Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Personalized goal setting and predictors of functional gains following constraint-induced movement therapy in preschool-aged children with unilateral cerebral palsy
Objective This study aimed to identify caregiver-selected goal characteristics that predict functional improvements following constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), offering novel insights into personalized rehabilitation for younger children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Methods This study included 19 children with UCP aged 4–6 years who participated in a three-week CIMT program comprising 15 sessions (30 hours total), during which the unaffected hand was constrained to encourage intensive use of the affected limb. Caregivers identified five meaningful rehabilitation goals per child using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, categorizing them into self-care, productivity, or leisure domains and ranking them by importance. Upper-limb function was objectively evaluated using the Assisting Hand Assessment before and immediately after CIMT. Linear regression analyses identified the factors influencing goal selection, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression determined whether prioritized goal types predicted improvements in upper limb function. Results Self-care goals were most frequently selected (72.6%), followed by leisure (26.3%) and rarely productivity (1.1%). Leisure goal selection was significantly associated with greater baseline upper limb range of motion and lower baseline occupational performance scores. The higher prioritization of goals involving quiet leisure activities (e.g., arts, crafts, computer play) and dressing tasks (e.g., buttoning, zipping) significantly predicted greater functional improvements post-intervention. Conclusion This study provides important new evidence indicating that caregiver-selected rehabilitation goals that are closely aligned with a child’s latent motor capacities positively affect functional outcomes. These findings underscore the clinical importance of individualized, family-driven goal setting for optimizing therapeutic effectiveness in preschool-aged children with UCP.
Silanes for conservation of archaeological woods using modeled birch wood: antifungal, physical-chemical and TGA studies
Risk of dementia in Nepal: A cross-sectional survey in mountainous, hilly, and lowland regions
Introduction Globally dementia is a growing public health problem, with over 135,000 people in Nepal living with dementia. Nepal lacks national and community-based data on dementia prevalence. This study aims to determine the dementia risk in Nepal and assess the effects of age, sex, and geographical location on disease prevalence. It also intends to inform policy makers about the burden of dementia, prompting them to plan and prepare appropriate health and social care services for individuals affected by dementia. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 933 older people (aged 60 years and over) was conducted to determine the prevalence of suspected cognitive impairment or dementia risk in three geographical regions of Nepal. The Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) was used to measure cognitive impairment. The study evaluated the overall prevalence of suspected cognitive impairment or risk of dementia and subgroups by region, age group, and sex. Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the effects. Results 53.7% (501) participants had cognitive impairment or risk of dementia, with slightly higher rates in women (56.5%) than men (51.7%). Cognitive impairment prevalence increases with age and region, with hilly and mountainous areas and low-lying regions having a greater geographic effect. Conclusions There is high risk of dementia in Nepal. The risk is influenced by age and geographical regions, necessitating early diagnosis and tailored interventions for older people and who are residing in higher altitude areas. Policies implemented to address this issue should prioritise community awareness and early screening and diagnosis to reduce complications from dementia. National-level studies and exploration of factors affecting early dementia diagnosis are needed.
Effect of pars plana vitrectomy on early and long-term intraocular pressure and its determinants
Correction: Quantitative trait loci analysis for molecular markers linked to agricultural traits of Pleurotus ostreatus
Comparative assessment of polyphenol stability, bioactivity, and digestive availability in purified compounds and fruit extracts from four black chokeberry cultivars
Mediating effects of mental and physical health on the association between chronic disease conditions and colorectal cancer screening utilization among breast cancer survivors
Purpose Breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and those with chronic diseases are more likely to experience poor mental and physical health. For this study, we examined the mediating effects of mental and physical health on the association between chronic disease conditions and guideline-concordant colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among breast cancer survivors. Methods We included 1,885 breast cancer survivors aged 45–75 years who were eligible for CRC screening in 2016, 2018, and 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The exposure was chronic diseases defined as prevalent diabetes, coronary heart disease/myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema/chronic bronchitis, arthritis, depressive disorders, or kidney diseases. The outcome was receipt of guideline-concordant CRC screening. Mediators were defined as self-reported frequent poor mental/physical health in the past 30 days (14–30 vs. 0–13 days). Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic and cancer-related factors. We used the methods proposed by Valeri & VanderWeele for the mediation analyses. Results Breast cancer survivors with chronic diseases were 1.7-fold more likely to have CRC screening compared to those without any chronic diseases (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.27–2.21). In mediation analysis, we found that frequent poor mental health mediated the association between chronic disease conditions and CRC screening utilization (−4.4% mediated; p-value = 0.035). We also observed a reduction through frequent poor physical health by 10.5% (p-value = 0.008). Conclusions Frequent poor mental and physical health negatively mediated the association between the presence of chronic diseases and CRC screening utilization with a higher estimate for those with poor physical health. Effective implementation of integrated follow-up care is needed among breast cancer survivors to address chronic disease management and prioritize mental and physical health so that all patients receive guideline concordant CRC screening recommendations.
Individual preferences for certain types of spirals and the possible role of creativity
Abstract This study explores the appeal of different types of spirals, commonly found in nature, architecture, and art. The first experiment investigated aesthetic appreciation of Archimedean, logarithmic, and golden spirals, considering factors such as size and the number of turns. As a result, three groups of individuals were identified: those who favored golden spirals, those who preferred Archimedean spirals, and a group that liked logarithmic spirals and similar ones. Interestingly, personality traits showed no clear relation with these preferences. In the first part of a second experiment, the participants were not only asked to choose between different types of spirals, but also to justify their choice by providing reasons. The results indicate that the preferences often stem from the spirals’ features as well as from personal associations, confirming that aesthetic judgments are influenced by both objective and subjective factors. However, results also suggested that the preference for certain types of spirals is related to creativity. This hypothesis was tested in the second part of the second experiment in which participants generated associations to the spirals. The analysis of the frequency and originality of the associations revealed that individuals who prefer the golden spiral to the Archimedean spiral tend to be more creative. Overall, the study highlights the complexity of aesthetic preferences and the potential role of both objective features and subjective associations in shaping our responses to spirals.
Factors impacting university students’ quality of life
Introduction Quality of life (QoL) is a broad multidimensional concept that incorporates a person’s physical health, psychological well-being, social relations, and environmental factors. Although previous studies have explored QoL among students in health-related disciplines, limited research has assessed QoL in students from diverse academic programs in Bangladesh. This study sought to assess the QoL of University students in Bangladesh and to identify the key factors that determine it. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 417 students were recruited from Daffodil International University. Data were obtained using the WHOQoL-BREF, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and a structured questionnaire that included information pertaining to sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. Results The highest mean score was observed in the social relationships domain (62.93%), while the environmental health domain had the lowest (58.07%). Students who were physically active and had normal self-esteem reported significantly higher scores across physical and psychological health domains. Poor sleep quality, low self-esteem, and lack of exercise were consistently associated with lower QoL scores, particularly in the physical, psychological, and social domains. Female students also reported significantly lower scores than males in three of the four domains. The most consistent and strongest predictors of quality of life across domains were self-esteem and sleep quality, followed by gender, physical activity, and screen time. Conclusion The findings highlight the significant impact of emotional, behavioral, and lifestyle factors on the quality of life of university students. These understandings reinforce the need for campus-based interventions that prioritize mental health support, encourage regular physical exercise, and promote sleep hygiene. Such efforts are essential to enhancing overall student well-being and fostering a healthier, more resilient academic community.
Vegetation, salinity, and tides drive nitrogen cycling in Mangrove plastispheres
In-depth summary of adverse events associated with Flurbiprofen: A real-world pharmacovigilance study from 2004 to 2024 using the FAERS database
Background Flurbiprofen, as a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is commonly employed to relieve mild to moderate pain and inflammation. Understanding its adverse reactions in real-world usage is of significant importance. Methods Reports of all adverse drug events (ADEs) related to flurbiprofen were extracted from the FAERS database, covering the period from Q1 2004 to Q3 2024. These reports were standardized and analyzed using various signal quantification techniques, including Reporting Odds Ratios (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratios (PRR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinkage (MGPS). Finally, the association between flurbiprofen and ADEs as well as clinical medical events was assessed. Results A total of 275 cases from the target population were identified in the FAERS database, with 788 instances of adverse events (AEs) occurring across 46 organ systems. We identified not only some common adverse reactions listed in the drug’s package insert, such as acute kidney injury, nausea and vomiting, and facial edema, but also significant signals that were not mentioned in the package insert, including Dysphonia, Drug abuse, and Pancreatitis acute. The median time to onset of flurbiprofen-related AEs was 1 day (interquartile range [IQR] 0–5 days), with most AEs occurring within the first month of flurbiprofen use. Conclusion This study confirmed some common adverse reactions listed in the flurbiprofen drug package insert and identified significant unexpected adverse reactions. These findings can assist clinicians in conducting more comprehensive clinical monitoring when using the drug, thereby ensuring patient safety during treatment.
Evaluation of different sedation scales in the ICU management of COVID-19 patients
Parental beliefs and the influence of formal and informal literacy environments on preschoolers’ attitudes toward English learning
English learning among Chinese preschoolers has increased in recent years. Despite policies that strongly oppose external English instruction for this age group, many parents are unrelenting and persist in providing English learning opportunities for their children. This study seeks to address how formal and informal literacy activities within the Home Literacy Environment (HLE) mediate the relationship between parental beliefs and Chinese children’s attitudes towards learning English in a foreign language context. Specifically, it explores: (1) how formal literacy activities within the HLE mediate this relationship, (2) how informal literacy activities within the HLE mediate this relationship. The study involved 405 participants who completed a questionnaire on family demographics, beliefs about the importance of early English education, the HLE, and children’s attitudes towards English learning. Quantitative data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with a Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach. Parental beliefs positively influence children’s attitudes towards English through formal and informal learning. These results highlight the importance of fostering a supportive and engaging HLE to enhance children’s positive attitudes towards learning English. The implications suggest that policy and practice should recognize the value of various literacy activities in early childhood education, particularly in the context of a foreign language and academically focused Asian society.
Evaluation of posterior segment changes in pediatric asthma patients with and without inhaled corticosteroid therapy
Abstract This study aimed to evaluate and compare changes in the posterior segment of pediatric asthma patients, potentially associated with asthma or inhaled corticosteroids. A retrospective analysis was conducted on children aged 7–17 diagnosed with atopic asthma. The participants were categorized into groups: Group 1 (no inhaled corticosteroids) and Group 2 (inhaled corticosteroid treatment). A control group of healthy children was also included. Demographic data, clinical findings, and laboratory results (e.g., eosinophil count, IgE, CRP levels) were collected. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) were used to measure posterior segment parameters. Asthma patients demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in subfoveal choroidal thickness, the superficial capillary plexus in the superior and nasal quadrants, the choriocapillaris in the foveal quadrant, and the peripapillary vascular density in the inferior and superior quadrants compared to controls. Inflammation markers such as eosinophil count and CRP showed significant correlations with changes in vascular density. Asthma, as a chronic inflammatory and hypoxic condition, can significantly affect posterior segment parameters, leading to potential visual function impairments in children. Regular monitoring with OCT and OCTA can help detect early microvascular changes, allowing for timely interventions to preserve visual health.
Research on the resilience of renewable energy in rural areas—Based on the data from Shandong Province
China’s rural energy system faces three challenges: high structural carbonization, low energy utilization efficiency and insufficient supply stability. These systemic contradictions seriously hinder the coordinated promotion of the “dual carbon” strategy and the rural revitalization process. This study takes 16 cities and cities in Shandong Province as the object and combines GIS technology to construct a biomass and solar energy resource evaluation model. The amount of agricultural biomass resources is calculated through the grass valley ratio method. Its resource potential and convertible power generation are quantified, and the “Four Quadrant Model for Renewable Energy Abundance” is introduced to divide regional types. Use spatial analysis to reveal the geographical heterogeneity of resource distribution and explore differentiated low-carbon transformation paths to enhance energy resilience. The study found that the rural renewable energy endowment in Shandong Province showed significant regional differences and proposed four types of development paths: The dual-resource areas jointly develop agricultural and light complementarity and straw power generation, the photovoltaic advantage zone explores energy storage and hydrogen production, the biomass-led areas strengthen cogeneration, and the resource-scarce areas implement green electricity allocation and energy efficiency upgrades. The conclusion shows that multi-energy coordination can improve energy supply stability through space-time complementarity and risk dilution, enhance energy supply resilience, and provide a scientific paradigm for the low-carbon transformation of high-carbon provinces.
SWAT-based soil erosion and sediment yield modeling in the upper Gilgel Abay catchment, Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
Abstract Soil erosion is a critical global issue, threatening the sustainability of natural resources and agricultural productivity. Accurate information on sediment yield and soil erosion risk within watersheds is essential for developing effective management strategies. This study aimed to estimate soil loss in the Upper Gilgel Abay catchment using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The observed daily sediment data were utilized for the calibration and validation of the model outputs. Calibration and validation were performed for the periods 2002–2015 and 2016–2021, respectively. Sensitivity analysis identified the most influential parameters affecting soil loss estimates. The model performance was quite satisfactory. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.69 for the calibration and 0.67 for the validation of sediment yield. Over the past 18 years, the Gilgel Abay catchment experienced approximately 1.5 billion tons of soil loss, with spatial analysis revealing soil loss rates of up to 53.88 t/ha/year, particularly in the upper catchment. The maximum and minimum annual sediment yields at the outlet of the catchment were 318, 233 tons, and 61,575 tons per year, respectively. On average 184,695 tons of soil leave the catchment annually. While the model provided an acceptable level of the average basin-wide soil loss, certain areas exhibited severe erosion. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted soil conservation practices, such as terracing, reforestation, and sustainable land management, to mitigate soil degradation and enhance catchment sustainability.
Comparative genome analysis of Pasteurella multocida from Australian domestic animals suggests broad patterns of transmissions across multiple hosts and origins
The zoonotic bacterium Pasteurella multocida infects a wide range of animals worldwide. While the genetic diversity of this pathogen is well described in production animals, it remains underexplored in companion animals. In Australia, most P. multocida genomes come from commercial poultry. Here, 59 P. multocida clinical isolates obtained from Australian pets, (cats, dogs, rabbits), farm animals (birds, ruminants, porcine) and captive wildlife (Quolls, Serval) between 2006 and 2023 were sequenced and compared to 523 representative RefSeq genomes. Clustering and phylogenomic analyses placed 24/25 Australian pet isolates in a long-branched clade containing several MLST profiles (ST36, ST37, ST171, ST359, ST451 and ST527) also found in human isolates. Genotypes associated with Australian production animals (e.g., ST8, ST9 and ST20 from poultry, ST79 and ST394 from cattle) fell in the main branch of the tree. Minimum spanning tree and SNP analyses suggested several occurrences of cross-species transmission. Mobile genetic elements were found across the P. multocida population, without clustering into any specific phylogenetic, host, or geographic group. However, a 1.8 kb cryptic plasmid (Acc. U51470), previously described in Pasteurella canis strains from South Korea, was detected in 99/289 (34.3%) Australian P. multocida isolates from various hosts, while being largely absent from the rest of the world. Antimicrobial resistance was not detected in the isolates from Australian companion animals and captive wildlife. However, resistances to tetracyclines in bovine isolates (2/10) and ampicillin in avian (1/17) isolates were identified. This study greatly expands our insights on the diversity of P. multocida genomes from Australian companion animals and provides the basis for wider investigations on the molecular epidemiology and diversity of this pathogen, with potential applications to better understand the zoonotic risks associated with this pathogen.
Enantioconvergent Hydrobenzylation of Racemic Allylic Alcohols with Aryl Hydrazones via Bifunctional Ruthenium Catalysis
Computer aided greenness by design approach for resolving and quantifying Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical mixtures employing multiscale dynamics simulations
Abstract In this study, we present an established approach for the UV spectroscopic determination of Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene in pharmaceutical mixtures, leveraging the principles of Greenness-by-Design (GbD). By integrating molecular and electronic dynamics simulations, we have developed a greener analytical methodology that significantly reduces time and solvent waste. Our approach focuses on selecting a compromise solvent to minimize peak broadening, thereby enhancing spectral resolution and simplifying the analytical process. This work extends our ongoing efforts to establish the GbD concept in analytical chemistry, building on our previous research to promote sustainable and efficient analytical practices. The developed methods are based on simple mathematical manipulations, including Fourier self-deconvolution, absorption correction, and isoabsorptive point methods, along with ratio spectra approaches such as ratio difference and ratio derivative spectrophotometric methods. The Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene were determined with linear ranges of (1–18) µg/mL and (1–14) µg/mL, respectively. The detection and quantitation limits were in the range of (0.255–0.640) µg/mL, and (0.516–1.359) µg/mL, which reflects the method’s sensitivity. Moreover, a greenness assessment was performed to evaluate the sustainability of the proposed methods, indicating greener outcomes with a considerable reduction of the ecological footprint. This comprehensive approach underscores the potential of GbD in developing efficient, greener analytical methodologies for pharmaceutical analysis.