Correlation Analysis Research Articles

Structural brain changes in the anterior cingulate cortex of major depressive disorder individuals with suicidal ideation: Evidence from the REST-meta-MDD project.

Suicidal ideation (SI) is very common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, its neural mechanisms remain unclear. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) region may be associated with SI in MDD patients. This study aimed to elucidate the neural mechanisms of SI in MDD patients by analyzing changes in gray matter volume (GMV) in brain structures in the ACC region, which has not been adequately studied to date. According to the REST-meta-MDD project, this study subjects consisted of 235 healthy controls and 246 MDD patients, including 123 MDD patients with and 123 without SI, and their structural magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to determine whether there was a correlation between GMV of ACC and SI in MDD patients. MDD patients with SI had higher HAMD scores and greater GMV in bilateral ACC compared to MDD patients without SI (all p<0.001). GMV of bilateral ACC was positively correlated with SI in MDD patients and entered the regression equation in the subsequent logistic regression analysis. Our findings suggest that GMV of ACC may be associated with SI in patients with MDD and is a sensitive biomarker of SI.

Understanding and reducing delayed dental care for early childhood caries: a structural equation model approach

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the factors that affect treatment delay in early childhood caries (ECC), guided by a modern medical model. This study attempted to analyze the pathways influenced by these factors and provide a theoretical foundation for designing targeted intervention programs.MethodsData were collected from young children who visited the department of stomatology at a tertiary hospital from January to December 2023. Data were collected via a general information survey questionnaire, the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-year-old Children (SOHO-5), the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale-Chinese (CFSS-DS-C), the Parental Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire-8 (P-CPQ-8), the Family Impact Scale (FIS-8), and the Perceived Barriers to Health Care-Seeking Decision-Chinese (PBHSD-C). The data in this study were analyzed using a variety of statistical tests, including the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, correlation analysis, multiple stepwise regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM).ResultsThe treatment delay score of early childhood caries was 36.77 ± 10.11, indicating that the state of early childhood caries was currently at a moderate level of delay. The SOHO-5 score was 6.41 ± 1.78, the CFSS-DS-C score was 23.60 ± 6.91, the P-CPQ-8 score was 18.43 ± 4.33, and the FIS-8 score was 18.66 ± 4.28. Multi-factor analysis revealed key factors affecting treatment delay, including permanent residence, medical insurance type, oral health habits, reasons for visit, first symptoms, the time of first discovery of oral problems, brushing teeth before bedtime every day, a genetic history of dental caries and the staging of dental caries. A positive correlation existed between oral health, children’s dental fear and treatment delay, whereas social support was negatively correlated with treatment delay. The SEM, which is based on the modern medical model, revealed that children’s dental fear plays a mediating role in the relationships among social support, oral health, and treatment delay.ConclusionThe present study developed a novel model to study the ECC treatment delay, elucidated the causal links between the identified variables, and proposed potential intervention strategies to enhance oral health awareness, knowledge, and skills among young children and their parents. These strategies can help improve children’s dental visiting behavior and reduce treatment delay.

Unveiling the Impact of Collective Memory in Promotional Videos on Wuhan’s Post-Pandemic Travel Intention

ABSTRACT This study explores the influence mechanism of collective memory in promotional videos on travel intention, based on an online questionnaire survey regarding travel intention after the pandemic in Wuhan. The dimensions of collective memory about the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationships among collective memory, empathy, place attachment, and travel intention were identified using exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. The results indicate that tourism promotional videos have a significant positive impact on tourists’ travel intentions. Meanwhile, empathy and place attachment mediate the relationship between collective memory and travel intention. This study offers feasible suggestions for pandemic-related dark tourism destinations.

Reduced DTI-ALPS index in tinnitus patients: DTI-ALPS as a mediator of sleep on tinnitus.

Sleep disturbance is a common comorbidity in tinnitus patients, which may be attributed to changes in brain structure and function. The aim of this study was to explore the potential role of the glymphatic system (GS), a recently discovered pathway for brain waste clearance, in tinnitus and the associated sleep disturbance. The DTI-ALPS index of 22 tinnitus patients and 22 healthy controls (18-60 years old) were compared after controlling for age, sex, and handedness. Partial correlation and mediation analyses were performed to explore the association between the above parameters and clinical data. Significant differences were found between the right-side DTI-ALPS index and the DTI-ALPS index of the healthy group. Furthermore, the DTI-ALPS index in tinnitus patients was significantly lower than that of the healthy group (1.288 vs. 1.422, p = 0.009). After adjusting for age and sex, the DTI-ALPS index correlated significantly with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores (r = -0.587, p < 0.001). The DTI-ALPS index was negatively correlated with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores (r = -0.457, p = 0.032). The mediation analysis of the ALPS index, PSQI, and THI revealed a significant indirect effect of PSQI on the association between ALPS index and THI (p < 0.0001). The glymphatic system may influence sleep disturbance in tinnitus patients due to its role in brain waste clearance. We observed a decrease in DTI-ALPS in tinnitus patients, and our analyses suggest that sleep disturbances influence tinnitus through the mediation of DTI-ALPS. Thus, greater emphasis should be placed on averting sleep issues at Tinnitus.

The influence of parental perceptions of vulnerability on quality of life in pediatric cancer patients aged 5-7 years.

This study examined the relationship between parental perceptions of child vulnerability and quality of life (QOL) in children aged 5-7years diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, it investigates how parental perceptions influence children's QOL and provides insights into psychosocial support strategies for families facing this challenge. This descriptive and correlational study involved children aged 5 to 7years diagnosed with cancer, along with their parents. A total of 117 children and their parents participated. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, the Child Vulnerability Scale (CVS), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Both the parent and child forms of the PedsQL were used. Statistical analyses included t-tests, correlation, and regression analyses. The results indicate that a significant proportion of parents (69.2%) perceive their children as vulnerable, negatively affecting their children's QOL. The Child Vulnerability Scale showed a negative correlation with several QOL subdimensions, including pain, nausea, procedural anxiety, worry, cognitive problems, and communication. Parental perceptions of vulnerability were associated with lower QOL scores on both the parent and child forms of the PedsQL. Notably, child perceptions of vulnerability explained only 22.2% of the variance in QOL. This study highlights the critical role of parental perceptions in shaping the QOL of children with cancer. Managing and supporting parents' perceptions is essential to improving children's QOL and the effectiveness of healthcare services. This study has significant implications for nursing practice, emphasizing the importance of guiding and supporting parents to optimize their children's QOL. Furthermore, it sheds light on the tendency of parents of chronically ill children to perceive them as vulnerable, providing valuable insights for more sensitive and effective care. However, the study's limitations suggest the need for more extensive research with larger and more diverse sample groups, which could significantly advance nursing practice.

Overexpression of metalloproteinase PAPPA accelerates cancer progression and correlates with immune cell infiltration in gastric cancer: insights from bioinformatics and in vitro investigations

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system. However, the development of its targeted therapies has been slow. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms of malignant behavior of GC is key to developing their treatment methods. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A(PAPPA) is thought to play an important role in the occurrence and progression of cancer, yet its significance in the development of GC has not been reported.MethodsBioinformatics analysis elucidated PAPPA's expression in GC and its prognostic significance. The study correlated PAPPA expression with immune infiltration and signaling pathways. Cellular assays, including CCK-8, Western blotting, and flow cytometry, were utilized to examine PAPPA's role in gastric cancer cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion.ResultsBioinformatics analysis has demonstrated that the expression of PAPPA is upregulated in GC and correlates with poor prognosis. Correlation and Cox regression analyses have revealed that TNM staging, pathological staging, age, outcome assessment, postoperative tumor residue, and PAPPA expression are prognostic determinants in GC. Further analysis indicates that PAPPA is associated with the infiltration of various immune cells and pathways related to GC. Cellular experiments have shown that PAPPA promotes cell proliferation, and its deficiency can inhibit the proliferation of GC cells, inducing cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase.ConclusionsThe findings of this investigation suggest that PAPPA serves as a crucial modulator of GC, underscoring its potential as a GC treatment target.

Respiratory abnormalities in sarcoidosis: physiopathology and early diagnosis using oscillometry combined with respiratory modeling

BackgroundSarcoidosis is a multisystemic syndrome of uncertain etiology with abnormal respiratory findings in approximately 90% of cases. Spirometry is the most common lung function test used for assessing lung function in diagnosis and monitoring pulmonary health. Respiratory oscillometry allows a simple alternative for the analysis of respiratory abnormalities. Integer-order and fractional-order modeling have increasingly been used to interpret measurements obtained from oscillometry, offering a detailed description of the respiratory system. In this study, we aimed to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological changes in sarcoidosis and assess the diagnostic accuracy of these models.MethodsThis observational study includes 25 controls and 50 individuals with sarcoidosis divided into normal to spirometry (SNS) and abnormal spirometry (SAS). The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by investigating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).ResultsThe integer-order model showed significant airway and total resistance increases in the SNS and SAS groups. There was a reduction in compliance and an increase in peripheral resistance in the SAS group (p < 0.001). The fractional-order model showed increased energy dissipation and hysteresivity in the SNS and SAS groups. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations among model and spirometric parameters, where the strongest associations were between total resistance and FEV1 (r: -0.600, p = 0.0001). The diagnostic accuracy analysis showed that total resistance and hysteresivity were the best parameters, reaching an AUC = 0.986 and 0.938 in the SNS and SAS groups, respectively.ConclusionThe studied models provided a deeper understanding of pulmonary mechanical changes in sarcoidosis. The results suggest that parameters obtained through the studied models enhance evaluation and enable better management of these patients. Specifically, total resistance and hysteresivity parameters demonstrated diagnostic potential, which may be beneficial for the early identification of individuals with sarcoidosis, even when spirometry results are within normal ranges.

Behavior as a window to the mind - objective daily life assessment of attention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

For decades, researchers have been searching for objective laboratory markers to measure and define attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. However, in clinical practice, the most commonly used tools are still psychological scales, which are neither objective nor laboratory-based. This reliance on scales may stem from the fact that they are currently the only available method in this field for collecting daily-life data, and such data plays an irreplaceable role in defining mental disorders. Fortunately, wearable devices now offer the possibility of collecting objective daily-life data. In our study, we aim to monitor children's activity synchrony (AcSyn) and activity volume (AcVo) using accelerometers in a school setting to examine the correlation between these daily-life markers and the symptoms related to attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. This study included an entire class of children of 1st grade (n = 39). Children were required to wear the accelerometer on their wrist to record their activities during school time for 3 weeks using 1-second epoch, based on which we calculated AcSyn and AcVo, and conducted correlation analysis with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale. In-class AcSyn was significantly correlated with teacher-reported inattention score (r=-0·480, P = 0·001), but not hyperactivity/impulsivity score. In-class/recess AcVo is significantly related to parent-reported hyperactivity/impulsivity score (r = 0·448-0·482, P ≤ 0·002), but not inattention score. AcSyn and AcVo are potential markers to measure children's attention/hyperactivity/impulsivity performance in daily-life. Moreover, when combined with event labels and analyzed on micro or macro time scales, AcSyn and AcVo have the potential to provide profound insights.

Health Knowledge Acquisition and Health Communication Ability of Nurses: A Chain Mediating Model of Health Literacy and Health Education Competence.

The health communication ability of nurses significantly impacts patients' health positively. A strong knowledge base is essential for nurses to deliver high-quality health communication. This study aims to explore the mechanisms linking nurse health knowledge acquisition and health communication ability. A cross-sectional study. This cross-sectional study utilised convenience sampling of 667 nurses from nine county-level hospitals. Questionnaires were used to assess health knowledge acquisition, health literacy, health education competence and health literacy communication ability in nurses. Structural equation modelling was employed to investigate the mechanisms linking nurse health knowledge acquisition and health literacy communication ability. The correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships among nurses' health knowledge acquisition, health literacy, health education competence and health communication ability. The chain-mediating model indicated that health knowledge acquisition significantly influences health communication ability, with a total effect, comprising a direct effect and an indirect effect. The indirect effects were mediated either independently by health education competence or through a combination of health literacy and health education competence. A structural equation model was developed to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay among nurses' health knowledge acquisition, health literacy, health education competence and health communication ability. The model demonstrates that health knowledge acquisition has a significant overall effect and indirect effect on the improvement of health communication ability. Assisting nurses in translating health knowledge into health literacy may be a crucial step in enhancing their competence in health education. These findings enhance our understanding of the predictive effects of health knowledge acquisition on health communication ability and offer practical implications for the promoting and intervening in the health communication ability of nurses. STROBE statement. No patient or public contribution.

Morphologic Patterns of Spinal Degeneration and Trauma in a Nigerian Population: A Retrospective Radio-Anatomic Study.

Understanding the morphologic patterns of degenerative and traumatic spinal conditions is essential for precise diagnosis and management plans. This study evaluates the sequence of structural changes in degenerative spinal disorder patients' discovertebral unit and the traumatic spinal injury patterns in a northwestern Nigerian population. A hospital-based retrospective study reviewed radiologic images of 307 patients with spinal degeneration (n= 269) and trauma (n= 38) at 2 tertiary hospitals in northwest Nigeria. The study presented descriptive and inferential statistics, with a 95% confidence interval and significance level with a P value ≤0.05. The average age of patients with spinal degeneration was 52.5 years, with females (60.6%) and those aged 41 years and older (76.6%) predominant, whereas patients with trauma averaged 36.3 years and were predominantly male (78.9%) and aged 21-40 years (60.5%). Common clinical manifestations included radicular pain (53.9%) in degenerative cases and spinal shock (36.8%) in trauma. Correlation analysis showed significant links between mild/moderate straightening of spinal curvature and clinical manifestations (P= 0.001). Age-influenced osteophyte and intervertebral disc degeneration, especially in the group aged 41-60 years (P= 0.001), with AO/Magerl type A spinal injury, was more common in males (P= 0.022) and the group aged 21-40 years (P= 0.019), indicating notable demographic trends. Intervertebral disc degeneration peaks at L3, L4, and L5, notably grade III (P= 0.001), and Modic II frequencies increase from L1 (n= 16) to L5 (n= 35) without significant association (P= 0.99). This study showed different morphologic patterns in degenerative and traumatic spinal conditions in the study population, with considerable age, gender, and symptom correlations. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding these patterns for effective diagnosis and management strategies of spinal degeneration and trauma.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress-related CLIP4 plays a procarcinogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma: an integrated analysis

ObjectiveTo explore the potential of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-associated protein CLIP4 as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying mechanism.MethodsTCGA public database and a tissue microarray were used to investigate the molecular characteristics of CLIP4 and its association with disease. TCGA-LIHC dataset was used for single-gene differential expression analysis, single-gene correlation analysis, functional enrichment analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and DNA methylation analysis. RNA-seq, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and RT-qPCR were used to verify the effect of ERS on CLIP4 expression. Public databases and miRNA-seq data were used to explore the TF-miRNA-CLIP4 regulatory network. CCK-8, colony formation, EdU staining, wound-healing, Transwell, western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect the effects of CLIP4 on the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells.ResultsAnalysis of TCGA datasets and tissue microarrays demonstrated that elevated CLIP4 expression was associated with poor prognosis in HCC. Enrichment analysis revealed that CLIP4 is involved in the immune response, cell adhesion, and EMT. There was a positive correlation between CLIP4 expression and the infiltration of the majority of immune cells, immunomodulators, and chemokines. Furthermore, the DNA methylation pattern of CLIP4 was found to have significant prognostic value. ERS was found to significantly upregulate CLIP4 expression. In addition, the ERS-RELA-miR-222-5p-CLIP4 transcriptional network was constructed to clarify the role of CLIP4. Cell function experiments confirmed that it promotes the proliferation, migration, and EMT of HCC cells.ConclusionsCLIP4 is a potential immune-related oncogenic molecule in HCC. ERS regulates the expression of CLIP4, and CLIP4 promotes the proliferation, migration, and EMT of HCC cells.

Role of motor unit activity in flexor digitorum brevis to maintain balance during forward leaning

ABSTRACT Our purpose was to compare the influence of motor unit activity in Flexor Digitorum Brevis (FDB) and Soleus (SOL) on force fluctuations during three forward-leaning tasks. Ground reaction forces and high-density EMG signals were collected from 19 males when leaning forward at 25%, 50%, and 75% of maximal forward leaning force. EMG amplitude increased with percent of leaning and was greater for SOL than FDB, but there were no differences in force fluctuations across tasks. Differences in motor unit activity indicated that the relative contribution of the two muscles to the control of balance varied across tasks as confirmed by the association between the fluctuations in neural drive [standard deviation of the filtered cumulative spike train (SD of fCST)] and force [coefficient of variation (CoV) for force]. Specifically, the correlation values were greater for FDB at the lower target forces. Correlation analyses revealed that synaptic noise (CoV for interspike interval) was weakly correlated with the CoV for force, whereas the variability in shared synaptic input (SD of fCST) was strongly correlated with the CoV for force. This finding suggests that the relative influence of the two muscles on the fluctuations in force during forward leaning varied with task requirements.

Quality of Life Outcomes Following Radioactive lodine 131 Therapy in Hyperthyroid Patients: Insights from the Thyroid Patient-Reported Outcome Questionnaire.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Radioactive iodine 131 (RAI 131) therapy on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with hyperthyroidism using the Thyroid Patient-Reported Outcome (ThyPRO) questionnaire and to quantify the extent of these improvements. This two-year, prospective, single-center study was conducted at the University Medical Faculty Hospital. Eighty-four patients (39 males and 45 females) diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter, or toxic adenoma received RAI 131 therapy at doses of 10, 15, 20, or 30 mCi. The ThyPRO questionnaire, consisting of 84 questions across 12 domains, was administered before treatment and six months post-treatment to assess QoL. The primary outcome was the change in ThyPRO scores. Significant improvements in all post-treatment QoL measures were observed in both males and females (p<0.001). The average age of the patients was 58.33±12.45 years. QoL improvements were consistent across all age groups (<50, 50-60, >60 years) and at all levels of hyperthyroidism severity (mild, moderate, and severe). All RAI 131 dose groups (10, 15, 20, and 30mCi) showed significant improvements in QoL, with no significant differences between dose groups. The correlation analysis revealed that age had a weak negative correlation with QoL improvement (r=-0.20, p=0.05), whereas thyroid hormone levels were significantly correlated with QoL improvement. Multiple regression analysis identified initial ThyPRO score and age as significant predictors of QoL improvement, whereas sex and RAI 131 dose were not significant predictors. RAI therapy significantly enhanced the QoL of hyperthyroid patients according to demographic and disease severity. These findings support the use of RAI 131 as a primary treatment for hyperthyroidism, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment approaches for optimizing patient outcomes. Future research should focus on long-term QoL outcomes and refine therapeutic strategies.

In-Depth Proteomic Analysis of Tissue Interstitial Fluid Reveals Biomarker Candidates Related to Varying Differentiation Statuses in Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

The proteomic heterogeneity of gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) has been extensively investigated at the bulk tissue level, which can only provide an average molecular state. In this study, we collected an in-depth quantitative proteomic dataset of tissues and interstitial fluids (ISFs) from both poorly and non-poorly differentiated GC and presented a comprehensive analysis from several perspectives. Comparison of proteomes between ISFs and tissues revealed that ISF exhibited higher abundances of proteins associated with blood microparticles, protein-lipid complexes, immunoglobulin complexes, and high-density lipoprotein particles. Also, consistent and inconsistent protein abundance changes between them were revealed by a correlation analysis. Interestingly, a more pronounced difference between tumors and normal adjacent tissues was found at the ISF level, which accurately reflected tissue properties compared to those of bulk tissue. Two ISF-derived biomarker candidates, calsyntenin-1 (CLSTN1) and prosaposin (PSAP), were identified by distinguishing patients with different differentiation statuses and were further validated in serum samples. Additionally, the silencing of CLSTN1 and PSAP was demonstrated to suppress cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in poorly differentiated gastric cancer cell lines. In summary, the ISF proteome offers a new perspective on tumor biology. This study provides a valuable resource that significantly enhances the understanding of GC and may ultimately benefit clinical practice.

Soil warming increases the active antibiotic resistome in the gut of invasive giant African snails

BackgroundGlobal warming is redrawing the map for invasive species, spotlighting the globally harmful giant African snail as a major ecological disruptor and public health threat. Known for harboring extensive antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and human pathogens, it remains uncertain whether global warming exacerbates these associated health risks.MethodsWe use phenotype-based single-cell Raman with D2O labeling (Raman-D2O) and genotype-based metagenomic sequencing to investigate whether soil warming increases active antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) in the gut microbiome of giant African snails.ResultsWe show a significant increase in beta-lactam phenotypic resistance of active ARBs with rising soil temperatures, mirrored by a surge in beta-lactamase genes such as SHV, TEM, OCH, OKP, and LEN subtypes. Through a correlation analysis between the abundance of phenotypically active ARBs and genotypically ARG-carrying gut microbes, we identify species that contribute to the increased activity of antibiotic resistome under soil warming. Among 299 high-quality ARG-carrying metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), we further revealed that the soil warming enhances the abundance of “supercarriers” including human pathogens with multiple ARGs and virulence factors. Furthermore, we identified elevated biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) within these ARG-carrying MAGs, with a third encoding at least one BGC. This suggests a link between active ARBs and secondary metabolism, enhancing the environmental adaptability and competitive advantage of these organisms in warmer environments.ConclusionsThe study underscores the complex interactions between soil warming and antibiotic resistance in the gut microbiome of the giant African snail, highlighting a potential escalation in environmental health risks due to global warming. These findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated environmental and health strategies to manage the rising threat of antibiotic resistance in the context of global climate change.AdnBgoJMA6vXQ_QbwbArLGVideo

Sowing seeds for the future: Future time perspective and climate adaptation among farmers.

A future time perspective is critical to domains where outcomes of choices are delayed and potentially catastrophic: such as with agriculture where management decisions today are critical to the viability of multiple outcomes in the future. Farmers are on the front lines of climate change where shifts in rainfall and temperature threaten the viability of crop production. This reality is compounded for some farmers who lack the resources needed to adapt. Prior work has shown that farmers with strong injunctive norms towards conservation, and sufficient resources, are more likely to implement adaptation practices, but little research has explored the role of future time perspectives relative to these factors. We test whether future time perspective may lead US Midwestern farmers to develop injunctive norms towards conservation, and in turn, implement adaptation practices. We find support for this mechanism through both a correlational analysis (Study 1), and a manipulation of the salience of future impacts through a vignette experiment (Study 2). In addition, we see that some socioeconomic resources constrain adaptation. These results are relevant to regions where greater adaptation practices are needed to protect against climate impacts on operations that produce row crops like corn, soy and wheat.

Enhancing physical activity levels in 9–11-year-old children of varied genders: strategies leveraging parental exercise consciousness

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the predictive associations of parental exercise consciousness with the physical activity (PA) status and characteristics of 9–11-year-old children, in an attempt to identify effective strategies for addressing PA insufficiency in children from a parental standpoint.MethodsThe PA rating scale-3 and the Chinese Civic Exercise Consciousness Questionnaire were used to measure primary school students’ PA and their parents’ exercise consciousness from 361 families in Tianjin, China. The dimensions of exercise consciousness were cognition and identity (CI), sentiment and intention (SI), attitude and willingness (AW), and rights and responsibilities (RR) dimensions. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA with post-hoc test analysis, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis were performed.ResultsFirst, children’s PA increased with age, with boys significantly exceeding girls (p &amp;lt; 0.01). Significant gender differences were observed in both PA intensity and frequency (boys higher than girls, p &amp;lt; 0.01), although this was not consistent across age groups. Variations in PA duration and frequency showed significant age-related changes (p &amp;lt; 0.01), whereas intensity showed significant changes at older ages (p &amp;lt; 0.01). Second, we observed moderate to above-average level of parental exercise consciousness, and a significantly positive correlation between parental exercise consciousness and children’s PA levels (α = 0.601, p &amp;lt; 0.01); meanwhile, all four dimensions of parental exercise consciousness showed varying degrees of positive correlations with children’s PA intensity, duration, and frequency (p &amp;lt; 0.01). Third, stratified linear regression analysis showed the varied predictive associations of the different dimensions of parental exercise consciousness with children’s PA intensity, duration, and frequency. SI and AW significantly predictively associated with PA levels across different age groups and genders (p &amp;lt; 0.05).ConclusionAge and gender showed crucial associations with children’s PA levels, resulting in distinct preferences and behaviors between boys and girls across various age groups. Parental exercise consciousness of exercise positively associated with the intensity, frequency, and overall volume of children’s PA. Enhancing parental consciousness of exercise-related emotions, intentions, attitudes, and willingness may effectively associate with enhancements in the intensity, duration, and frequency of their children’s PA, ultimately promoting greater engagement in physical exercise among the youth.

Development of self-assessment scale of Public health nursing Art to enhance “Strength of Community” (PASC)

BackgroundIn recent years, health needs have become more complex and serious in Japan, and technologies that enhance local strengths to solve problems are essential. It is essential to develop a learning programme for public health nurses to acquire public health nursing skills that enhance community strengths and a self-assessment scale for achievement.AimThis study developed a self-assessment scale for the Public Health Nursing Art to Enhance “Strength of Community” (PASC).DesignThis study was designed as confirmatory.MethodsA draft of the scale was developed using the framework of Public Health Nursing Art to Enhance “Strength of Community,” and a self-administered questionnaire was mailed to full-time public health nurses working at 1245 sites, including the government offices of the prefectures and ordinance-designated cities/designated mid-level cities across Japan. Subsequently, item, confirmatory factor, and correlation analyses were conducted to verify the scale’s reliability and validity.FindingsContent, construct, and criterion-related validities and reliability were confirmed.ConclusionsThis scale can measure public health nursing art to enhance public health nurses’ “strength of community.” Furthermore, reflecting on their daily activities will improve public health nurses’ skills, contributing to the community's optimal health outcomes.Clinical evidenceThis study developed a self-assessment scale of Public Health Nursing Art to enhance “Strength of Community.” Regarding reliability, no significant bias in the data distribution or correlations was observed and confirmed internal consistency. Regarding construct validity, the GFI, AGFI, and CFI were considered statistically acceptable.

Analysing the correlation between differential corneal thickness along principal meridians and corneal astigmatism: implications for whole-eye astigmatism.

This study aimed to analyse the correlation between corneal astigmatism and disparity in corneal thickness. In this retrospective analysis, data from 342 patients (684 eyes) were collected. The Sirius three-dimensional corneal topography system was utilised to ascertain the mean corneal thickness of the meridians. Correlation analyses were conducted between the mean difference in corneal thickness along the two principal meridians and the astigmatic values computed by simulated keratometry values (Sim-K) for total corneal astigmatism (TCA) and posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA), respectively. Variability in differential corneal thickness (DCT) values at different TCA levels was analysed. The variability of DCT within the 3-mm corneal range at different differences between whole-eye astigmatism and TCA (Difference between corneal astigmatism and computer optometry, DWT) levels was analysed. Within the ranges of 3, 4.5, and 6 mm, the mean corneal thickness of the meridian with the maximum refractive power (Sim-K2) was greater than that of the meridian with the minimum refractive power (Sim-K1) (P < 0.05). The TCA showed a negative correlation with DCT across all three ranges (P < 0.001), whereas PCA exhibited a positive correlation with DCT (P < 0.001). A difference was observed among the TCA groups within each range, with DCT increasing alongside the dioptre of astigmatism (P < 0.05). In the 3 mm corneal range, an increase in the difference in corneal thickness was associated with an increase in the difference between whole-eye astigmatism and TCA (P < 0.05). The meridian with the maximum refractive power had a thicker mean corneal thickness than the meridian with the minimum refractive power. The difference in corneal thickness is closely related to the severity of corneal astigmatism. The extent of residual astigmatism is influenced by this thickness difference.

An anoikis-related signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy response in gastrointestinal cancers

BackgroundGastrointestinal (GI) cancers have high incidence rates and mortality rates. Anoikis is a special type of cell apoptosis, and anoikis resistance has been reported to be associated with tumor malignancy. We aimed to explore the roles of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in the GI cancer prognosis.MethodsWe extracted RNA sequencing and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibu databases for patients with esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer and identified ARGs from GeneCards and Harmonizome. Anoikis-related patterns were identified via unsupervised clustering analysis. We constructed a prognostic signature (Anoscore) based on prognostic ARGs through univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The model was validated and evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, receiver operating characteristic curves, univariate Cox regression analysis, multivariate Cox regression analysis, column charts, and calibration curves. We also performed a single-cell sequencing analysis of candidate genes via TISCH2. A correlation analysis between the Anoscore, the tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity was conducted in GI cancers. The expression and function of some candidate genes were validated in vitro.ResultsIn terms of prognostic ARGs, two anoikis-related patterns, ARG clusters A and B, were identified. ARG cluster B had a worse prognosis than did ARG cluster A. Subsequently, the Anoscore was developed as an independent prognostic factor. It demonstrated the robust predictive capability for the prognosis of patients with GI cancers. Notably, patients with high Anoscores exhibited poor outcomes. In addition, we established a nomogram (Ano-nomogram) based on the Anoscore and clinicopathological factors of patients to predict the 3-year and 5-year survival probabilities. Moreover, patients with high Anoscores had higher levels of immune cell infiltration and higher immune checkpoint expression. The drug sensitivity analysis revealed that patients with high or low Anoscores were sensitive to different chemotherapies and targeted drugs. S100A11 and TLR3, representative candidate genes, exhibited different expression patterns and biological functions.ConclusionThis study highlighted the significant potential of the Anoscore in predicting prognosis and guiding the selection of personalized therapeutic regimens for patients with GI cancers.