can be ex vivo perfused under similar conditions as lab animal lungs with similar results regarding e.g., oxygenation and ATP restoration. Furthermore, costs can be significantly reduced by making use of this abattoir model. By increasing accessibility and lowering costs for experiments using lung perfusion, more results may be achieved in the field of lung diseases.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive tumor characterized by a poor prognosis. Therapeutic options are limited in patients with advanced stage of CCA, as a result of the intrinsic or acquired resistance to currently available chemotherapeutic agents, and the lack of new drugs entering into clinical application. The challenge in translating basic research to the clinical setting, caused by preclinical models not being able to recapitulate the tumor characteristics of the patient, seems to be an important reason for the lack of effective and specific therapies for CCA. So, there seems to be two ways to improve patient outcomes. The first one is developing the combination therapies based on a better understanding of the mechanisms contributing to the resistance to currently available chemotherapeutic agents. The second one is developing novel preclinical experimental models that better recapitulate the genetic and histopathological features of the primary tumor, facilitating the screening of new drugs for CCA patients. In this review, we discussed the evidence implicating the mechanisms underlying treatment resistance to currently investigated drugs, and the development of preclinical experiment models for CCA.

RESUMEN

Traditional monolayer cell cultures often fail to accurately predict the anticancer activity of drug candidates, as they do not recapitulate the natural microenvironment. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have been increasingly applied to cancer research and drug screening. Materials with good biocompatibility are crucial to create a 3D tumor microenvironment involved in such systems. In this study, natural silk fibroin (SF) and chitosan (CS) were selected as the raw materials to fabricate 3D microscaffolds; Besides, sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) were used as cross-linking agents. The physicochemical properties of obtained scaffolds were characterized with kinds of testing methods, including emission scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water absorption, and swelling ratio analysis. Cancer cell lines (LoVo and MDA-MB-231) were then seeded on scaffolds for biocompatibility examination and drug sensitivity tests. SEM results showed that EDC cross-linked scaffolds had smaller and more uniform pores with great interconnection than the TPP cross-linked scaffolds, and the EDC cross-linked scaffold exhibited a water absorption ratio around 1000% and a swelling ratio of about 72%. These spatial structures and physical properties could provide more adhesion sites and sufficient nutrients for cell growth. Moreover, both LoVo and MDA-MB-231 cells cultured on the EDC cross-linked scaffold exhibited good adhesion and spreading. CCK8 results showed that increased chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity was observed in 3D culture compared with 2D culture, particularly in the condition of low drug dose (<1  µ M). The proposed SF/CS microscaffold can provide a promising in vitro platform for the efficacy prediction and sensitivity screening of anticancer drugs.

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To define the radiological arterial anatomy in mature microminipigs as a pre-clinical research animal model in interventional radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five female microminipigs (weighing 20.9 ± 2.9 kg) were used in this study. Under general anesthesia, computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed using a 16-slice CT scanner. CT was performed 12 s after initiation of an intravenous injection of 40 ml of nonionic contrast media at 3.0 ml/second using a power injector. The transverse CT angiography images were evaluated using a digital imaging and communication in medicine viewer, and the diameters of the following 41 arteries were measured.: ascending aorta, descending aorta, thoracoabdominal aorta, abdominal aorta, pulmonary artery trunk, both pulmonary, brachiocephalic artery, short common bicarotid, both common carotid artery, subclavian, bronchial, internal mammary, celiac, common hepatic, left lateral hepatic, middle hepatic, left hepatic, gastroduodenal, cranial duodenopancreatic, splenic, left gastric, cranial mesenteric, ileocolic , bilateral colic artery, caudal mesenteric, cranial rectal, renal, both external iliac arteries, internal iliac common trunk, and both internal iliac and femoral arteries. RESULTS: The microminipigs' vascular anatomy was the same as domestic pig anatomy and similar to human anatomy. The diameter of the aorta (ascending to abdominal) was 17.1-7.0 mm, iliac and femoral arteries (internal iliac common trunk to femoral artery): 5.5-3.8 mm, pulmonary arteries: 9.3-14.7 mm, and major first aortic branches (e.g., celiac or brachiocephalic artery): 2.2-9.2 mm. CONCLUSION: This study defined the microminipig arterial anatomy in the trunk.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has become one of the great risks for children′s development and health, while its pathogenesis and progression characteristics are still not clear.The establishment of NAFLD specific research model can help to explore and reveal the role of related pathways in the occurrence and development of NAFLD.The existing models for the study of NAFLD in children mainly include diet-induced animal models and in vitro hepatocyte culture models.In recent years, organoids cultured from stem cells have similar spatial tissues of corresponding organs and can reproduce some functions of corresponding organs, which can be used to simulate liver inflammation and fibrosis process.In this paper, we will introduce these models and methods, focus on the construction and application of organoids, and look forward to the application of models for children NAFLD in the future.

RESUMEN

Objectives: The pig is a common model utilized to support substantiation of novel bioactive components in infant formula. However, reference ranges for outcomes to determine safety are unclear. Our objective was to use historical data to objectively define typical body and organ growth metrics of the domesticated pig in research. Methods: Twenty-two studies were compiled to assess typical growth of body and organ weights in young pigs. Metadata were organized to include milk replacer sources, bioactive components, sex, breed, source of herd, feeding regimen, and rearing environment. A combination of statistical models including simple linear regression and linear mixed effect models were used to assess typical growth patterns. Results: Over 18,000 data points from 786 animals were available. In general, minimal differences in the growth of pigs who were male and female, artificially- or sow-reared, or fed ad libitum- or by scheduled-feeding, were observed in the first 30 days of life (P > 0.05). A weight-for-age chart from reference pigs was developed to compare body weights of pigs demonstrating growth characterized as accelerated, typical, reduced, and failure to thrive to illustrate effects of dietary interventions. Distributions of relative brain, liver, and intestine weights (as % of total body weight) were similar between rearing environments and sexes. An alternative bivariate level approach was utilized for the analysis of organ weights. This approach revealed significant biologically-relevant insights into how deficient diets can affect organ weight that a univariate level assessment of weight distribution was unable to detect. Conclusions: Ultimately, these data can be used to better interpret whether bioactive ingredients tested in the pig model affect growth and development within typical reference values for pigs in the first 30 days of life.