Correlation Test Research Articles

Impact of sense of coherence on oral hygiene, dental caries and periodontal status of young adults in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Background: Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a logical factor that enables people to cope with stressors and successfully improve health. Oral health has an impact on general health and Quality of Life. This study was undertaken with the aim to assess the impact of SOC with Oral Hygiene, dental caries and periodontal status among young adults in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Materials and methods: The study was conducted among 500 young adults of age group 19 to 23 years selected using cluster random sampling. SOC data were collected using 13 item standardized versions of SOC scale proposed by Antonovsky. Oral hygiene status was assessed using Oral Hygiene Index- Simplified (OHI-S) by John C Greene and Jack R Vermillion, Dental caries was assessed using WHO criteria Decayed Missing Filled Treatment (DMFT) index and Periodontal status was estimated using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Analysis was done using Median test and Pearson correlation to compare SOC scores with dental parameters. Level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: SOC scores ranged from a minimum of 22 to a maximum of 81. The mean SOC score is 52.8 ± 7.6. There was no significant association between SOC and OHI(S), and mean DMFT. CPI and LOA were found to be significantly associated with SOC. The correlation test confirms that there is a significant weak correlation (R= -0.094; p<0.05) between CPI and SOC, i.e., as SOC score increases, CPI score decreases. However, Correlation value is not significant in LOA vs SOC. Conclusion: Although there was a significant relation only between SOC and CPI, the concept can be used to modify the oral health care behaviours to improve their quality of life.

Identification of biomarkers associated with coronary artery disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by bioinformatics analysis and machine learning

The constantly emerging evidence indicates a close association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the exact mechanisms underlying their mutual relationship remain undefined. This study aims to explore the common signature genes, potential mechanisms, diagnostic markers, and therapeutic targets for CAD and NAFLD. We downloaded CAD and NAFLD datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by limma. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with common DEGs (co-DEGs), and hub genes were screened by Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) algorithm. Candidate biomarkers were selected from intersection of three machine learning algorithms. Expression levels, nomogram, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of candidate biomarkers were performed. CIBERSORT algorithm was used to assess the immune cell infiltration, and Spearman’s correlations tests were used for calculating the correlation of biomarker genes. A total of 554 overlapping DEGs associated with CAD and NAFLD were obtained by analysis of GSE113079 and GSE89632 datasets. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed that the co-DEGs were significantly enriched in immune effector process, inflammation response and lipid metabolism. The PPI network generated a 1245-edge network, and top 50 genes were selected using the MCC algorithm. The candidate biomarkers were screened from intersection of machine learning in GSE89632, including CEBPA, CXCL2, JUN and FOXO1. The ROC results showed that these four biomarker genes have good diagnostic value for patients with both CAD and NAFLD. Then we explored the immune landscape, immune infiltration and the correlation between biomarker gene expression in CAD and NAFLD samples. In this study, we predict that CEBPA, CXCL2, JUN and FOXO1 can be used to diagnose CAD and NAFLD. Our study provided new insights for potential biomarkers, molecular mechanism and therapeutic targets for both diseases.

Kindergarten teachers’ emotional intelligence and surface acting: the chain mediating effects of self-efficacy and work engagement

BackgroundEmotional labor, distinct from physical and mental labor, has gained significant attention in contemporary organizational psychology research. As a strategy for performing emotional labor, surface acting refers to the process of faking emotions to meet the demands of organizations’ norms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and surface acting among Chinese kindergarten teachers, focusing on the mediating role of self-efficacy and work engagement.MethodsIntegrating the conservation of resources theory and the job demands-resources model, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,017 Chinese kindergarten teachers using Wong & Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and Surface Acting Scale. SPSS 26.0 was used to conduct descriptive statistics and correlation tests. Structural equation modeling and mediation analysis were constructed using AMOS 28.0.ResultsThe results showed reveals several key findings. Firstly, kindergarten teachers’ emotional intelligence significantly positively predicted surface acting rather than negatively. Secondly, self-efficacy and work engagement, respectively, mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and surface acting in kindergarten teachers. Additionally, self-efficacy and work engagement have chain mediating effects in the relationship between kindergarten teachers’ emotional intelligence and surface acting.ConclusionThe research findings reveal the influencing mechanism of kindergarten teachers’ emotional intelligence on surface acting, providing a theoretical basis and practical implications for understanding and promoting the reasonable use of surface acting by kindergarten teachers in the Chinese context.

Seroprevalence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in São Sebastião, Brazil (2020–2021): a population-based survey

BackgroundUrban arboviruses pose a significant global burden, particularly in tropical regions like Brazil. São Sebastião, a lower-middle-class urban area just 26 km from the Brazilian capital, is an endemic area for dengue. However, asymptomatic cases may obscure the actual extent of the disease. In this study, we measured the seroprevalence of dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya, and compared these findings with surveillance data.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1,535 households. ELISA serological tests were performed to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya. History of previous exposure to arboviruses, data on age, gender, and education level were collected through a questionnaire. Participants who tested positive for IgM and/or IgG were classified as soropositive. Statistical analyses included tests for normality, associations, mean comparisons, and correlations. Positive serological results were compared with cases captured by local epidemiological surveillance.ResultsThe study included 1,405 individuals, divided into two groups related to pre-pandemic and pandemic COVID-19 phases. Among participants, 0.7% to 28.8% self-reported history of dengue, Zika, or chikungunya. However, the estimated overall seroprevalence was 64.3% (95% CI: 61.8–66.7) for dengue virus, 51.4% (95% CI: 48.8–53.9) for Zika virus, and 5.4% (95% CI: 4.4–6.7) for chikungunya virus. Multiple arboviruses were noted at 4.0% (95% CI: 3.1–5.1). Advancing age and lower education were associated with higher exposure to arboviruses (p < 0.05). The estimated number of urban arboviral infections was 84 times higher than reported cases.ConclusionsThe large gap between seroprevalence estimates and cases captured by epidemiological surveillance suggests a silent circulation of arboviruses, highlighting the need for comprehensive serological surveys in endemic regions. Addressing these discrepancies is crucial for effective resource allocation and implementation of public health interventions.

Assessment of health behaviors of primary school teachers based on their nutritional knowledge and physical activity: A cross-sectional study in the Asir Region.

Primary school teachers play a critical role as educators in imparting healthy eating behaviour and the importance of physical activity to prevent health issues. However, the teachers' health behaviors have not been studied much, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Understanding these factors is essential to developing interventions that enhance teachers' well-being and their ability to influence students positively. This study aims to assess nutritional knowledge and physical activity; to determine correlations between health behaviour factors and Body Mass Index (BMI), and evaluate BMI status concerning demographic factors among primary school teachers in the Asir Region, KSA. A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 370 primary school teachers. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that covered sociodemographic details, anthropometric measurements, physical activity levels, and nutritional knowledge. Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation and Chi-square tests, with significance at p < 0.05. Among the participants, 38.6% were overweight, and 33.5% were obese, with 76% of married teachers classified as overweight or obese. Only 9.0% exhibited excellent nutritional knowledge, while 25.0% demonstrated poor knowledge. The majority (84.0%) engaged in low or minimal physical activity. A weak but significant correlation was observed between nutritional knowledge and BMI (p < 0.05), whereas no significant associations were found between physical activity levels and either BMI or nutritional knowledge. The study highlights critical gaps in nutritional knowledge and physical activity among teachers, emphasizing the need for targeted school-based health education programs. Improving teacher health behaviors could enhance their well-being and enable them to act as positive role models for their students.

Measurement and spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of dietary diversity among Chinese residents

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure the dietary diversity and to analyze the regional characteristics, differences, and evolutionary trends of dietary diversity among Chinese residents.MethodsIn this paper, the dietary diversity among Chinese residents was measured using the Shannon index based on the provincial-level food consumption data from 1995 to 2021. On this basis, the paper employs analysis methods such as kernel density estimation, spatial correlation test, and Dagum’s Gini coefficient to analyze the regional characteristics, differences, and trends of change in dietary diversity.ResultsDuring the study period, the dietary diversity among Chinese residents showed an increasing trend. Among the four major geographic regions, the dietary diversity was highest in the southern region, followed by the northern region, northwest region, and Qinghai-Tibet region. Among the three major economic regions, the dietary diversity was highest in the eastern region, followed by the central region and western region. There was a significant positive spatial correlation in the dietary diversity among Chinese residents, and both high-high agglomeration and low-low agglomeration phenomena were strengthened. In terms of the trend of regional differences, whether overall differences, interregional differences, or intraregional differences, they all showed a shrinking trend. However, interregional differences were the main source of overall differences in dietary diversity among Chinese residents.ConclusionThe dietary diversity among Chinese residents shows an overall increasing trend, and there are regional differences in dietary diversity from the perspectives of economic and geographic regions, which have been narrowing over time.

Relationship Between Stress And Ear-Nose-Throat Disorder Exam Values In Medical Education Students Of The Faculty Of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University

Stres academic is one of significant challenges? for student medicine, especially Because burden dense and demanding curriculum? high academic. Stress? This can influence performance academic in a way direct and also No directly. Research This focus on relationships between level stress and results exam module Disturbance Ear Nose Throat (ENT-KL) in students medical class of 2022 at Sam Ratulangi University . Research This aiming For analyze connection between level stress experienced? students and results mark exam module ENT-KL disorders, as well as give outlook related interventions that can done For support welfare students. Research use design observational analytic with cross-sectional approach. The sample consists of of the 204 students who met the requirements criteria inclusion. Stress level measured use Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) instrument, while mark exam module obtained from notes academic official. Analysis done using the Spearman-rho correlation test to determine connection between level stress and results mark exam. Most of student be at the level stress moderate (71.1%) and successful to obtain A grade (92.6%) on the exam module. The Spearman-rho test shows No existence connection significant between level stress and value test (p = 0.756; r = 0.022). Findings This show that level stress No in a way direct influence achievement academic student in module this. Research results This indicates that although level stress currently often experienced by students, this is the No always become barrier for achievement academic. Support institutional, such as training management stress and counseling, can help student with level stress tall For reach balance between pressure academic and performance.

Analysis of The Influence of Visible Safety Leadership and Job Satisfaction on Safety Work Performance at PT. Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk Pabrik Cilacap

This research aims to analyze the influence of visible safety leadership and job satisfaction on safety work performance at PT. Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk Cilacap Factory. This research uses quantitative research methods with descriptive and analytical approaches. The research subjects were employees and contractors of PT. Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk Cilacap Factory involved in overhaul activities. Data collection was carried out randomly through questionnaires, interviews and observations. Research data was analyzed using quantitative statistical test techniques and then described in detail based on the results of each test. The research results show that work accidents at PT. Solusi Bangun Indonesia decreased during the 2023 overhaul activities due to its leadership role in ensuring workplace safety during these activities. This research highlights how visible leadership behavior in the field, or visible safety leadership and job satisfaction, contributes to increasing safety work performance. The Regression and Correlation Test Method used to analyze the data shows that 76.4% of safety work performance is influenced by visible safety leadership and job satisfaction, while the rest is influenced 23,6 % by other factors. These results confirm that leadership behavior that is proactively involved and visible in the field and high job satisfaction in implementing safety has a significant impact on safety performance, which ultimately contributes to a safer work environment for all workers.

Validity and reliability of a sport participant psychosocial well-being instrument: a preliminary study

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of an instrument designed to measure the psychosocial well-being of sports participants. Method: This study has four phases: preparation, translation, field trials, and validation methods. Seven experts evaluated the study based on content, clarity, and feasibility. The study involved 55 participants in 12 different sports using the test-retest approach. The participants were 19 women and 36 men, with an average age of 15 years and 7 months. Result: The analysis results show that each item meets the validity criteria, with a Pearson correlation value higher than the r table value (0.266). Intraclass correlation test shows the reliability of each sub-variable is 1) Psychosocial Well-being of 0.938, Social Integration of 0.871, Social Contribution of 0.923, Social Actualisation of 0.926, Social Coherence of 0.916, and Social Acceptance of 0.995 indicating all sub-variables have high consistency. With valid and reliable results, this instrument is ready for further research. Conclusion: This study shows that the Psychosocial Well-being Instrument for sports participants has excellent validity and reliability, with validation results from experts and test-retest tests showing strong consistency. This instrument is ready for further research and practical applications, such as assisting coaches, psychologists, and counselors in assessing the psychosocial well-being of sports participants and supporting psychosocial development programs that improve the performance and mental well-being of sports participants. In addition, this instrument can support the development of policies that pay attention to psychosocial aspects in sports participant development and open up opportunities for further research on the relationship between psychological well-being and other factors in sports

Sustainability Benefit Evaluation and Optimization of Rural Public Spaces Under Self-Organization Theory

Agriculture-oriented rural areas represent one of the forms of specialized agricultural practices and economic development. Public spaces serve as critical carriers within the rural spatial system. Rural public spaces are divided into two forms: explicit spaces and implicit spaces. The interaction between these forms significantly influences the morphological evolution of rural public spaces. This study takes the ancient village cluster in Anyi, Nanchang City, China as a case study. By collecting POI (Point of Interest) data and conducting surveys on visitors’ landscape preferences, it employs a life circle spatial division method and the VEISD (Village Evaluation Indicators for Sustainable Development) entropy model to evaluate the sustainability benefits of rural public spaces. Based on the evaluation results, the study proposes a control and guidance method for public spaces under self-organization theory. This method leverages the interference effects of explicit rural public spaces on implicit spaces to optimize rural public spaces. The study focuses on the planning and renovation of public space nodes in Luotian Village. By adjusting the sub-indicator “Village Public Environment Construction D22”, it validates the scientific robustness of the systems analysis theory and the VEISD framework. By adjusting the spatial layout and attributes of a critical spatial node—the Ancient Camphor Tree Square in Luotian Village—within rural public space planning, the study advances the guidance and control of public spaces during the self-organization evolution of rural areas. It enhances the openness of spatial forms and the functional integration of public space nodes. The results demonstrate that this method can analyze the vitality characteristics of factors within subsystems through the layout and indicator system of rural public spaces. It also validates the findings via correlation tests with the demands for POI and landscape preferences, ultimately constructing the VEISD framework for rural public spaces. This research provides theoretical support for optimizing the resource transformation and utilization of rural public spaces, offering a reference model for the sustainable development of rural areas.

AcousticMeasuresAccording to Speaker Gender Identity: Differences and Correlation With Vocal Satisfaction.

To analyze acoustic measures of speech and vowel samples from individuals of different genders and to correlate these acoustic measures with vocal satisfaction. This study aims to provide additional data on acoustic measures, serving as references for clinicians while emphasizing the importance of moving beyond cisgender norms. Additionally, it addresses a gap in the Brazilian context by exploring correlations between acoustic measures and self-perceived vocal satisfaction across diverse gender groups. Cross-sectional study. Speech segments and sustained vowel emissions from 47 individuals (11 cisgender women-CW, 11 transgender women-TW, 11 cisgender men-CM, seven transgender men-TM, and seven non-binary individuals-NB) were recorded, and 14 acoustic measures of noise, perturbation, spectral, and cepstral parameters were extracted. Vocal satisfaction was measured using a visual analog scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner, and Spearman correlation tests, considering P<0.05. Significant differences were observed in various acoustic measures, such as the average fundamental frequency (fo) between CW and CM (P <0.001), TM (P=0.015), and TW (P=0.050); minimum fo between CW and CM (P =0.002) and TW (P =0.050); Jitter between CW and CM (P=0.013); H1-H2 between CW and CM (P=0.002); Shimmer between CW and CM (P =0.046); Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) SCORE between CW and CM (P=0.024); median fo in speech between CW and CM (P <0.001), TM (P=0.009), and TW (P=0.011); minimum fo in speech between CW and CM (P=0.014) and TW (P=0.031); and maximum fo in speech between CW and TW (P=0.050). The measures that correlated with vocal satisfaction werestrong positive correlation for spectral emphasis in CW (R=0.608; P=0.047) and noise-to-harmonic ratio in TW (R=0.724; P =0.012); very strong positive correlation for smoothed cepstral peak prominence in TM (R=0.847; P=0.016); and strong negative correlation for coefficient of variation of intensity in NB (R =-0.775; P=0.041). Acoustic measures differ according to the speaker's gender in the studied sample. Significant differences were observed in fundamental frequency between CM and cisgender and TW, as well as between cisgender and TW. Differences in fundamental frequency, Jitter, Shimmer, the difference between the first two harmonics, and the were identified across gender groups. The measures correlated with vocal satisfaction differed among the groups. However, these correlations should be interpreted cautiously, as they suggest a relationship but do not imply causation, and their clinical significance requires further investigation.

Combined application of metagenomics and FEAST to trace sources of microbial eukaryotic contamination in the Pasig-Marikina-San Juan (PAMARISAN) river system in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Microbial eukaryotes are vital to global microbial diversity, but there is limited information about their composition and sources in contaminated surface waters. This study examined the pathogens and potential sources of microbial eukaryotic communities in polluted sink environments using the 18S rDNA amplicon sequencing combined with the fast expectation-maximization for microbial source tracking (FEAST) program. Six sampling sites were selected along the Pasig-Marikina-San Juan (PAMARISAN) River System, representing different locations within the waterway and classified as sinks (n = 12), whereas animal fecal samples collected from various farms were classified as sources (n = 29). Taxonomic composition revealed Stramenopila, Alveolata, Rhizaria (SAR), Archaeplastida, and Excavata in the rivers, accounting for 85.1%, 13.2%, and 0.36% mean abundance of microbial sink communities, respectively. Clinically relevant human pathogens were also observed in sink environments. The correlation test demonstrated that dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, pH, temperature, fecal coliform count, and phosphates were important environmental factors driving community variations. Moreover, FEAST results indicated that sewage (19.6%) was the primary source of microbial eukaryotes, followed by duck (0.644%) and cow (0.566%) feces. Spatio-seasonal variations showed higher contributions at downstream stations and during the wet season, highlighting the role of rainfall in enhancing microbial dispersal. Results from community-based microbial source tracking can be used to explore factors shaping microbial eukaryotes in freshwater environments, assess potential pathogen-related hazards, and inform river conservation and management strategies. Furthermore, this also serves as preliminary data for microbial eukaryotic source tracking in the Philippines, laying groundwork for future research.

Exploring fetal growth patterns in the second trimester: insights from ultrasound measurements among the Minangkabau Ethnic Group in Indonesia

BackgroundUnderstanding fetal growth is essential for predicting perinatal outcomes and long-term health implications. This study explores the correlation between ultrasound parameters and gestational age in the Minangkabau ethnic group, focusing on the biometric variables biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), and humerus length (HL) during the second trimester.MethodsConducted from December 2020 to December 2021, the research employed a cross-sectional design at the Fetomaternal clinic of Hospital M. Djamil Padang and affiliated hospitals. Pregnant women (n = 600) meeting inclusion criteria were sampled consecutively. Univariate, bivariate (Pearson correlation test), and multivariate (linear regression) analyses were performed using SPSS software.ResultsDemographically, most participants were 21–30 years old, primigravida, with senior high school education, and employed. Fetal biometric measurements displayed increasing variability with gestational age. AC exhibited the strongest correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.005) with gestational age during the second trimester. The study validated the accuracy of AC in estimating gestational age based on LMP (r = 0.95, p = 0.0001).ConclusionThis study contributes to the understanding of fetal growth dynamics, emphasizing the reliability of ultrasound parameters in estimating gestational age during the second trimester, particularly in the Minangkabau ethnic group. The strong correlation, especially with AC, enhances the precision of due date predictions and refines prenatal care strategies. However, limitations include the study’s focus on a single ethnic group, potentially restricting generalizability. Future research should explore fetal growth dynamics across diverse populations, incorporate longitudinal designs to assess growth trajectories, and evaluate additional maternal and environmental factors. Enhanced standardization of AC measurement techniques is also necessary to reduce variability and improve clinical utility.

Why Do Teachers Join Informal Groups and How Are They Managed?: A Research on Informal Groups in Schools

ABSTRACTInformal groups have a significant impact on organisations. It is seen that the researches in the literature are generally conducted on business organisations and informal groups in educational organisations and approaches to managing these groups are not sufficiently discussed. In this study, the identification of informal groups in schools, teachers' reasons for participating in these groups and administrators' management styles of these groups were examined. The study was conducted with the participation of 345 school administrators and 477 teachers working in the central districts of Ankara. The data were collected with ‘Informal Groups List’, ‘Reasons for Participation in Informal Groups Scale’ and ‘Informal Groups Management Style Scale’. Arithmetic mean, standard deviation, percentage, frequency values were calculated in the analysis of the data; also t‐test, Anova and Pearson Correlation Test were applied. According to the results of the study, the most common informal groups in schools are ‘reference groups’, ‘interest groups’, ‘friendship groups’ and ‘benefit groups’. Teachers generally participate in informal groups in order to ‘sense of belonging’, ‘making friends’, ‘being in solidarity’ and ‘share their feelings’. According to administrators' views, administrators manage informal groups in democratic, autocratic and laissez‐faire styles, respectively, while according to teachers, administrators adopt democratic, laissez‐faire and autocratic management styles, respectively. The findings show that there is a moderate positive relationship between administrators' styles of managing informal groups and teachers' reasons for participating. This study is expected to contribute to the literature by determining the types of informal groups in schools, examining the reasons why teachers participate in these groups, and the management styles of school administrators towards these groups.

Emergency medicine transformation to improve hospital admissions and patient outcomes: Emergency ambulatory care model in Hong Kong

AbstractIntroductionThe Prince of Wales Hospital's Emergency Ambulatory Care (EAC) service, initiated in August 2021, exemplifies an innovative approach to the emergency department (ED) to address the increasing demands on healthcare systems. This study evaluates the impact of EAC service on hospital admissions, focusing on patients with ambulatory care‐sensitive conditions over the initial 5 months.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the EAC service from 1 August 2021 to 31 December 2021. The service integrated the ED's workflow and operated 171 eight‐hour sessions. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman correlation test were used in the analysis.ResultsA total of 408 patients were recruited and the service achieved a high discharge rate of 89.5%, contributing to a 7.5% reduction in hospital admissions for medical conditions. These results were supported by a significant negative correlation (r = −1.000, p &lt; 0.001) between the number of EAC sessions provided and the average daily percentage of patients admitted to the medical wards, underscoring the service's capacity to alleviate hospital admission rates. Furthermore, it achieved a low rate of 30‐day all‐cause mortality of 1.0%, without any intensive care unit admission, and an unscheduled ED re‐attendance rate of 4.7%.ConclusionsThe EAC service's successful implementation and outcomes demonstrate its potential to transform emergency care delivery, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional inpatient hospitalization for acute medical conditions. This research contributes to the ongoing discussion on optimizing healthcare delivery, emphasizing the need for innovative models like the EAC to improve system efficiency and patient outcomes in the face of growing healthcare challenges.

Divergent roles of circulating miR-133 and miR-155 in modulating angiotensin II levels among hypertensive patients in Melanesian and non-Melanesian populations

The therapeutic approach to hypertension often varies across racial and ethnic groups; however, antihypertensive treatments have not yet been tailored to account for these variations in Indonesia, a country with diverse racial and ethnic groups. In addition, microRNA-133 (miR-133) and microRNA-155 (miR-155) play critical roles in cardiac muscle homeostasis and inflammatory responses, but their specific functions in hypertension remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between circulating miR-133 and miR-155 levels and angiotensin II (ANG-II) levels in hypertensive patients from Melanesian and non-Melanesian populations in Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jayapura, Indonesia among Melanesian and non-Melanesian hypertensive patients. The levels of ANG-II were quantified using sandwich ELISA, while the relative expression of miR-133 and miR-155 levels were measured by real-time PCR. Differences between the two groups were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test, and correlations between miR and ANG-II levels were determined using the Spearman correlation test. The relative expression levels of miR-133 and miR-155 in the Melanesian group were significantly higher than in the non-Melanesian group; 6.94-fold (3.85 vs 0.55) and 2.1-fold higher (0.19 vs 0.09), respectively. MiR-133 had a moderate negative correlation with ANG-II in both Melanesian (r=-0.538; p&lt;0.001) and non-Melanesian (r=-0.649; p&lt;0.001). However, miR-155 had no significant correlation with ANG-II levels in either the Melanesian group (p=0.551) or non-Melanesian group (p=0.159). This study highlights that miR-133 levels are significantly correlated with ANG-II concentrations in both Melanesian and non-Melanesian hypertensive patients, suggesting that miR-133 may play a regulatory role in the ANG-II pathway. These findings provide insights into the potential of miR-133 as a biomarker for hypertension management in diverse populations.

How Does Supportive Leadership Impact the Safety Behaviors of the New Generation of Construction Workers?

Numerous other scholars have, from an organizational perspective, underscored that leadership styles, such as transformational and transactional leadership, are pivotal antecedents to the safety behaviors of construction workers. However, there is a lack of research exploring the relationship between leadership styles and the safety behaviors of this specific group of new-generation construction workers at the individual level. Relying upon social exchange theory, social cognitive theory, and contingency theory, this research explores the impact of supportive leadership—characterized by care and support—on the safety behaviors (safety compliance and safety participation) of new-generation construction workers. A comprehensive approach combining questionnaire surveys, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation tests, and linear regression was adopted. The results demonstrate that supportive leadership has a significant positive influence on the safety behaviors of new-generation construction workers. Moreover, safety self-efficacy partially mediates this relationship. Additionally, a positive team safety climate enhances the effect of supportive leadership on safety participation. This study provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing leadership styles to improve safety behaviors among new-generation construction workers and offers new insights into the nuanced application of leadership styles in construction safety management.

Prediction Accuracy of Stackelberg Game Model of Electricity Price in Smart Grid Power Market Environment

With the deepening of power market reform and the increasingly fierce competition in the power market, the accurate prediction of electricity price has become an important demand for power market participants to make scientific decisions, optimize resource allocation, and reduce risks. Electricity price forecast can provide a key reference for the power market, help market participants make wise decisions, promote competition and efficient operation and cope with complex market fluctuations, provide a scientific basis for various entities to optimize resource allocation, reduce risks and improve benefits, and promote the sustainable development of the power industry. This study presents a dynamic retail price prediction method for smart grid based on the Stackelberg game model. Firstly, the correlation test is used to verify the strong correlation between electric load and electricity price. Secondly, the parameters of the Stackelberg model are determined, and the load and electricity price are tested using the white noise test. Finally, by comparing the BP neural network model and quantifying the model parameters, the superiority of the model is verified. The results show that the Stackelberg game model has higher prediction accuracy than the BP neural network model in electricity price prediction.

Exploring the burden of cholera in the WHO African region: patterns and trends from 2000 to 2023 cholera outbreak data

IntroductionCholera outbreaks remain persistent in the WHO African region, with an increased trend in recent years. This study analyses actual drivers of cholera including correlations with water, sanitation, and hygiene...

P0362 Bowel urgency in inflammatory bowel disease: The URGENT index

Abstract Background Bowel urgency is commonly defined as the sudden need to rush to the bathroom to empty one’s bowel. In a systematic review including 321 studies evaluating bowel urgency, definition of bowel urgency was heterogeneous (1). In most of these studies, non-validated questionnaires, based on subjective responses of the patients, were used. The objective of this study were to develop the URGENT index, an IBD-specific bowel urgency index, and to evaluate correlation between the URGENT index and the Urgency Numeric Rating Scale (UNRS). Methods URGENT-1 was a cross-sectional, multicenter study with prospective inclusions of IBD patients and with an optional follow-up for a subset of patients. A stratification on the type of IBD was performed. The components of the URGENT index were based on variables describing in systematic review and expert opinion. All the symptoms potentially associated with bowel urgency were collected, and assessed with a 10-point visual analog scale. Results The content validity of the symptoms potentially associated with bowel urgency was tested by five experts. Face validity of the selected items was checked for clarity, comprehension, and ease of response with 20 patients. Then data corresponding to the selected items were collected. The overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.972. We systematically removed items based on their individual impact on the overall Cronbach’s Alpha. Three main factors explained most of the variance (87.9%): immediate urgency and action, ability to delay to go to toilets, and emotional and behavioral responses to urgency. There was no difference in gender and IBD type in the distribution in the factorial structure. To construct the index, we extracted the loadings from the PCA results and identified significant loadings with a threshold of 0.6. Next, we calculated the row means for these significant items to create subscale scores for each component. These scores were then weighted by the variance explained by each component. The weights were normalized, and the final index, named URGENT index, was calculated as a weighted sum of the subscale scores. A sample of 40 patients, who were considered as stable, were studied to evaluate the test-retest reliability after a 3- week-period. Consistency of the URGENT index with the UNRS was tested using Spearman correlation test (0.77). Overall, the ICC values indicated good to excellent reliability across different models. Each index proposal will be tested prospectively. Conclusion This study developed an IBD-specific bowel urgency index. This will allow to have a homogeneous and standardized definition of bowel urgency, measure the effectiveness of treatments, and systematically assess this symptom in clinical practice for IBD patients. References Caron B, Ghosh S, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Identifying, Understanding, and Managing Fecal Urgency in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Jun;21(6):1403-1413.e27. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.02.029. Epub 2023 Mar 9. PMID: 36906079.