Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive, heterogeneous, and fatal types of human cancer; therefore, more effective therapeutic drugs are urgently needed. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression and amplification have been identified as a cornerstone in this pathology. The aim of this review is to identify HER2 membrane overexpression in relation to pancreatic cancer pathways that can be used in order to develop a targeted therapy. After searching the keywords, 174 articles were found during a time span of 10 years, between 2013 and 2023, but only twelve scientific papers were qualified for this investigation. The new era of biomolecular research found a significant relationship between HER2 overexpression and pancreatic cancer cells in 25–30% of cases. The variables are dependent on tumor-derived cells, with differences in receptor overexpression between PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), BTC (biliary tract cancer), ampullary carcinoma, and PNETs (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors). HER2 overexpression is frequently encountered in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, and the ERBB family is one of the targets in the near future of therapy, with good results in phase I, II, and III studies evaluating downregulation and tumor downstaging, respectively. Full article

A sustainable approach is proposed for managing the effects of salinity ingression in Salalah coastal aquifer, Oman. This paper aims to analyze and compare the groundwater levels and salinity of the aquifer from 1993 to 2027, considering both predictive and actual transient scenarios. Two novel scenarios were proposed, established, and examined in this study to bring back the aquifer to steady-state condition. The first scenario entails ceasing groundwater pumping from both Salalah and Saada wellfields, while compensating for the groundwater supply from these sources with surplus desalinated water. This scenario is projected to occur during the predictive period spanning from 2023 to 2027, denoted Scenario A. The second scenario is business as usual and involves continuing pumping from both wellfields during the same predictive period, denoted Scenario B. A numerical model for 3D flow simulation and advective transport modeling showed that on the eastern side of the Salalah coastal aquifer, the extent of seawater intrusion (SWI) was identified stretching from the shoreline to a distance of 1800 m, 1200 m, 0 m, and 600 m, in years 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2022 under the transient period, whereas SWI was delineated in land up to 0 m and 700 m in the predictive year 2027 under Scenarios A and B, respectively. In the western side of Salalah coastal aquifer, SWI was delineated in land up to 2000 m, 1700 m, 0 m, and 800 m, in years 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2022 under the transient period, whereas SWI was delineated in land up to 0 m and 750 m in the predictive year 2027 under Scenarios A and B, respectively. This study claims that Scenario A effectively pushed the seawater interface back to the coastline, projecting its reach to the shoreline (0 m) by 2027. In contrast, in baseline Scenario B, the wedge of saline intrusion in the Salalah coastal aquifer was delineated from the shoreline, up to 800 m inland, which accounted for continuation of pumping from both wellfields during the predictive period. The study concludes that Scenario A has the capability to efficiently reduce the impact of saline inflows from the coast, while Scenario B results in a more pronounced impact of salinity intrusion. Full article

The scientific assessment of mariculture carbon sinks is crucial to recognize its potential as a significant component of marine blue carbon in global climate change mitigation. Therefore, the objective of the research was to estimate the seaweed and shellfish mariculture carbon sink of different varieties in various sea areas. The paper emphasized the distinction between short-term carbon sequestration in seaweed and shellfish that can be removed and long-term carbon sequestration that is deposited. Methodologically, the evaluation was based on the carbon sequestration mechanism and systematic pathways in shellfish and seaweeds. Additionally, the carbon sequestration of shellfish and seaweed aquaculture over the last decade was evaluated by the carbon sink assessment model, and the reasons for the differences in the carbon sink capacity of mariculture in China’s coastal provinces were discussed by using the LMDI decomposition model. The results indicated the carbon sequestration of offshore seaweeds and shellfish mariculture in China was huge. From 2010 to 2020, offshore seaweed aquaculture in China amounted to 7.959 Mt C/a, while shellfish aquaculture contributed 33.542 Mt C/a to the carbon sinks. Sedimentary carbon sequestration by shellfish accounted for 51% of the total carbon sequestration in mariculture involving shellfish and seaweeds. Especially noteworthy is the sedimentary carbon sequestration by shellfish, which is an indispensable and crucial component of mariculture carbon sequestration estimation. It is concluded that improvements in farming efficiency exerted the greatest influence on the variations of the mariculture carbon sink, while adjustments in farming structure had a relatively minor impact in the case of little change in aquaculture yield. Enhancing farming efficiency emerges as a practical approach to bolstering the carbon sink potential of marine aquaculture fisheries in the future. Full article

Background: Cervical cancer is among the highest-ranking types of cancer worldwide, with human papillomavirus (HPV) as the agent driving the malignant process. One aspect of the infection’s evolution is given by epigenetic modifications, mainly DNA methylation and chromatin alteration. These processes are guided by several chromatin remodeling complexes, including NuRD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the genome-wide binding patterns of the NuRD complex components (MBD2 and MBD3) in the presence of active HPV16 E6 and E7 oncogenes and to determine the potential of identified genes through an experimental model to differentiate between cervical precursor lesions, with the aim of establishing their utility as biomarkers. Methods: The experimental model was built using the CaSki cell line and shRNA for E6 and E7 HPV16 silencing, ChIP-seq, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analyses. Selected genes’ expression was also assessed in patients. Results: Several genes have been identified to exhibit altered transcriptional activity due to the influence of HPV16 E6/E7 viral oncogenes acting through the MBD2/MBD3 NuRD complex, linking them to viral infection and cervical oncogenesis. Conclusions: The impacted genes primarily play roles in governing gene transcription, mRNA processing, and regulation of translation. Understanding these mechanisms offers valuable insights into the process of HPV-induced oncogenesis. Full article

An abnormal level of dopamine (DA), a kind of neurotransmitter, correlates with a series of diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Willis-Ekbom disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. Hence, it is imperative to achieve a precise, rapid detection method in clinical medicine. In this study, we synthesized nanocomposite carbon aerogels (CAs) doped with iron and iron carbide, based on algae residue-derived biomass materials, using Fe(NO₃)₃ as the iron source. The modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for DA detection, denoted as CAs-Fe/GCE, was prepared through surface modification with this composite material. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction characterization confirmed the successful doping of iron into the as-prepared CAs. Additionally, the electrochemical behavior of DA on the modified electrode surface was investigated and the results demonstrate that the addition of the CAs-Fe promoted the electron transfer rate, thereby enhancing their sensing performance. The fabricated electrochemical DA biosensor exhibits an accurate detection of DA in the concentration within the range of 0.01~200 µM, with a detection limit of 0.0033 µM. Furthermore, the proposed biosensor is validated in real samples, showing its high applicability for the detection of DA in beverages. Full article

The systematic revision of the family Peristediidae remains an unresolved issue due to their diverse and unique morphology. Despite the popularity of using mitochondrial genome research to comprehensively understand phylogenetic relationships in fish, genetic data for peristediid fish need to be included. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mitochondrial genomic characteristics and intra-family phylogenetic relationships of Peristediidae by utilizing mitochondrial genome analysis. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the phylogenetic relationship of Peristediidae by utilizing mitochondrial genome analysis. The mitochondrial genome of four species of Peristediidae (Peristedion liorhynchus, Satyrichthys welchi, Satyrichthys rieffeli, and Scalicus amiscus) collected in the East China Sea was studied. The mitochondrial gene sequence lengths of four fish species were 16,533 bp, 16,526 bp, 16,527 bp, and 16,526 bp, respectively. They had the same mitochondrial structure and were all composed of 37 genes and one control region. Most PCGs used ATG as the start codon, and a few used GTG as the start codon. An incomplete stop codon (TA/T) occurred. The AT-skew and GC-skew values of 13 PCGs from four species were negative, and the GC-skew amplitude was greater than that of AT-skew. All cases of D-arm were found in tRNA-Ser (GCT). The Ka/Ks ratio analysis indicated that 13 PCGs were suffering purifying selection. Based on 12 PCGs (excluding ND6) sequences, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods, providing a further supplement to the scientific classification of Peristediidae fish. According to the results of divergence time, the four species of fish had apparent divergence in the Early Cenozoic, which indicates that the geological events at that time caused the climax of species divergence and evolution. Full article

Cytogenetic studies are essential in the diagnosis and follow up of patients with bone marrow failure syndromes (BMFSs), but obtaining good quality results is often challenging due to hypocellularity. Optical Genome Mapping (OGM), a novel technology capable of detecting most types chromosomal structural variants (SVs) at high resolution, is being increasingly used in many settings, including hematologic malignancies. Herein, we compared conventional cytogenetic techniques to OGM in 20 patients with diverse BMFSs. Twenty metaphases for the karyotype were only obtained in three subjects (15%), and no SVs were found in any of the samples. One patient with culture failure showed a gain in chromosome 1q by fluorescence in situ hybridization, which was confirmed by OGM. In contrast, OGM provided good quality results in all subjects, and SVs were detected in 14 of them (70%), mostly corresponding to cryptic submicroscopic alterations not observed by standard techniques. Therefore, OGM emerges as a powerful tool that provides complete and evaluable results in hypocellular BMFSs, reducing multiple tests into a single assay and overcoming some of the main limitations of conventional techniques. Furthermore, in addition to confirming the abnormalities detected by conventional techniques, OGM found new alterations beyond their detection limits. Full article

To date, several members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels which provide a wide array of roles have been found in the gastrointestinal tract (GI). The goal of earlier research was to comprehend the intricate signaling cascades that contribute to TRP channel activation as well as how these receptors’ activity affects other systems. Moreover, there is a large volume of published studies describing the role of TRP channels in a number of pathological disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and sepsis. Nevertheless, the generalizability of these results is subject to certain limitations. For instance, the study of IBD relies on various animal models and experimental methods, which are unable to precisely imitate the multifactorial chronic disease. The diverse pathophysiological mechanisms and unique susceptibility of animals may account for the inconsistency of the experimental data collected. The main purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of existing studies on transient receptor potential (TRP) channels implicating specific models of colitis and sepsis, with particular emphasis on their involvement in pathological disorders such as IBD and sepsis. Furthermore, the text endeavors to evaluate the generalizability of experimental findings, taking into consideration the limitations posed by animal models and experimental methodologies. Finally, we also provide an updated schematic of the most important and possible molecular signaling pathways associated with TRP channels in IBD and sepsis. Full article

This study sought to carry out a systematic and preliminary evaluation of the policies on access to public dental services for people with ASD in a Brazilian city. The study, conducted between November/2019 and February/2020, was developed through document analysis, the design of the theoretical logical model of the policies, and seven semi-structured interviews with key informants. The sample was intentionally selected. We also considered the answers to 108 questionnaires from a pilot study on the access of people with ASD to dental services applied to caregivers, dentists, and non-dental professionals. No refusals were recorded. The availability study showed that the policies’ objectives were not being achieved in terms of care network organization: there were no institutional flows, personal contacts were used between professionals to guarantee access to secondary attention, there was no specific training for the dentists about ASD, and the oral health care network was unknown to non-dentist professionals and caregivers. Most people with ASD have visited the dentist at least once in their lives, but a large percentage of those within this study did not do so in the last year. This study identified difficulties in implementing policies and suggested possible strategies for overcoming them as dimensions and subdimensions for evaluation. Full article

Psychostimulants alter cellular morphology and activate neuroimmune signaling in a number of brain regions, yet few prior studies have investigated their persistence beyond acute abstinence or following high levels of voluntary drug intake. In this study, we examined the effects of the repeated binge-like self-administration (96 h/week for 3 weeks) of methamphetamine (METH) and 21 days of abstinence in female and male rats on changes in cell density, morphology, and cytokine levels in two addiction-related brain regions—the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dorsal striatum (DStr). We also examined the effects of similar patterns of intake of the cocaine-like synthetic cathinone derivative 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) or saline as a control. Robust levels of METH and MDPV intake (~500–1000 infusions per 96 h period) were observed in both sexes. We observed no changes in astrocyte or neuron density in either region, but decreases in dendritic spine densities were observed in PFC pyramidal and DStr medium spiny neurons. The microglial cell density was decreased in the PFC of METH self-administering animals, accompanied by evidence of microglial apoptosis. Changes in microglial morphology (e.g., decreased territorial volume and ramification and increased cell soma volume) were also observed, indicative of an inflammatory-like state. Multiplex analyses of PFC and DStr cytokine content revealed elevated levels of various interleukins and chemokines only in METH self-administering animals, with region- and sex-dependent effects. Our findings suggest that voluntary binge-like METH or MDPV intake induces similar cellular perturbations in the brain, but they are divergent neuroimmune responses that persist beyond the initial abstinence phase. Full article

The deeper penetration of renewables in the energy mix is an intense requirement in order to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, new technologies are being developed, such as electric mobility and Distributed Generation (DG) in urban areas. However, the unpredictable fluctuations in energy generation from roof-installed PVs and the switching operation of their inverters greatly aggravate the already-present grid quality problems. In this paper, the Smart Boiler (SB) concept for grid quality improvement is presented. Furthermore, its experimental verification is implemented on a flexible testbed that accurately emulates several realistic scenarios for the low voltage distribution grid, under complex operating conditions. The proposed low-cost electronic kit, which contains a converter of fairly simple topology and requires connection to the internet, is used to upgrade conventional domestic boilers to smart devices. The SB automatically regulate the local reactive power flow, helping to stabilize the voltage level and suppress the grid current harmonic content, with both services provided in a matter of seconds. The higher the active power consumed and the denser the SB cluster, the wider the beneficial impact on the affected network area. While this service is provided, excess energy generated by PVs is temporarily stored as heat in the boiler tanks, given the users’ hot water consumption habits. The whole application, as a powerful demand-side management tool, proves beneficial for both the network operator and the end-user, especially when self-consumption is desirable in order to achieve a Nearly Zero Energy Building. Full article

The traditional method for extracting the heights of urban buildings involves utilizing dense matching algorithms on stereo images to generate a digital surface model (DSM). However, for urban buildings, the disparity discontinuity issue that troubles the dense matching algorithm makes the elevations of high-rise buildings and the surrounding areas inaccurate. The occlusion caused by trees in greenbelts makes it difficult to accurately extract the ground elevation around the building. To tackle these problems, a method for building height extraction from Gaofen-7 (GF-7) stereo images enhanced by contour matching is presented. Firstly, a contour matching algorithm was proposed to extract accurate building roof elevation from GF-7 images. Secondly, a ground filtering algorithm was employed on the DSM to generate a digital elevation model (DEM), and ground elevation can be extracted from this DEM. The difference between the rooftop elevation and the ground elevation represents the building height. The presented method was verified in Yingde, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, and Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms existing methods in building height extraction concerning accuracy. Full article

Airborne wind measurement is of great significance for understanding atmospheric motion and meteorological monitoring. In this paper, we present the development and verification of an airborne Doppler wind lidar (ADWL), featuring an approach proposed to integrate a real-time wind retrieval method with an intelligent processing method for automatic adaptive wind detection. Several verification experiments were conducted to evaluate the measurement effectiveness, including comparisons with a calibrated ground-based Doppler wind lidar (GDWL) and a sounding balloon. Compared with the sounding balloon, the ADWL demonstrated mean errors of 0.53 m/s for horizontal wind velocity and 4.60° for wind direction. The correlation coefficients consistently exceeded 0.98 in all linear analyses. Employed in multiple airborne wind detection events in North China at altitudes up to 6600 m, the ADWL provided effective wind field results with a vertical resolution of 50 m and a data rate of 2 Hz. The wind field results obtained during the detection events validate the ADWL’s capabilities in diverse environments and underscore its potential for the comprehensive detection of meteorological information. Full article

The scientific article focuses on the role of azulene and its derivatives in the therapy of dermatological diseases, presenting the latest laboratory and clinical research as well as prospects for further studies. In a synthetic literature review, various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Database of Polish Scientific Journals were queried to select relevant articles concerning azulene. The conclusions drawn from the thematic analysis of the studies emphasize the multifaceted pharmacological actions of azulene and its derivatives including their anti-inflammatory properties, potential anticancer effects, photoprotective abilities, alleviation of itching, management of atopic dermatitis, and treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, there are certain limitations associated with the application of unmodified azulene on the skin, particularly related to photodecomposition and the generation of reactive oxygen species under UV radiation. These effects, in turn, necessitate further research on the safety of azulene and azulene-derived substances, especially regarding their long-term use and potential application in phototherapy. The authors of this work emphasize the necessity of conducting further preclinical and clinical studies to fully understand the mechanisms of action. Incorporating azulene and its derivatives into the therapy of dermatological disorders may represent an innovative approach, thereby opening new treatment avenues for patients. Full article

This study evaluated the potential of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) for single-cell screening compared to polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). GelMA photopolymerized at 1000–2000 mJ/cm² produced consistent patterns and supported HeLa cell viability. GelMA (5%w/v) facilitated better cell collection within 2 days due to its shape retention. GelMA demonstrated biocompatibility with HeLa cells exhibiting exponential proliferation and biodegradation over 5 days. The average cell displacement over 2 days was 16 µm. Two targeted cell recovery strategies using trypsin were developed: one for adherent cells encapsulated at 800 mJ/cm², and another for floating cells encapsulated at 800 mJ/cm², enabling the selective removal of unwanted cells. These findings suggest GelMA as a promising biomaterial for single-cell screening applications, offering advantages over PEGDA in cell encapsulation and targeted recovery. Full article

This study investigates the mechanical properties of coconut sawdust powder combined with polypropylene (PP). The effect of compatibility content, wood powder (WP) content, and injection molding parameters on the properties of coconut wood powder composite (WPC) is evaluated. The results could be used to figure out the optimal mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, elastic modulus, and flexural strength by selecting suitable parameters and composition. The bonding between the WP particles and the PP matrix is good, and the WP is uniformly distributed across the composite matrix, as indicated in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results. Interestingly, with the presence of the compatibilizer oleamide, increasing the WP content from 20 wt.% to 40 wt.% did not result in WP accumulation in the composite matrix. Notably, at 20 wt.% WP, the elongation is the highest (at 7.40 wt.%), while at 30 wt.% WP, the elastic modulus reaches the highest value. The maximum ultimate tensile strength (UTS) value is obtained at 35 wt.% WP. Higher WP mostly results in greater flexural strength and shore D hardness. At 40 wt.% WP, the WPC achieves its peak shore D hardness of 77.6. The Taguchi results suggest that WP content is the most critical factor in the UTS value of coconut WPCs. The filling pressure ranks second, followed by the packing pressure. Finally, unlike the other characteristics, the melt temperature has a minimal impact on the UTS value. Full article

In this study, we assessed the influence of area-based socioeconomic deprivation on the incidence of invasive breast cancer (BC) in France, according to stage at diagnosis. All women from six mainland French departments, aged 15+ years, and diagnosed with a primary invasive breast carcinoma between 2008 and 2015 were included (n = 33,298). Area-based socioeconomic deprivation was determined using the French version of the European Deprivation Index. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) by socioeconomic deprivation and stage at diagnosis were compared estimating incidence rate ratios (IRRs) adjusted for age at diagnosis and rurality of residence. Compared to the most affluent areas, significantly lower IRRs were found in the most deprived areas for all-stages (0.85, 95% CI 0.81–0.89), stage I (0.77, 95% CI 0.72–0.82), and stage II (0.84, 95% CI 0.78–0.90). On the contrary, for stages III–IV, significantly higher IRRs (1.18, 95% CI 1.08–1.29) were found in the most deprived areas. These findings provide a possible explanation to similar or higher mortality rates, despite overall lower incidence rates, observed in women living in more deprived areas when compared to their affluent counterparts. Socioeconomic inequalities in access to healthcare services, including screening, could be plausible explanations for this phenomenon, underlying the need for further research. Full article

In the present study, the effectiveness of catalytic wet oxidation triggered by using Cu-Ce/γ-Al₂O₃ to degrade antibiotic excess sludge was investigated, during which some small molecule carboxylic acids were produced, which are valuable in biological wastewater treatment as an organic carbon source. The influence of reaction parameters on the degradation efficiency was explored through single-factor and orthogonal experiments, including catalyst amount, reaction temperature and time, and oxygen supply amount. The results illustrated that the treatment system can achieve 81.2% COD and 93.8% VSS removal rates under optimized reaction conditions. Carboxylic acids produced after the sludge degradation mainly included acetic acid, propanoic acid, etc. The results of wastewater biological treatment experiments exhibited that the degraded solution after catalytic wet oxidation has potential to be used as a carbon source to meet the demand of biological treatment, which helps the removal of COD and TN. This work confirms the effectiveness of catalyst for enhancing antibiotic excess sludge treatment, which provided a new idea for the rational disposal of antibiotic excess sludge. Full article

Prenylated flavonoids (PFs) are natural flavonoids with a prenylated side chain attached to the flavonoid skeleton. They have great potential for biological activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibition, and anti-Alzheimer’s effects. Medicinal chemists have recently paid increasing attention to PFs, which have become vital for developing new therapeutic agents. PFs have quickly developed through isolation and semi- or full synthesis, proving their high value in medicinal chemistry research. This review comprehensively summarizes the research progress of PFs, including natural PFs from the Moraceae family and their pharmacological activities. This information provides a basis for the selective design and optimization of multifunctional PF derivatives to treat multifactorial diseases. Full article

On 21 May 2023, a hidden eruption occurred at the Southeast Crater (SEC) of Etna (Italy); indeed, bad weather prevented its direct and remote observation. Tephra fell toward the southwest, and two lava flows propagated along the SEC’s southern and eastern flanks. The monitoring system of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia testified to its occurrence. We analyzed the seismic and infrasound signals to constrain the temporal evolution of the fountain, which lasted about 5 h. We finally reached Etna’s summit two weeks later and found an unexpected pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposit covering the southern lava flow at its middle portion. We performed unoccupied aerial system and field surveys to reconstruct in 3D the SEC, lava flows, and PDC deposits and to collect some samples. The data allowed for detailed mapping, quantification, and characterization of the products. The resulting lava flows and PDC deposit volumes were (1.54 ± 0.47) × 10⁶ m³ and (1.30 ± 0.26) × 10⁵ m³, respectively. We also analyzed ground-radar and satellite data to evaluate that the plume height ranges between 10 and 15 km. This work is a comprehensive analysis of the fieldwork, UAS, volcanic tremor, infrasound, radar, and satellite data. Our results increase awareness of the volcanic activity and potential dangers for visitors to Etna’s summit area. Full article

The policy objectives of affordable housing programs in China are two-fold: on the one hand, they are designed to assist low- and moderate-income families and reduce inequality; on the other hand, they are intended to lower commodity housing prices. However, the effects of affordable housing land on housing prices, particularly the between-city variation and the mechanisms behind the market effects, have not been sufficiently examined, making it difficult to evaluate the housing policy and improve it accordingly. In this study, we address these gaps by using a prefecture-level panel dataset covering 2009–2020, obtained from national land and housing transaction information platforms. We use a threshold model to investigate the threshold effect of population size and a mediating model to uncover the channels through which the supply of affordable housing land affects housing prices. The results confirm that the affordable housing land supply can have a beneficial influence in terms of slowing down the increase in housing prices. The population size plays a significant role in explaining the between-city market effect variations. In cities with a population greater than 10.78 million, increasing the supply of affordable housing land would cause the housing prices to increase. Meanwhile, in cities with smaller populations, increasing the supply of affordable housing land could lower the housing prices. The underlying mechanisms of the market effects vary across cities with different population sizes. Although affordable housing land crowds out commodity housing land in all cities, housing demand diversion only exists in cities with a smaller population. At present, China is experimenting with city-specific housing policies; our findings imply that decision makers should explore additional policy options, besides building on incremental construction land, in order to make housing more affordable in supercities in China. Full article

Background. Music evokes positive emotions and reduces stress and anxiety. Operating room (OR) staff face various challenges which can lead to high levels of stress. The aim of the study is to assess whether listening to music during intraoperative phases improves the work environment by reducing anxiety and stress in the entire surgical team. Methods. A prospective observational study was conducted from February to September 2023, involving medical personnel, nursing staff, and nursing students. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 with music during surgical procedures, and Group 2 without music. Participants were administered two validated instruments: the Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (SAS) to measure anxiety, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule to assess emotions generating stress. Additional items were included for demographics, job satisfaction, and the organization method. Results. Music did not impact anxiety, but increased positive emotions while reducing negative ones. Music had an ancillary effect, highlighting the need for significant organizational interventions aimed at increasing operator satisfaction, including offering voluntary instead of mandatory assignments to nursing staff. Conclusions. Music appears to reduce stress in the intraoperative team when supported by a positive work environment in which assigned operators have chosen to work in the OR. Full article