University Health Sciences Research Articles

Family Health Clinical Officers: Key professionals to strengthen primary healthcare in Kenya.

Primary healthcare (PHC) is recognised as the means to achieve universal health coverage, a national priority for Kenya. With only approximately 200 family physicians for a population of over 54 million, innovative solutions for providing quality PHC are needed. Clinical Officers, as mid-level health workers, already provide much of the primary care across Kenya, but without specialised training. To provide highly trained Family Health practitioners, a Higher Diploma in Family Health for Clinical Officers (FHCO) was launched by the government in 2018. With experience in delivering innovative and strategic higher diplomas, AIC Kijabe Hospital has been involved in curriculum development of this new diploma since its inception, and in October 2021 the first cohort of FHCO trainees was admitted to Kijabe College of Health Science, graduating in 2023. The second cohort is underway with plans for an annual intake. The FHCO graduates are running Family Medicine clinics at AIC Kijabe Hospital and its satellite clinics and are heavily involved in teaching. They are well-trained to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based, cost-effective and holistic care. As the programme expands, we expect graduates to be working across the country and leading efforts in enhancing the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities within primary healthcare networks (PCNs). By training FHCOs, this higher diploma is an efficient and cost-effective way to improve PHC, particularly for underserved Kenyans, and thus is a key part of enabling the Kenyan Government to achieve universal health coverage. This model of training could easily be replicated in other countries.

Comparison of serum Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (VCAM) level among epithelial ovarian cancer patients and healthy women.

To compare serum vascular cell adhesion molecule levels among ovarian cancer patients of different standardised grades, and in relation to healthy controls. The case-control study was conducted from 6.2.2018 to 1.8.2021 after approval form the ethics review board of the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised females aged 20-70 years diagnosed with ovarian cancer and tentatively planned for surgical procedures in group A, and healthy controls in group B. From all the subjects, 2.5ml blood was taken in a green-top tube. The tubes were centrifuged, and the serum was separated within an hour of sample collection. The Eppendorf tubes were labelled and stored at -20°C. The samples were thawed, and, following the manual protocol, they were subjected to vascular cell adhesion molecule enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cancer antigen 125 values before surgery and 6-8 months post-surgery were recorded from available laboratory reports. Also, group A was categorised in line with the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stage classification. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. Of the 80 female subjects, 40(50%) were group A cases and 40(50%) were group B controls. The overall mean age was 48±12 years. Overall, 55(68.7%) women were aged <55 years and 25(31.3%) were aged >55 years. Within group A, 20(50%) had cancer stage I-II and 20(50%) had stage III-IV. Overall median vascular cell adhesion molecule was 72.40ug/L (interquartile range: 1857.40ug/L), with 71.15ug/L (interquartile range: 616.60ug/L) in group A and 74.10ug/L (interquartile range: 1848.70ug/L) in group B. Significant correlation was found between cancer stage and vascular cell adhesion molecule level (rho=0.73; p=0.003). There was a decreased level of vascular cell adhesion molecule level in epithelial ovarian cancer cases compared to healthy controls. A positive association was observed between ovarian cancer stage and vascular cell adhesion molecule level.

Ethical consideration in programme evaluation for health professional education programmes.

To explore the ethical considerations and measures of quality assurance during data-collection for programme evaluation in health professional education. The qualitative case study was conducted at Bahria University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from August to November 2023, and comprised faculty members involved in programme evaluation for at least two years having done a minimum two audit cycles. System thinking philosophical framework was used during the data-collection phase. A diverse sample was selected to ensure representation from different sectors and roles within the teams. Data was collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Data was subjected to thematic analysis. There were 7 faculty members who were interviewed individually twice in addition to 4 focus group discussion. Members of quality assurance team were experts in their respective fields, but were not found to be wellversed in terms of ethical considerations that should guide data-collection. This lack of knowledge may inadvertently lead to ethical lapses in the evaluation process. Another ethical challenge seen was bias in the data-collection phase. Faculty members integral to programme evaluation efforts were found to lack knowledge regarding ethical considerations in data-collection, which can pose significant risks.

The Influence of Work Motivation and Job Satisfaction on the Performance of Employees at the Yarsi Pontianak Health College

This research aims to analyse the influence of job satisfaction and work motivation on the performance of employees at the Yarsi Pontianak College of Health Sciences (Stikes). We employ a quantitative approach with explanatory research as our research method. We collected data by distributing questionnaires to all employees of Stikes Yarsi Pontianak, which included 20 lecturers and 26 education staff, resulting in a total sample of 46 people. The data analysis technique uses structural equation modelling (SEM) with a partial least squares (PLS) approach via SmartPLS version 4.0 software. The research results show that: (1) Job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on the performance of Stikes Yarsi Pontianak employees with a t-statistic value of 1.969 &gt; 1.96, p-values 0.050 &lt; 0.050, and a path coefficient of 0.405; (2) Work motivation has a positive and significant effect on the performance of Stikes Yarsi Pontianak employees with a t-statistic value of 2.602 &gt; 1.96, p-values 0.010 &lt; 0.050, and a path coefficient of 0.540. These findings imply that to improve employee performance, Stikes Yarsi Pontianak must pay attention to factors that can increase job satisfaction and work motivation, such as a conducive work environment, fair compensation, career development opportunities, good interpersonal relationships, job security, suitability for tasks, and motivational approaches tailored to individual needs. Future research should investigate additional variables that could impact employee performance, utilizing a wider range of research methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding.

Efficacy of Submucosal versus Pterygomandibular Dexamethasone Injection in Surgical Extraction of the Impacted Lower Third Molar

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and postoperative complications of preoperative submucosal dexamethasone injection compared to preoperative dexamethasone injection into the pterygomandibular space for surgical extraction of the impacted lower third molar. Study design and setting: This was a quasi-experimental, cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dow International Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from April to July 2021. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 72 patients who reported surgical extraction of their lower wisdom teeth and consented to participate in this study. The patients were randomly divided into the submucosal injection group (SM) and the pterygomandibular space (PM) group. The injection time was recorded on the second and seventh postoperative days. Results: No significant differences in the duration of the intervention were observed between the two groups (23.08 min in PM, 23.07 min in SM). The postoperative facial swelling was significantly reduced transversely (ear lobe to the angle of the mouth) in both groups compared to their respective baselines on the first postoperative day. On the secondpostoperative day, significant changes were observed in the submucosal group in postoperative swelling. Conclusions: Using intraoral dexamethasone injections in third molar surgery significantly reduces conventional complications of surgery while avoiding the systemic side effects of steroids. Dexamethasone should be used regardless of the administration site when warranted, with less apprehension than is common in dentistry

Unmasking the coronavirus pandemic impact on students' academic performance (University of Cape Coast-Ghana).

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted various institutions significantly, including education. Although several studies have explored the transmission of the COVID-19 virus among humans health, few have investigated its impact on tertiary education in Ghana. This study, therefore, aimed to unmask the effects of COVID-19 on the academic performance of tertiary students in Ghana, specifically at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Stratified and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select respondents from the College of Health and Allied Sciences at UCC for this study. Based on Krejcie and Morgan's table for determining sample sizes for a large population in a study, a sample size of 531 was studied. Questionnaires were created and distributed to respondents from various departments to solicit their views. COVID-19 has significantly affected the academic performance of students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. A strong positive correlation was found between the positive impact of COVID-19 and academic performance (β = 3.385, p < 0.001). The study identified the absence of group discussions, poor internet networks, and other factors hurting students' academic performance (β = -2.308, p < 0.001). Resources such as libraries, conducive environments in halls and hostels, and other factors also significantly influenced students' academic performance (β = 2.941, p < 0.005). The study's findings suggest that virtual learning platforms, adequate learning infrastructures, and internet packages should be available to students to facilitate teaching and learning as the University prepares for future pandemics.

Nursing students’ approaches to learning in selected Malawian nursing schools: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundStudents’ approaches to learning are of essence in nursing education. This is because nursing is a profession where classroom learning leads to clinical performance. Although the literature recognizes student’s approaches to learning as a significant aspect affecting the quality of students’ learning, studies suggest that quality of learning has not been highly achieved in Malawian nursing colleges. Currently, there is a scarcity of empirical data on the learning approaches that Malawian nursing and midwifery students in nursing colleges employ. This study assessed the different approaches to learning among nursing and midwifery students in selected Malawian nursing colleges.MethodsThis was a cross- sectional study that employed quantitative methods. The target population was nursing and midwifery students pursuing nursing diplomas from Nkhoma College of Nursing, Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences and Malawi College of Health Sciences. A total of 251 students were sampled randomly from the three nursing colleges. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire (R-SPQ-2 F) by Biggs. The data was analyzed using chi-square and binary logistic regression. In this study Cronbach’s alpha was 0.6.ResultsMost students had used a deep approach to learning (M = 3.201, SD = 0.623) than the surface approach (M = 2.757, SD = 0.732). Being in the age category of 16–20 had more likelihood of adopting a surface approach to learning compared to other age categories (X2 = 7.669, DF 2, P = .02). Students from Malawi College of Health Sciences were more likely to adopt a surface approach to learning compared to students from Nkhoma Nursing College and Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences (X2 = 12.388, df = 2, P = .002).ConclusionA deep approach to learning emerged as the most preferred approach to learning which indirectly implies that most students attain meaningful learning. Age and environment are some of the key determinants associated with different learning approaches. More attention should be given to younger students during teaching and learning to promote deep learning.

An Examination of the Attitudes and Behaviors of Turkish Doctors and Medical Students towards Emigration

Objective: In this study, it is desired to investigate the attitudes and behaviors of doctors and medical school students towards brain drain. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between the dates of 14.11.2022 – 31.12.2022 at Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University (AFSU). It was made to first-year medical faculty students and AFSU Faculty of Medicine Doctors. The sample of the study consisted of 691 students and 110 doctors. SPSS 26.0 statistical package program was used in the analysis of the data. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis were used. Results: In the study, there are 784 (97.9%) citizens of the Republic of Turkey and 17 (2.1%) foreign nationals. It was observed that 491 (61.3%) of the participants were women and 691 (86.3%) were students. When the opinions of the participants about thinking of working abroad were examined, 429 (53.6%) people stated that they wanted to work, 123 (15.4%) did not want to work, and 249 (31.1%) people were undecided. If you want to practice medicine abroad, would you consider returning? 180 (42%) answered yes, 114 (26.6%) no and 135 (31.5%) undecided. Do you think language exams are an obstacle for you to go abroad? To the question, 628 (78.4%) of the participants answered yes, 99 (12.4% answered no) and 74 (9.2%) stated that they were undecided. 628 (78.4%) answered yes, 99 (12.4%) said no, 74 (9.2%) stated that they were undecided. Conclusions: Higher income, better treatment (Respect, love, understanding,.. ), insecurity , as one of the reasons why doctors want to go abroad. These include working conditions, technologically equipped healthcare systems abroad, travel opportunities, and career and further education opportunities. With the increasing number of staff, Doctors think that their specialty training will be insufficient, and with this thought, doctors want to go abroad. It has been observed that the rate of those who want to practice medicine abroad and the rate of those who want to return when they go are high. It has been determined that the foreign language problem is an important obstacle for brain drain. It can be understood that, due to the high rate of participants being undecided in case of an increase in working wages in Turkey, doctors may give up going if their wages increase.

X Seminario sulla ricerca empirica in educazione: «Il contributo dell’AI alla qualificazione dei processi di istruzione»

10TH SEMINAR ON EMPIRICAL RESEARCH IN EDUCATION: «THE CONTRIBUTION OF AI TO THE QUALIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL PROCESSES» Abstract The 10th scientific Seminar, held in Rome on May 25th, was organized by the «Journal of Educational, Curltural and Psychological Studies» in collaboration with UniCamillus – International University of Health Sciences and investigated the contribution of AI to the educational-cultural qualification of education processes. After a few years of stopping seminar activities due to the pandemic emergency, it was decided to return to talking together about education, training, school and the chosen theme, namely the use of Artificial Intelligence, is currently at the center of interest scientific and beyond.

ALUR TAHAPAN PENGEMBANGAN KOLEKSI PADA PERPUSTAKAAN SEKOLAH TINGGI ILMU KESEHATAN HAMZAR LOMBOK TIMUR, NTB

The purpose of this study was to describe the sequential development of various phases involved in the collection development process at the Hamzar College of Health Sciences (STIKES) Library. Library collection development is an important effort to ensure relevant, contemporary, and user-oriented resources. This study uses a quantitative descriptive method. Data were collected from observations, interviews, and documentation. This study used data presentation and reduction techniques. To validate the data, extensive observations, high persistence, and triangulation were performed. The findings of this study explain the flow process of collection development at STIKES Hamzar, which consists of several different stages, including library analysis, factors that influence collection development, collection acquisition, collection selection, and collection evaluation. These stages were implemented consistently by the STIKES Hamzar Library. Notably, the types of collections that have been developed are limited to print resources. Collection development plays an important role in encouraging regular renewal and optimally contributes to the achievement of academic and research goals

Physical Activity and Lifestyle of Female Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences University of Applied Sciences in Tarnów (Poland)

Introduction: Physical activity is a natural need of every human being, brings significant health benefits, and adapts the body to exertion. Lifestyle is based on conscious choices that affect health. Health-promoting activities such as regular physical activity, healthy and wholesome meals, adequate recovery, and stress reduction in daily life minimize the risk of future behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Physical Activity (PA) and lifestyle of female students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the Tarnow University of Applied Sciences surveyed in February and March 2023. Among other things, the time, frequency, and places of physical activity were investigated, and did the physical activity and lifestyle of female students differ according to the field of study undertaken and between first- and fourth-year physiotherapy students? Methods: The survey was conducted among 167 female students of physiotherapy, physical education, nursing, and cosmetology at the FHS. Using a diagnostic survey, a questionnaire survey was conducted, the research tool was a survey questionnaire of our design, which included questions on physical activity, lifestyle, and sociodemographic data. Results: The results indicate that the female students led active and healthy lifestyles. The vast majority, more than 90%, of the female students surveyed were aware of how physical fitness and their health-promoting activities, as well as knowledge related to these issues, would be important in their future profession. Regarding the field of study and the physical activity undertaken, a statistically significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) was shown, it was the female students from physical education who were the most active among all women. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the chosen field of study influences the declared health-promoting behavior of female students and that the physical activity undertaken and the healthy lifestyle are related to the choice of future profession, while the field of study and the year of the study did not differentiate the lifestyle of female students.

The Development of Principles for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Preclinical Spinal Cord Research: A Modified Delphi Study.

There is currently limited guidance for researchers on Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) for preclinical spinal cord research, leading to uncertainty about design and implementation. This study aimed to develop evidence-informed principles to support preclinical spinal cord researchers to incorporate PPI into their research. This study used a modified Delphi method with the aim of establishing consensus on a set of principles for PPI in spinal cord research. Thirty-eight stakeholders including researchers, clinicians and people living with spinal cord injury took part in the expert panel. Participants were asked to rate their agreement with a series of statements relating to PPI in preclinical spinal cord research over two rounds. As part of Round 2, they were also asked to rate statements as essential or desirable. Thirty-eight statements were included in Round 1, after which five statements were amended and two additional statements were added. After Round 2, consensus (> 75% agreement) was reached for a total of 27 principles, with 13 rated as essential and 14 rated as desirable. The principles with highest agreement related to diversity in representation among PPI contributors, clarity of the purpose of PPI and effective communication. This research developed a previously unavailable set of evidence-informed principles to inform PPI in preclinical spinal cord research. These principles provide guidance for researchers seeking to conduct PPI in preclinical spinal cord research and may also inform PPI in other preclinical disciplines. This study was conducted as part of a project aiming to develop PPI in preclinical spinal cord injury research associated with an ongoing research collaboration funded by the Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust (IRFU CT) and the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research (SFI AMBER), with research conducted by the Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG) at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. The project aims to develop an advanced biomaterials platform for spinal cord repair and includes a PPI Advisory Panel comprising researchers, clinicians and seriously injured rugby players to oversee the work of the project. PPI is included in this study through the involvement of members of the PPI Advisory Panel in the conceptualisation of this research, review of findings, identification of key points for discussion and preparation of the study manuscript as co-authors.

Graduate and Undergraduate Medical Curricula That Address the Needs of People Who Experience Homelessness: A Scoping Review Protocol

Background The impact that increased homelessness has on the healthcare system should be of great concern to medical providers and the institutions that train them. While the demand for medical providers who understand the healthcare needs of homeless individuals is high, traditional medical curricula do not adequately address this. Objectives This scoping review aims to examine published undergraduate and graduate medical curricula that address the healthcare needs of homeless individuals to support the development and evaluation of homeless healthcare curricula globally. Methods This paper will utilise Arksey &amp; O’Malley’s framework for scoping reviews to ensure a systematic scoping review. Research will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) Updated Methodological Guidance for the Conduct of Scoping Reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). Due to financial and time constraints, only articles published after 2000 and written in English will be reviewed. A comprehensive search strategy will be developed that includes searches in PubMed, Scopus, Embase and CINAHL with additional hand-searching of key articles. Each article will be screened independently by two reviewers. A third reviewer will resolve any disagreements. Data extraction will begin with a pre-defined extraction form (Extended Data File 3) and will be subsequently analysed with JBI’s current guidelines on inductive approaches to qualitative content analysis. Conclusion Research findings will be distributed to individuals who oversee the university’s medical curricula at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Discussions will be held to assess opportunities for the implementation/integration of homeless healthcare curricula. Furthermore, these findings will be disseminated globally to healthcare providers and administrators at conferences, hospitals and clinics.

Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy vs needle aspiration in intumescent cataracts: comparative study of complications and outcomes.

To compare the complications and postoperative outcomes of Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy vs a needle aspiration approach for capsulorhexis in patients with intumescent cataracts. University of Health Sciences, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul, Turkey. Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients with intumescent cataract were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (37 eyes) underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy preoperatively, which reduced lens pressure. In Group 2 (31 eyes), the capsulorhexis was completed by reducing the intralenticular pressure by needle aspiration and then gradually expanding the capsule. Demographics, pre/postoperative parameters, complications, and surgical times were analyzed. 68 eyes of 68 patients were evaluated. Age and sex exhibited no significant differences between groups. Group 2 had more complications than Group 1 ( P = .041). Specifically, no capsular tear extensions were seen in Group 1 while 4 patients in Group 2 had tears extending to the lens periphery. Group 1 showed a significant decrease in surgical maneuvers and time ( P = .028) while no significant difference was found in effective phacoemulsification time ( P = .076). Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy effectively prevented capsular extensions and reduced surgical time in intumescent cataracts. This technique provides a safe alternative to traditional methods, potentially reducing intraoperative risks and improving surgical efficiency. The findings support Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy as a viable approach for capsulorhexis in intumescent cataracts, emphasizing its potential benefits in reducing complications and enhancing surgical outcomes.

Molecular Analysis of OCA1 and OCA2 Genes in Sindhi Inbred Families

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the common mutations of (Oculocutaneous albinism) OCA1 and OCA2 genes in Sindhi Inbred Families. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, Pakistan, from October, 2020 to September, 2022. Methods: Forty-four patients of eight families with clinically diagnosed OCA and Ocular albinism (OA) with or without family history were recruited for this study and all affected individuals other than OCA were excluded from the study. A single missense substitution was identified in the OCA1 and OCA2 using PolyPhen 2, Mutation Taster and I-Mutant software. Results: Out of 8 randomly chosen OCA afflicted families, there were two carriers and two affected individuals identified in family III. In exon 4 of the OCA1 gene, a common mutation (homozygous) c.1255 G&gt;A (p.Gly419Arg) was identified. In three-generation pedigree for the albinism family VII was identified, including two affected, one carrier, and two normal people. Participants in this family who carried the 1045-15 T&gt;G mutation in the OCA2 gene were affected. Conclusion: Albinism affected individuals in Pakistan have varying phenotypic and genetic presentations. This is due to the fact that the population of Pakistan and those of Sindhi ancestry are heavily inbred, consanguineous, segregated, and afflicted by hereditary diseases.

Hematological parameters of hypertensive patients in northeast Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

IntroductionHypertension has emerged as a significant public health concern, ranking among the leading causes of mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, it is closely associated with structural and functional alterations in hematopoietic cells. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the hematological parameters of hypertensive patients in Northeast Ethiopia. MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2023, involving 248 participants. This included 124 hypertensive patients and 124 apparently healthy controls selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were obtained following established guidelines. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Wollo University. After obtaining informed consent, approximately 5 ml of venous blood was drawn from each participant for complete blood count and fasting blood glucose analysis, performed using the Mindray BC-3000 Plus hematology analyzer and the DIRUI CS-T240 automated clinical chemistry analyzer, respectively. Data analysis involved independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, correlation tests, and logistic regression. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsThe study found that white blood cell count, platelet count, platelet distribution width, red cell distribution width, and mean platelet volume were significantly higher in hypertensive patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conversely, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the control group than in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Additionally, white blood cells and platelets exhibited a positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), while red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin demonstrated a negative correlation with blood pressure indices and body mass index. Anemia was observed in 20.2 % of hypertensive patients. Notably, an abnormal body mass index (AOR: 3.5, 95 % CI: 1.3–9.6, p = 0.011) and high systolic blood pressure (AOR: 4.6, 95 % CI: 1.3–15.5, p = 0.013) were significantly associated with anemia among hypertensive patients. ConclusionThis study identified significant differences in various hematological parameters between hypertensive patients and the control group. Routine assessments of hematological parameters should be considered to effectively manage hypertension-related complications in hypertensive patients.

Prestimulation parameters predicting the pregnancy outcomes after IVF-ET in patients with unexplained infertility.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) are considered to be the most effective treatment option for unexplained infertility. This study aims to investigate the pregnancy outcomes of women who received in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment for unexplained infertility and the contributing factors affecting these outcomes. The present study included 789 consecutive women with unexplained infertility who were treated with IVF-ET at the ART Clinic of the Health Sciences University, Ankara Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Gynecology Training and Research Hospital between January 2007 and December 2019. The contributing factors affecting these outcomes, such as body mass index (BMI), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and antimullerian hormone (AMH), were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical pregnancy per cycle was 19.8% among patients recruited. No statistically significant difference was detected in terms of age, infertility duration, and BMI of the patients who achieved pregnancy and who failed to get pregnant after IVF-ET treatment. The basal FSH level was found to be significantly lower (p=0.001), and the AMH level was significantly higher in patients who had clinical pregnancy (p=0.001). The basal AMH cut-off value was calculated to be 3.34 ng/mL, and the basal FSH cut-off value was calculated as 7.26 IU/L for the prediction of clinical pregnancy. IVF-ET treatment can be applied as a successful treatment option in unexplained infertility cases. Although the basal FSH and AMH values ​are not the cut-off values that have high sensitivity and specificity, they are considered to be associated with pregnancy rates.

Comparison of Serum Vitamin D Levels Between Asthmatics and Healthy Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background &amp; Objective: Serum vitamin D3 plays a pivotal function not solely in managing mineral homeostasis but also in modulating allergic reactions, cancer and autoimmune diseases. It manages over 200 genes, thus governing cell replication, apoptosis and differentiation. Deficiency of Vitamin D3 in asthmatics is significantly correlated with increased airway sensitivity, impaired pulmonary functions, reduced management of asthma and insensitivity to corticosteroids. This research aimed to determine and compare serum levels of vitamin D3, counts of inflammatory cell, and lung function indices between asthmatics and healthy subjects in Lahore. Methods: This was an observational and cross-sectional study executed at the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, over a 1-year span, involving 60 asthmatic patients as sample and 30 healthy controls. Following a desired clinical assessment, pulmonary function evaluation was conducted using a spirometer, and blood samples were collected for the analysis of inflammatory cell counts and serum levels of vitamin D3. All data were inputted and examined utilizing SPSS version 22. The Kruskal-Wallis test was employed to compare differences in group medians. For Pairwise comparison of groups Mann Whitney U test was applied. A p-value of &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The serum vitamin D3 levels were significantly lower among asthmatics compared to controls. Additionally, all participants, including normal controls, exhibited severe vitamin D3 deficiency. Moreover, asthmatic subjects showed a significant decrease in lung function parameters. Conclusion: The vitamin D3 levels were significantly lower in asthmatics compared to the controls.

Geoelectric Investigation for Groundwater in Imo State University Campus and Environs using Direct Current Electrical Resistivity Method

Eighteen, vertical electrical soundings (VES), were carried out in Imo State University and Environs to delineate the potential site for groundwater. Data were acquired using ABEM SAS 300 resistivity meter. Schlumberger array and maximum electrode spread of 700m were adopted. Data were interpreted with IP2WIN software. Contour maps were done using Sulfer 20 software. Geoelectric cross-sections constructed along three profile lines delineated subsurface stratification. Sediments consist of sequence of sandstone/gravel, silty sand/sand and clay with geology representing the Benin Formation. Groundwater was delineated within the zone interpreted to be sand with quartz making up more than 95% of all grains. Resistivity of aquifer varies across study area and ranges from 159Ωm, observed around Library and Information Department (VES 11) to 100000Ωm recorded at IMSU Plaza (VES 10). Depth to water table also varied across study area with higher values of 150m and 130m observed at College of Health Science (VES 3) and Behind Old ETF (VES 4). A relatively shallow aquifer is delineated behind Senate Building and Okwu-Uratta with water table at depths of 23.5m and 26.5m. The transmissivity values are moderately high except at some locations. The variation in longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance values show that part of the study area such as Aso Rock, Female Hostel, Law Faculty and IMSU Plaza are underlain by relatively resistive (low longitudinal conductance) aquifer material. Distribution of hydraulic conductivity and electrical conductivity values indicates that in some of the VES points, the values are fairly constant. This could be seen as areas with similar geologic settings and water quality. Storativity of study area ranges from 0.00003 at VES 1 and 12 to 0.00028 at VES 4. Study area shows a good prospect for groundwater development, except at Library and Information Department, where the zone delineated is an aquitard.

Personality traits and sporting level of athletes

Background and Study Aim. Personality traits significantly influence athletic performance and the development of athletes. However, these traits vary at different levels of sport. This knowledge gap makes it difficult to effectively tailor training and support programs. Thus, the purpose of this article is to identify differences in the expression of personality traits among professional athletes, competitive athletes, and amateur athletes. Material and Methods. The respondents (N=83) were sport seniors from Poland, aged 23 years, studying at the Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences. They were classified into three groups: 1) n=23 professional athletes; 2) n=30 competitive athletes; and 3) n=30 amateur athletes. The Big Five model was used, and the NEO-FFI personality questionnaire was administered. Analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0, with a statistical significance level set at α = 0.05. Results. Differences in neuroticism intensity among athletes from different sport levels were noted. Professional athletes showed the lowest level of neuroticism. However, no differences were observed in the intensity of individual personality traits among athletes by gender. Furthermore, correlations were noted between sport level and athletes’ personality traits: neuroticism (strong and negative), extraversion (weak and positive), and conscientiousness (weak and positive). Conclusions. Findings underscore the importance of considering personality traits when developing tailored training and support programs for athletes. The absence of gender differences in personality traits suggests that such programs can be designed without gender-specific adjustments. The identified correlations between sport level and personality traits provide valuable insights for coaches and sport psychologists to better understand and support athletes' psychological profiles.