How does economic inequality shape conspiracy theories? Empirical evidence from China

Conspiracy theories tend to be prevalent, particularly in societies with high economic inequality. However, few studies have examined the relationship between economic inequality and belief in conspiracy theories. We propose that economic inequality leads people to believe conspiracy theories about economically advantaged groups (i.e., upwards conspiracy theories) and that moral evaluations of those groups mediate this relationship. Study 1 (N = 300) found support for these ideas in a survey among Chinese residents. Study 2 (N = 160) manipulated participants' perceptions of economic inequality in a virtual society. The manipulation shaped moral evaluations of economically advantaged groups, and conspiracy beliefs, in the predicted manner. In Study 3 (N = 191) and Study 4 (N = 210), we experimentally manipulated participants' perceptions of economic inequality in real Chinese society and replicated the results of Study 2. In addition, in Study 4, we find that economic inequality predicts belief in conspiracy theories about economically disadvantaged groups (i.e., downward conspiracy theories), which was mediated by anomie. We conclude that perceived economic inequality predicts conspiracy theories about economically advantaged groups and that moral evaluations account for this effect. Also, upward and downward conspiracy theory beliefs are associated with different psychological processes.

[A comparative study for the efficacies of transaxillary non-inflatable endoscopic surgery versus traditional surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To compare the efficacies between open surgery and axillary non-inflatable endoscopic surgery in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 343 patients with unilateral PTC treated by traditional open surgery (201 cases) and transaxillary non-inflating endoscopic surgery (142 cases) from May 2019 to December 2021 in the Head and Neck Surgery of Sichuan Cancer Hospital. Among them, 97 were males and 246 were females, aged 20-69 years. 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed on the enrolled patients, and the basic characteristics, perioperative clinical outcomes, postoperative complications, postoperative quality of life (Thyroid Cancer-Specific Quality of Life), aesthetic satisfaction and other aspects of the two groups were compared after successful matching. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 190 patients were enrolled after PSM, with 95 cases in open group and 95 cases in endoscopic group. Intraoperative blood losses for endoscopic and open groups were [20 (20) ml vs. 20 (10) ml, M (IQR), Z=-2.22], postoperative drainage volumes [170 (70)ml vs. 101 (55)ml, Z=-7.91], operative time [135 (35)min vs. 95 (35)min, Z=-7.34], hospitalization cost [(28 188.7±2 765.1)yuan vs. (25 643.5±2 610.7)yuan, x¯±s, t=0.73], postoperative hospitalization time [(3.1±0.9)days vs. (2.6±0.9)days, t=-3.24], and drainage tube placement time [(2.5±0.8) days vs. (2.0±1.0)days, t=-4.16], with statistically significant differrences (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in surgical complications (P>0.05). There were significant diffferences between two groups in the postoperative quality of life scores in neuromuscular, psychological, scar and cold sensation (all P<0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences in other quality of life scores (all P>0.05). In terms of aesthetic satisfaction 6 months after surgery, the endoscopic group was better than the open group, with statistically significant difference (χ²=41.47, P<0.05). Conclusion: Endoscopic thyroidectomy by a gasless unilateral axillary approach is a safe and reliable surgical method, which has remarkable cosmetic effect and can improve the postoperative quality of life of patients compared with the traditional thyroidectomy.

Quality indicators in ovarian cancer surgery: report from the French Society of Gynecologic Oncology (Societe Francaise d'Oncologie Gynecologique, SFOG)

BACKGROUND

Based on registries, the European experience has been that <50% of patients are treated according to protocols and/or benefit from the minimum required surgery for ovarian cancer. The French Cancer Plan 2009-2013 considers the definition of qualitative indicators in ovarian cancer surgery in France. This endeavour was undertaken by the French Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SFOG) in partnership with the French National College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and all concerned learned societies in a multidisciplinary mindset.

METHODS

The quality indicators for the initial management of patients with ovarian cancer were based on the standards of practice determined from scientific evidence or expert consensus.

RESULTS

The indicators were divided into structural indicators, including material (equipment), human (number and qualification of staff), and organizational resources, process indicators, and outcome indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

The enforcement of a quality assurance programme in any country would undoubtedly promote improvement in the quality of care for ovarian cancer patients and would result in a dramatic positive impact on their survival. Such a policy is not only beneficial to the patient, but is also profitable for the healthcare system.

[A study of acute toxicity of mitoxantrone]

Acute toxicity of mitoxantrone (DHAQ) synthetized by Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, WCUMS was studied in mice and dogs. The toxic effects were compared with those of adriamycin (ADR). The LD50 were 6.6 +/- 1.3 and 7.1 +/- 1.6 mg/kg DHAQ, 7.9 +/- 2.1 and 10.7 +/- 2.2 mg/kg ADR (P = 0.95) respectively on observation with a single dose i.v. and i.p., for 21 days in Kunming mice. The toxicity appeared to be delayed with DHAQ and ADR. The earliest death occurred on 4th day after treatment in mice. In the third week still a few died. There were obvious decreases in WBC counts in the peripheral blood of mice receiving either 1-2.5 mg/kg DHAQ or 2.5-5 mg/kg ADR with a single dose i.p.. The WBC count could return to normality after 3 weeks with the withdrawal of the drugs. On electron microscopic examination of myocardial samples from mice 4 days after a single dose of 20 mg/kg DHAQ i.p., mitochondria swelling and vacuoles formation in some cells were shown. Besides the above-mentioned changes, some myocytes exhibited disorientation and loss of myofilaments in the mice which received equivalent dose of ADR. In dogs anaesthetized a temporary falling of blood pressure and slowing of heart rate were observed following 5-10 mg/kg DHAQ i.p.. When a dose of 50-100 mg/kg was given, the blood pressure dropped continuously until death.