Cross-sectional Research Study Research Articles

Predictive model of suicide risk in Colombian university students: quantitative analysis of associated factors

IntroductionThe risk of suicide and completed suicides among young university students presents critical challenges to mental and public health in Colombia and worldwide. Employing a quantifiable approach to comprehend the factors associated with these challenges can aid in visualizing the path towards anticipating and controlling this phenomenon.ObjectiveDevelop a predictive model for suicidal behavior in university students, utilizing predictive analytics.MethodWe conducted an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and analytical research study at the University of Manizales, with a focus on predictive applicability. Data from 2,436 undergraduate students were obtained from the research initiative “Building the Future: World Mental Health Surveys International College Students.”ResultsThe top ten predictor variables that generated the highest scores (ranking coefficients) for the sum of factors were as follows: history of sexual abuse (13.21), family history of suicide (11.68), medication (8.39), type of student (7.4), origin other than Manizales (5.86), exposure to cannabis (4.27), exposure to alcohol (4.42), history of physical abuse (3.53), religiosity (2.9), and having someone in the family who makes you feel important (3.09).DiscussionSuicide involves complex factors within psychiatric, medical, and societal contexts. Integrated detection and intervention systems involving individuals, families, and governments are crucial for addressing these factors. Universities also play a role in promoting coping strategies and raising awareness of risks. The predictive accuracy of over 80% in identifying suicide risk underscores its significance.ConclusionThe risk factors related to suicidal behavior align with the findings in specialized literature and research in the field. Identifying variables with higher predictive value enables us to take appropriate actions for detecting cases and designing and implementing prevention strategies.

Exploring organizational digital readiness to offer youth E-Mentoring

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many youth mentoring programs to offer digital services (e-mentoring). The sustained success of these efforts depended, in large part, on organizations’ digital readiness. Although there are established, broad measures of digital readiness, mentoring organizations have unique requirements for readiness that have not been previously measured. The current cross-sectional survey research study measured the state of digital readiness for youth mentoring organizations and tested the organizational E-Mentoring Readiness Scale. Ninety-five representatives from U.S. mentoring programs completed an online survey. Participants felt mentors, mentees, and families were moderately comfortable with e-mentoring. There was less confidence and comfort with the required technology and execution of e-mentoring. A confirmatory factor analysis of the E-Mentoring Readiness Scale showed two distinct but related factors with good model fit. An honest assessment using this tool may allow the youth mentoring field to move into the digital age more seamlessly.

Nutritional Status of Children Under 5 Years Using Gomez's Classification

Objective: To assess the malnutrition status of the children <5 years of age in the Uttarakhand region. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional research study on 55 children aged <5 years was conducted in the Hasanpur and Mandawar village. The data was collected by using tools like socio demographic profile, breast feeding practices and Anthropometric assessment like height, weight, BMI and MUAC) of the children. Gomez's Classification was centred on assessing wasting in children. Result: The result showed that out of 55 children 10.9% showed mild wasting, 43.63% moderate wasting and 40% showed severe wasting. The assessment of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurements in children indicated that 8% displayed severe malnutrition, 27% exhibited moderate malnutrition, and 65% maintained a normal nutritional status. 43.63 % were moderately underweight and were severely underweight. Breastfeeding was received by 86.6% of the children. Conclusion: The study conclude that most of the children were malnourished.

Awareness of Anti-adhesive Barriers Among Surgeons in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Post-operative adhesions present a number of difficulties, including intestinal obstruction and infertility, and they frequently require readmission due to adhesion-related problems. Notwithstanding these ramifications, there are surprisingly few thorough national surveys that address surgeons' awareness of adhesives. By assessing Saudi surgeons' knowledge of post-operative adhesions and their use of anti-adhesive medications, this study aims to close this knowledge gap. Methods This study is a cross-sectional observational research study aimed at Saudi Arabian surgeons utilizing a self-administered, semi-structured online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to participants via social media and in-person email using basic random selection. It included adhesion morbidity and prevalence, pre-operative informed consent issues, adhesion preventive viewpoints, and anti-adhesive chemical use. Results There were 111 participants in total, of 41% were experienced surgeons with more than five years of experience. According to the survey, the majority of surgeons occasionally employed anti-adhesive compounds, especially during laparotomies (28%), and38%never used them during laparoscopies. The study found that participants varied in what they informed patients regarding adhesion complications: 25% of participants informed 5%-10% of the patients about the possible adhesion complications in laparotomy procedures, whereas 26% of participants informed 10-25% of the patients in laparoscopic procedures. Compared with their specialist peers, general surgeons agreed more on the clinical significance of adhesions and prevention. Notably, three-quarters of participants were unclear about when to use anti-adhesive compounds. Conclusion While acknowledging the clinical significance of post-operative adhesions and recognizing the potential for prevention, most surveyed surgeons did not include adhesions as a post-operative complication in informed consent. The study underscores a belief in the efficacy of anti-adhesives yet reveals a widespread lack of clarity regarding specific indications for their use. Recommendations include implementing educational sessions during surgical training to heighten awareness of adhesions as a major post-operative complication and to encourage the appropriate utilization of available barriers and pharmacological anti-adhesive products.

Assessment of nutritional status - related factors among students at Cuu Long University, Vietnam

Nutrition is the most important factor for humans to survive, to grow, and to be active. Nutritional care for the community is a key to health for each age group. It has rarely been found studies on nutritional status among university students in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. This study aims to assess the nutritional status-related factors among students at Cuu Long University. Being a cross sectional research study, the subjects of the study consisted of 329 students in 6 majors. They were recruited using a systematic and multistage sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews and data collection were conducted through a questionnaire. Nutritional status was measured based on BMI. Minitab 20 was used to describe and analyze the data. The chi-square test was used at p = 0.05. The findings showed that the percentage of students with nutritional status according to BMI CED level (Chronic Energy Deficiency) – thin was 24.32% with CED grade 1 was 14.29% and CED grade 2 was 7.29% and CED grade 3 was 2.74%; the percentage of students with nutritional status according to BMI level of overweight - Obesity was 13.98%, of which obesity was 3.04% with obesity grade 1 was 2.43% and obesity grade 2 was 0.61%. The findings also showed that students’ majors, gender, sleep duration, and playing sports were four factors associated with the students’ nutritional status. Appropriate measures should be taken to improve the nutritional status of students.

A survey of the assistive technology experience of older adults in Tompkins County, NY

Purpose: To understand the assistive product (AP) related needs, unmet needs, demands and barriers of older adults (OA) this study addresses older adults in Tompkins County, NY.Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional descriptive research study used the World Health Organization’s rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA). A convenience sample of adults 65 or older in Tompkins County, NY. were surveyed to understand their need for AP, access to it and satisfaction with it.Results: The mean age of the 102 respondents was 73 (SD=6.91). Ninety-five % of participants reported currently using an AP. The findings reveal that while OA are using AP in their everyday lives, barriers to getting the AP that they need remain. While 49% of participants had difficulty with their cognition, the use of AP for cognitive support was only reported by 10 % of the participants. Additionally, there are many different types of AP being used by older adults. These products not only assist users with impairments included on the survey such as hearing, vision, mobility, etc. but with other concerns such as comfort, safety, and injury prevention. One limitation of our study was that we utilized a convenience snowball method to recruit participants in a local area and thus the findings cannot be generalized beyond the study.Conclusion: OA identify both the need for AP that they do not have and a variety of barriers including lack of knowledge and funding for AP that interferes with their obtaining it. Ongoing research is needed to further understand the AT related needs of this growing population as there are many different areas in rehabilitation where work is needed to increase access to AP.

Impacts of optimal control strategies on the HBV and COVID-19 co-epidemic spreading dynamics

Different cross-sectional and clinical research studies investigated that chronic HBV infected individuals’ co-epidemic with COVID-19 infection will have more complicated liver infection than HBV infected individuals in the absence of COVID-19 infection. The main objective of this study is to investigate the optimal impacts of four time dependent control strategies on the HBV and COVID-19 co-epidemic transmission using compartmental modeling approach. The qualitative analyses of the model investigated the model solutions non-negativity and boundedness, calculated all the models effective reproduction numbers by applying the next generation operator approach, computed all the models disease-free equilibrium point (s) and endemic equilibrium point (s) and proved their local stability, shown the phenomenon of backward bifurcation by applying the Center Manifold criteria. By applied the Pontryagin’s Maximum principle, the study re-formulated and analyzed the co-epidemic model optimal control problem by incorporating four time dependent controlling variables. The study also carried out numerical simulations to verify the model qualitative results and to investigate the optimal impacts of the proposed optimal control strategies. The main finding of the study reveals that implementation of protections, COVID-19 vaccine, and treatment strategies simultaneously is the most effective optimal control strategy to tackle the HBV and COVID-19 co-epidemic spreading in the community.

Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Screening Practices among Women in Bindura District, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe

Cervical cancer (CaCx) is the most common cancer among women and is also the major cause of death worldwide. It is the most common cancer among black Zimbabwean women accounting for 29.4% of the cases. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices among women in Bindura District, Zimbabwe. A descriptive cross–sectional research study was conducted. The study sample consisted of 100 consenting women who were selected from Bindura Hospital, Chipadze and Chiwaridzo Council Clinics using simple random sampling method. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire as a guide. Data were processed using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SSPS) software version 20 and analyzed descriptively. Data revealed that knowledge of risks factors and preventive measures for cervical cancer was poor as only (31%) had high knowledge levels. Although the majority of the respondents (77%) had heard about cervical cancer screening only (22%) were screened, the major reason cited being lack of knowledge. Perception of risk for cervical cancer was poor as (58%) of the respondents did not perceive to be at risk of cervical cancer. The study revealed that cervical cancer knowledge level was very low and screening practices were very poor. Therefore, health care providers need to intensify awareness on cervical cancer through health education across women of all age groups. The government should also make cervical cancer screening available and accessible at most health care facilities.

Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes in Kermanshah Older Adults

Background: Mental health help-seeking is the initial step in evaluating one's mental state, receiving an accurate diagnosis and professional intervention for mental health problems. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the mental health help-seeking attitudes of older adults in Kermanshah. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional research study was conducted in 2022 among 538 individuals aged 60 and above who were beneficiaries of the pension funds in Kermanshah, Iran. The samples were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected through interviews with older adults using a standardized questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: The mean age of respondents was 66.01 ± 4.09, ranging from 60 to 75 years. About 39% (210 people) of older adults had positive mental health help-seeking attitudes, and 61% (328 people) had negative mental health help-seeking attitudes. The positive mental health help-seeking attitudes were higher in older adults with higher educational levels (P < 0.001) and better economic status (P = 0.029). Conclusions: The majority of the older adults had a negative attitude towards mental health help-seeking, highlighting the importance of interventions to improve elderly attitudes toward mental health help-seeking.

Prevalence and factors associated with excessive daytime sleepiness among Malaysian medical students

The purpose of our study was to ascertain the frequency of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) amongst medical students as well as the contributing variables. In Kelantan, Malaysia, at the School of Medical Sciences of Universiti Sains Malaysia, a cross-sectional research study was carried out. The Epworth drowsiness scale was used to gauge the degree of daytime drowsiness, and the depression, anxiety, and stress scale was used to gauge the degree of depression, anxiety, and stress. The related factors of EDS were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. 311 individuals, or 84.5% of the total, submitted the questionnaire out of 368. 42.7% of people had EDS (95% CI: 0.52, 0.70). The associated factors of EDS included year of study (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.55 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33, 0.91]), race (Chinese) (AOR=0.58 [95% CI: 0.32, 0.97]), anxiety level (mild) (AOR=2.68 [95% CI: 1.26, 5.68]), anxiety level (moderate) (AOR=3.70 [95% CI: 1.76, 7.75]), anxiety level (severe) (AOR=4.76 [95% CI: 1.06, 21.42]), stress level (mild) (AOR=3.37 [95% CI: 1.47, 7.30]) and stress level (moderate) (AOR=5.42 [95% CI: 2.05, 14.35]). As for conclusion, associated factors such as year of study, race, anxiety and stress level were significantly found to be associated with EDS among medical students.<b> </b>

The Effect of American Society of Anesthesiologists Score and Operative Time on Surgical Site Infection Rates in Major Abdominal Surgeries.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two crucial variables, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and operative time, on the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in the context of major abdominal surgical procedures. A cross-sectional research study involved patients undergoing various gastrointestinal surgical procedures. Surgical details, procedure duration, and ASA score were meticulously documented. Patients were observed for surgical site infections (SSIs) during their inpatient stay until discharge. Following their discharge, patients were monitored in the outpatient department for a minimum of 30 days post-surgery, and those who underwent mesh procedures were observed for one year. In the overall study population, surgical site infections were identified in 42 cases, constituting 6.7%. There was a significant association between ASA grade and the incidence of surgical site infections (p=0.001), indicating a higher prevalence of infections in cases with elevated ASA grades. Furthermore, a statistically significant association exists between the average duration of surgery and the occurrence of surgical site infections (p=0.001). The meansurgery duration for cases with infections is reported as 206.33 min, with a standard deviation of 103.73, while for cases without infections, the mean duration is 99.72 min, with a standard deviation of 79.71. In the multivariate analysis, it was found that an ASA score of 3 or higher and operative time exceeding 90 min were identified as independent factors for predicting the likelihood of surgical site infections. The significant associations identified between the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, average surgery duration, and SSIs underscore the importance of comprehensive preoperative assessment and procedural management in infection prevention.

BULLYING ENCOUNTERED AND THEIR PERCEIVED IMPACTS ON STUDENTS’ SENSE OF SELF

This cross-sectional research study explores various forms of bullying experienced by students and their impacts on their sense of self at selected national high schools in Apopong District, Division of General Santos City. Three key questions are addressed: identification of encountered bullying forms, examination of their effects on students' sense of self (physical, emotional, intellectual, behavioral, social, and creative), and development of school interventions based on the findings. Data was collected from forty-five high school students through a survey questionnaire adapted from Anderson's (2007) work, with triangulation through focus group discussions. Results show verbal bullying is most prevalent, followed by emotional and physical bullying. The impact on students' sense of self varies, with physical sense moderately affected. perceived impact leads to feelings of powerlessness, inferiority, and fighting back. Recommendations include debriefing workshops to address self-esteem issues. Further research in diverse settings is advised to understand bullying prevalence and design effective interventions. The proposed "Bullying Prevention Program" empowers teachers to create secure learning environments and enhance student well-being. Continuous monitoring and evaluation ensure program efficacy.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0728/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Predictors of overload in parents of children with neuromuscular diseases.

Parents of children with neuromuscular diseases experience multiple difficulties in their daily lives that affect their physical and psychological health. The risk factors for these health issues have not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the potential predictors of overload in these parents, including QoL, somatic symptomatology, life satisfaction, psychological adjustment and certain sociodemographic variables. A cross-sectional research study was conducted among parents who are caregivers for children with NMD in Spain. A convenience sample of 110 parents who were contacted by associations and hospitals was used. Variables were evaluated using the sociodemographic questionnaire, CarerQol-7D, PHQ-15, Barthel Index, Psychological Adaptation Scale, Zarit Overload Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale. One of the most relevant findings of the present study is the identification of 3 overload groups (mild to moderate, moderate to severe, and severe overload) based on life satisfaction and somatic symptom scores within the predictive model of the discriminate analysis. Wilk's lambda of the discriminant function was 0.568, χ2 (2, n = 55) = 8.815, p < 0.001. This study presents a model that reveals the influence of unemployment, having a child with a severe level of dependency, the presence of somatic symptomatology and life satisfaction on caregiver overload. Likewise, the caregiver's self-esteem could be a protective factor against overload.

Continuing Bonds in grieving men: A comparative description of Costa Rica and Spain

Continuing Bonds among grieving men from Costa Rica and Spain were compared, with the primary hypothesis that there would be significant differences between the two groups. A descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional research study was conducted. Non-probability and convenience sampling was employed, involving 227 grieving men who completed an online questionnaire comprising sociodemographic data, mediators of mourning, and the Continuing Bonds Scale. The results did not reveal significant differences in Continuing Bonds expressions. However, upon controlling for the interaction between degree of kinship with the deceased person, notable differences emerged in Continuing Bonds and internalized and externalized Continuing Bonds (p < 0.05). The influence of sociocultural factors in each country on Continuing Bonds expressions is considered. The findings could support the development of strategies centered on grieving men, Continuing Bonds, and their specific needs.

Promoting Kenya’s National Interests through Strategic Communication: Challenges and Opportunities

Purpose: Throughout history, nations have sought to protect, promote and advance their national interests. Countries use various elements and instruments of national power in pursuit of those national interest. These includes military, diplomatic, economic and information. Like other nations, Kenya employs these instruments in various ways. Strategic communications, forms a key element of the information aspect of national power. Despite the importance of strategic communications in the pursuit of national interests, this paradigm has not been fully acknowledged nor been substantially leveraged on. This study therefore had the key objectives of determining the role of strategic communications in selected case studies in promotion of national interests, examining the role of strategic communications in promoting Kenya’s national interests and identifying opportunities and challenges of strategic communications in promoting national interests.&#x0D; Methodology: This study adopted a pragmatic research methodology. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were adopted. The qualitative research offered the usual narrative information collected through interviews. While information acquired through questionnaires and interviews offered quantitative data necessary data on the role of strategic communication in promoting Kenya’s national interests. Being a cross-sectional research study, the researcher used interviews for gathering data, and questionnaires for data collection. This study used purposeful sampling to choose 86 respondents in ‘Job Group’ ‘P’ and above from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Security and National Administration and the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Digital Economy based in Nairobi. The quantitative data gathered from the questionnaires was coded, edited, organized, and analyzed with the assistance frequency tables, whereas the qualitative data obtained from the open-ended questions of the interviews is thematically analyzed in accordance with the research objectives.&#x0D; Findings: The findings reveal that the Government of Kenya has attempted to institutionalize strategic communications in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This study further shows that if well capacitated, coordinated and provided with requisite leadership, these institutions provide opportunities that would be useful in the synchronization of the instruments of national power. The study identified various opportunities as well as challenges encountered in the utilization of strategic communications in promoting Kenya’s national interests.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study was informed by Institutional and Realism theories. The Institutional theory has been identified as one of the most prominent theoretical perceptions of organizational and management research while Realism is considered a longstanding theory, critical in understanding social phenomena from different perspectives. The study recommended the entrenchment strategic communications in the National Security Council (NSC) by setting up an office of strategic communications and coordination under the NSC. Moreover, there is need to ensure implementation of the National Communication Policy and Strategy while ensuring harmonization through a whole government approach that can lead to policy coherence.

Relationship between cognitive function and weight-adjusted waist index in people ≥ 60 years old in NHANES 2011–2014

BackgroundWidespread attention has been given to the detrimental effects of obesity on cognitive function. However, there is no evidence on the connection between low cognitive performance and the WWI (weight-adjusted waist index). This study looked into the connection between poor cognitive performance and the WWI in senior Americans.MethodsA cross-sectional research study was carried out with information from the NHANES 2011–2014. With multivariate linear regression models, the pertinence between the WWI and low cognitive function in persons older than 60 years was examined. The nonlinear link was described using threshold effect analyses and fitted smoothed curves. Interaction tests and subgroup analysis were also conducted.ResultsThe study had 2762 individuals in all, and subjects with higher WWI values were at greater risk for low cognitive function. In the completely adjusted model, the WWI was positively connected with low cognitive performance assessed by CERAD W-L (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.03–1.45, p = 0.0239), AFT (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.54, p = 0.0029), and DSST (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.30–1.94, p < 0.0001). The effect of each subgroup on the positive correlation between the WWI and low cognitive performance was not significant. The WWI and low cognitive performance as determined by CERAD W-L and AFT had a nonlinear connection (log-likelihood ratio < 0.05).ConclusionAmong older adults in the United States, the risk of low cognitive performance may be positively related to the WWI.

Psychosocial factors associated with intention to pursue tertiary education among Malawian students: the moderating effect of mental health

BackgroundIn Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), approximately 9 million students are enrolled in tertiary education (TE), which is 4% of the total TE enrolment globally. Barriers to higher education in SSA are numerous: poverty, food insecurity, gender, and disability, while the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation. Little is known about the psychosocial factors and underlying mechanisms associated with students’ intention to apply for TE. Using a psychological theory of behaviour change, our study investigated the psychosocial and context factors associated with the application to TE.MethodsIn a cross-sectional research study 821 interviews using researcher-administered questionnaires were conducted with secondary school students in rural and urban Blantyre, Malawi. A quantitative questionnaire based on the risks, attitudes, norms, abilities, and self-regulation (RANAS) model was used to assess psychosocial factors underlying application for TE. The Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and household hunger scale were used to assess mental health and hunger respectively.ResultsMore than half of the youth were at risk to develop depression (66.5%). Girls reported experiencing more depression symptoms than boys. Around 1 in every 5 interviewed youth lived in a home experiencing moderate or severe hunger. A higher intention to apply for TE was related to perceived vulnerability, affective beliefs (joy, happiness, excitement), injunctive (approval of others) and personal norms, self-efficacy, and commitment to apply. Factual knowledge about TE application was very limited. An intention to apply for TE and self-efficacy was positively associated with regular physical exercise, but negatively associated with mental health and hunger. However, mental health moderated the effects of physical exercise on the intention to apply for TE. We found significant differences between poor and good mental health groups on intention to apply for TE in perceived vulnerability, descriptive (behaviour of others) and personal norms, self-efficacy, maintenance self-efficacy and commitment factors. The results informed a behaviour change intervention strategy to increase students’ intention to apply for TE.ConclusionsOur research findings are an important contribution to the long-term strategy of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the inclusion of vulnerable students with impaired mental health in higher education in Malawi and beyond.

Assessment of gingival recession in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Objective: To assess the gingival recession in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Orthodontic, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Science Jamshoro and Department of Orthodontic, Civil Hospital Hyderabad. Period: 05-01-2021 to 04-06-2021. Material &amp; Methods: A total of 183 patients aged 18–35 have been included in this descriptive cross-sectional research study. After the history was taken, the study participants went through a clinical examination, but for those patients with ongoing fixed orthodontic treatment, at least three to six months of orthodontic treatment have been completed. Gingival recession was assessed using Millers’ classification and oral hygiene index. Results: The average age of 183 individuals was 22.75+2.29 years. Women outnumbered men 65.5% to 35.5%. According to the oral hygiene index, 28.4% of patients scored exceptional (0-0), 39.3% acceptable (0-0.6), 25.7% fair (0.7-1.8), and 6.6% bad (1.9-3.0). Marginal gingival tissue recession categorization showed that 66.6% of patients had no recession, 21.8% had class I, 10.9% had class II, 0.5% had class III, and 0% had class IV. According to oral hygienic index, marginal tissue recession categorization was significant (p=0.001). At 0.035 significance level, marginal tissue recession and oral hygiene score were positively linked (r=183). Conclusion: Most of the cases with fixed orthodontic appliances had no gingival tissue recession, only few cases seen class I and class II. However, this mild gingival tissue recession was significantly associated to oral hygienic index.

Electrode Montage for Bilateral Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP) Testing.

Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) are predominantly ipsilateral, myogenic responses originating from saccular activation. Some individuals have contralateral-crossed cVEMP responses with monaural air-conducted stimulation (ACS) which can contaminate cVEMP responses with bilateral stimulation. While the origin of the contralateral-crossed response is under debate, its presence has implications for cVEMP testing with midline bone conduction vibration (BCV). The purpose of this study was to determine the origin of the contralateral-crossed cVEMP response. It was hypothesized that the crossed response is due to electrode contamination and would disappear with a modified electrode montage. Cross-sectional research study. Fifteen healthy participants (30 ears; mean age: 27.4 19-39; 10 females). Participants completed cVEMP testing using three stimulation methods (monoaural ACS, binaural ACS, and midline BCV) and two electrode montages (sternum reference and Fp reference). In the monoaural ACS with sternum reference condition, 53.3% ears had contralateral-crossed cVEMP responses that were in-phase with the ipsilateral response for all but 3 ears. Whereas in the monoaural ACS with Fp reference condition, 3% had a contralateral-crossed cVEMP response. ACS and BCV cVEMP corrected amplitudes were significantly larger in the sternum reference conditions, which is attributed to artificial enhancement from the in-phase contralateral-crossed responses. The significant reduction of contralateral-crossed responses in the Fp reference condition suggests that the contralateral-crossed cVEMP response is due to reference electrode contamination and may be a more appropriate reference placement when completing cVEMPs with midline BCV. The purpose of this study was to determine the origin of the contralateral-crossed cVEMP response. It was hypothesized that the crossed response is due to electrode contamination and would disappear with a modified electrode montage. Cross-sectional research study. Fifteen healthy participants (30 ears; mean age: 27.4 19-39; 10 females). Participants completed cVEMP testing using three stimulation methods (monoaural ACS, binaural ACS, and midline BCV) and three electrode montages (sternum reference, Fp reference, and active on Fp). In the monoaural ACS with sternum reference condition, 53.3% ears had contralateral-crossed cVEMP responses that were in-phase with the ipsilateral response for all but 3 ears. Whereas in the monoaural ACS with Fp reference condition, 3% had a contralateral-crossed cVEMP response. No participants demonstrated responses using Fp for the active electrode suggesting this is a neutral site. ACS and BCV cVEMP corrected amplitudes were significantly larger in the sternum reference conditions, which is attributed to artificial enhancement from the in-phase contralateral-crossed responses. The significant reduction of contralateral-crossed responses in the Fp reference condition suggests that the contralateral-crossed cVEMP response is due to reference electrode contamination and may be a more appropriate reference placement when completing cVEMPs with midline BCV.

The Effect of Obesity on Severity of Asthma: An Observational Prospective Study from Pakistan.

The current research study aimed to access the relationship between obesity and asthma exacerbations and severity among adult patients at the outpatient section of a federal hospital (PIMS) in Islamabad, Pakistan. A cross-sectional research study was carried out on 207 asthma adult patients belonging to different areas and ethnic groups from the country. The study setting was the PIMS hospital, which attracts patients from all over the country due to its facilities and cost-effective treatments. The body mass index (BMI) of asthma patients was calculated using the heights and weights of the study subjects. However, the pulmonary functions were calculated using a computerized spirometer i-e Spirolab III S/N 303681 in line with Winspiro PRO 7.1.version software. It presents the patient's forced vital capacity that expires in the first second of expiration to full (FEV1) in comparison to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio, that is, Tiffeneau-Pinelli index was also recorded to determine the asthma severity. According to recent surveys, the overall prevalence of patients with overweight and obesity was 29.0% and 23.7%, respectively. A Chi-square test was used, and a statistically significant relationship was observed between BMI and asthma severity (P < 0.001). The adult obese female patients presented poor pulmonary functions. The average FEV1/FVC ratio presented significant variance among four different categories of BMI with P < 0.05. This difference was due to the normal BMI category as the Tiffeneau-Pinelli index, that is, FEV1/FVC in the normal BMI group was significantly lower as compared to that in underweight and obese patients. The study subjects presented raised asthma severity in accordance with the raised BMI. Obese patients presented comparatively raised asthma exacerbations. Moreover, a statistically significant association of gender difference was observed between obesity and asthma severity. It was concluded that adult asthmatic women with obesity presented raised asthma severity as compared to adult asthmatic males.