Identifying Factors Affecting the Establishment of Green Supply Chain Management with a Meta-Synthesis Approach

The construction industry has always had significant destructive effects on the environment. Utilizing green supply chain management strategies to achieve sustainable construction is an effective approach to reducing environmental damage. In this research, the qualitative approach and interpretive paradigm, along with the seven-step meta-synthesis method, were employed to explain the influential components in establishing green supply chain management in the construction industry. A total of 728 relevant studies in the field of supply chain management, particularly with a focus on sustainability, green practices, and reverse logistics, were identified, reviewed, evaluated, and screened. Based on the entry and exit protocol, 37 studies were included in the research portfolio, resulting in the extraction of 73 primary codes that were categorized into 13 concepts and 4 categories. The reliability of the classification was confirmed using the Kappa coefficient. The research findings revealed that the components influencing green supply chain management were identified across four main categories: main factors of green supply chain management, facilitating factors, internal and external drivers and barriers. Finally, suggestions based on the extracted results from this research were presented for future researchers. IntroductionThe construction industry is the primary consumer of resources and energy worldwide and has significant detrimental effects on the environment. Environmental protection and sustainability have become global concerns across various industries in the past two decades. Companies and governments in many countries are recognizing the importance of green supply chains, and this awareness is rapidly growing within the construction industry. Currently, competition between companies has shifted towards competition between their supply chains. Therefore, expanding the concept of sustainability in supply chain management is considered a strategy to enhance performance and improve a company's competitiveness. Green supply chain management is highly regarded among academics and industry professionals as it aims to preserve product quality, conserve resources, and minimize production waste. In the construction industry, green supply chain management involves managing all activities throughout the supply chain that contribute to the final product (building) to minimize environmental impacts. Hence, a holistic approach is required to manage all construction project activities and ensure sustainability across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. While extensive studies have been conducted on green supply chain management in various industries, the number of studies in the construction industry is relatively limited and fragmented, lacking a cohesive understanding of scientific findings in this field. To address this research gap and considering the importance of the topic and the lack of a comprehensive method in this field, the current research aims to present a model and identify the factors influencing green supply chain management in the construction industry, particularly in Iran. Materials and MethodsAccording to the nature of the research, the current study adopts a meta-synthesis approach, which is qualitative in nature with an interpretive paradigm. Meta-synthesis is a type of systematic qualitative approach that combines and integrates qualitative findings from different but related studies. By providing a systematic perspective to researchers, meta-synthesis allows for the discovery of new and fundamental themes and insights by synthesizing various qualitative studies. This approach enhances the existing knowledge and provides a broader understanding of the issues at hand. The seven-step method developed by Sandelowski has been employed to conduct the meta-synthesis. The data collected for this research have been coded and summarized using content analysis with the assistance of the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software.ConclusionsThis research aimed to identify the factors influencing green supply chain management in the construction industry. After conducting keyword searches, the identified documents were screened and evaluated, resulting in a set of documents that were coded and summarized using content analysis. These codes were then evaluated by experts. The findings were categorized and presented in a table, and a visual model was proposed for better comprehension. The research findings revealed four categories of factors influencing green supply chain management: main factors, facilitating factors, internal and external drivers, and barriers. The main factors identified in this research include green purchasing, green design, green construction, and reverse logistics. Facilitating factors include human resource management, green technology, internal environmental management, and green marketing. Additionally, the research identified important drivers and barriers for the implementation of green supply chain management. Internal drivers include the desire to enhance reputation, credibility, and business image; cost reduction; the desire to enter foreign markets; and societal pressur

Gestational diabetes mellitus: Major risk factors and pregnancy-related outcomes: A cohort study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major pregnancy endocrine problem that has several confirmed risk factors and is associated with adverse pregnancy-related outcomes (PRO). Objective: To evaluate the relationship between GDM diagnosis and the associated risk factors of PRO (maternal, intrapartum, perinatal, and neonatal) in accordance with International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed with 531 singleton parturient (265 GDM and 266 non-GDM). They were selected consecutively from referral hospitals, and the maternal, intrapartum, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes were assessed. Results: The major risk factors influencing the GDM diagnosis were maternal age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of GDM, and previous history of macrosomia. In the comparison of PRO between the groups, significant associations were detected for emergency cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, premature rupture of membrane, preterm delivery, and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in the GDM group. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a previous history of stillbirth was significantly associated with maternal and perinatal outcomes. The odds ratios (CI 95%) of the PRO in the women with a GDM diagnosis were: maternal = 2.43 (1.51-3.90), intrapartum = 2.05 (1.35- 3.11), perinatal = 2.00 (1.29-3.10), and neonatal = 1.68 (1.08-2.62). The PRO was significantly correlated with GDM diagnosis, but not with the risk factors. Conclusion: The adverse pregnancy outcomes were significantly correlated with GDM diagnosis, and the outcomes were not directly affected by the risk factors. Given the related adverse outcomes for mothers and offspring, early screening and management of GDM is necessary especially in Asians and in low-/middle-income countries. Key words: Gestational diabetes mellitus, Pregnancy outcomes, Risk factors

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies conceived via assisted reproductive technology complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus : a prospective cohort study

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Assisted conception as a potential prognostic factor predicting insulin therapy in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus

Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank Royan institute and hospitals related to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, as well as patients for their invaluable contributions to the performance of the current research. Funding No financial support.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

An insight to HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) pathogenesis; evidence from high-throughput data integration and meta-analysis

Background Human T-lymphotropic virus 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that significantly affected spinal cord, nevertheless, the pathogenesis pathway and reliable biomarkers have not been well determined. This study aimed to employ high throughput meta-analysis to find major genes that are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP. Results High-throughput statistical analyses identified 832, 49, and 22 differentially expressed genes for normal vs. ACs, normal vs. HAM/TSP, and ACs vs. HAM/TSP groups, respectively. The protein-protein interactions between DEGs were identified in STRING and further network analyses highlighted 24 and 6 hub genes for normal vs. HAM/TSP and ACs vs. HAM/TSP groups, respectively. Moreover, four biologically meaningful modules including 251 genes were identified for normal vs. ACs. Biological network analyses indicated the involvement of hub genes in many vital pathways like JAK-STAT signaling pathway, interferon, Interleukins, and immune pathways in the normal vs. HAM/TSP group and Metabolism of RNA, Viral mRNA Translation, Human T cell leukemia virus 1 infection, and Cell cycle in the normal vs. ACs group. Moreover, three major genes including STAT1, TAP1, and PSMB8 were identified by network analysis. Real-time PCR revealed the meaningful down-regulation of STAT1 in HAM/TSP samples than AC and normal samples (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively), up-regulation of PSMB8 in HAM/TSP samples than AC and normal samples (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively), and down-regulation of TAP1 in HAM/TSP samples than those in AC and normal samples (P = 0.008 and P = 0.02, respectively). No significant difference was found among three groups in terms of the percentage of T helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (P = 0.55 and P = 0.12). Conclusions High-throughput data integration disclosed novel hub genes involved in important pathways in virus infection and immune systems. The comprehensive studies are needed to improve our knowledge about the pathogenesis pathways and also biomarkers of complex diseases.Peer reviewe

Comparison of Intensive Care Unit and General Wards Nurses’ Emotional Reactions and Health Status

AbstractBackground and aim:  Nurses in their work settings are exposed to pain,suffer and death of their patients which may affect their health status and emotional reactions . This study aimed to compare ICU and general wards’ nurses health status and emotional reactions .Method and materials.  This is a descriptive- cross sectional study which was performed on 103 intensive care unit nurses and 210 nurses in general wards in two of Baqhiatalah (a.j) university hospitals in 2010. The sample of the study was selected by systematic random sampling method’. Data were collected by GHQ12 &DASS21 questionnaires to evaluate emotional reactions and general health status of nurses. Data were analyzed by SPSS15 software descriptive analytical statistics such as chi-square tests.Results:  On average, 33% of nurses in the study had stress 33.9%, anxiety and 30.8% depression range of mild to very severe and showed that only was more depression in the intensive care units nursing (P <0.05).Although About 30% of nurses general health are not desirable in terms and the difference was not statistically significant in two groups of nurses studied.Conclusion:  The results demonstrated that approximately ⅓ of both groups intensive care units and other wards nurses had general health are not desirable in terms and at least one of emotional reactions (stress, anxiety or depression) even was more depression in the intensive care units nursing. Given the importance of nursing due and patient care, Management measures to assess and control factors to this problem is necessary.Keywords: general health, emotional reactions, nurse, intensive care unit

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Major Risk Factors and Pregnancy-related Outcomes: A Cohort Study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major pregnancy endocrine problem that has several confirmed risk factors and is associated with adverse pregnancy-related outcomes (PRO). Objective: To evaluate the relationship between GDM diagnosis and the associated risk factors of PRO (maternal, intrapartum, perinatal, and neonatal) in accordance with International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed with 531 singleton parturient (265 GDM and 266 non-GDM). They were selected consecutively from referral hospitals, and the maternal, intrapartum, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes were assessed. Results: The major risk factors influencing the GDM diagnosis were maternal age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of GDM, and previous history of macrosomia. In the comparison of PRO between the groups, significant associations were detected for emergency cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, premature rupture of membrane, preterm delivery, and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in the GDM group. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a previous history of stillbirth was significantly associated with maternal and perinatal outcomes. The odds ratios (CI 95%) of the PRO in the women with a GDM diagnosis were: maternal = 2.43 (1.51-3.90), intrapartum = 2.05 (1.35- 3.11), perinatal = 2.00 (1.29-3.10), and neonatal = 1.68 (1.08-2.62). The PRO was significantly correlated with GDM diagnosis, but not with the risk factors. Conclusion: The adverse pregnancy outcomes were significantly correlated with GDM diagnosis, and the outcomes were not directly affected by the risk factors. Given the related adverse outcomes for mothers and offspring, early screening and management of GDM is necessary especially in Asians and in low-/middle-income countries. Key words: Gestational diabetes mellitus, Pregnancy outcomes, Risk factors

Prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) genotypes between outpatients males and females referred to seven laboratories in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND: Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes the most common sexually-transmitted infection especially among sexually-active individuals. The aim of study was to characterize the molecular characterization of HPV genotypes between 5176 female and male patients. METHODS: HPV DNA was extracted from genital swabs of the study participants and amplified by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Genotyping was performed for 2525 cases using REALQUALITY RQ-Multi HPV Detection Kit for the identification of 14 high risk (HR) and 2 low risk (LR) HPV genotypes. Demographic figures were analyzed in correlation with virological data statistically. RESULTS: Out of 5176 cases from 7 laboratories, 2727 (53%) were positive for HPV, of which. 2372(87%) women and 355 (13%) men were HPV positive. However, in an intra-gender analysis, positive rate was higher in men (355/637, 55.7%) than in women (2372/4539, 52%; P value 0.007). HPV positive patients were younger than negative individuals. Positive rate was higher among age categories 20–40. Genotyping was performed for 2525 cases. Out of 1219 (48%) patients who contained single genotypes, 566 (22%) and 653 (26%) harboured HR and LR genotypes, respectively. In females and males, 1189 (54%) and 117 (37%) contained multiple genotypes. No substantial associations were found between different age categories and HR/LR and multiple genotypes distribution. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HPV infection in both genders was high. However, men had a higher rate of infection. These observations highlighted the necessity for a plan for targeted education to younger population in the society as well as application of infection control measures against HPV infection, especially in terms of general population mass HPV vaccination