Independent Samples Research Articles

Obesity Does Not Negatively Affect Patient-perceived Outcomes After Cervical Disc Replacement for Disc Herniation.

Retrospective review. To assess the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after cervical disc replacement (CDR). BMI may affect PROMs after spine surgery. Primary CDR recipients for herniated disc(s) with BMI <40 were retrospectively selected from a single-surgeon registry. Cohorts were divided into non-obese (BMI <30) and obese (BMI ≥30). Intercohort in-hospital complication rates were compared through independent samples t tests. Pre/postoperative PROMs were compared between cohorts through multivariable regression accounting for demographic differences. Final follow-up dates between patients averaged 11.8 ± 9.3 months. PROMs assessed included Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Physical Function, Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale-Neck, Visual Analog Scale-Arm, and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Improvements in PROMs were evaluated and compared at each follow-up within cohorts through paired t tests. The magnitude of improvement in PROMs from preoperative baseline at 6-week follow-up (∆PROM-6W) and final follow-up (∆PROM-FF) along with achievement rates of minimum clinically important differences were compared between cohorts through multivariable regression accounting for demographic differences. Of 153 patients, 53 patients were noted as obese. Demographic differences included age, prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and comorbidity burden scores ( P ≤ 0.011, all). No significant variations in in-hospital complications were found. The non-obese cohort demonstrated improvements in all PROMs at 6 weeks and final follow-up periods ( P ≤ 0.005, all). The obese cohort demonstrated improvements in all postoperative PROMs besides 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire at 6 weeks ( P ≤ 0.015, all). After accounting for age and comorbidity variations, there were no significant intercohort differences in raw PROM scores, ∆PROM-6W, ∆PROM-FF, or minimum clinically important difference achievement rates. Regardless of BMI, patients experience significant improvements in physical function, disability, pain, and mental health after CDR for disc herniation. Patients with obesity do not suffer inferior patient-perceived outcomes after CDR. These findings may help surgeons counsel patients in the preoperative period.

Vulnerability to semantic and phonological interference in normal aging and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).

To determine whether the increased vulnerability to semantic interference previously observed in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is specifically associated with semantic material or if it also affects other types of material, suggesting generalized executive and inhibitory impairment. Seventy-two participants divided into two groups (33 aMCI, 39 normal control [NC]) matched for age and education were included. They completed a comprehensive neuropsychological examination, the French version of the Loewenstein Acevedo Scale for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L; semantic interference test), and a homologous experimental phonological test, the phonological interference and learning test. Independent sample t tests, mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on memory and interference scores were conducted to compare memory and interference in both conditions for both groups. For memory scores, results revealed significant main effects of group (NC > aMCI) and condition (semantic > phonological) and significant interactions (poorer performance in the semantic condition for aMCI). aMCI committed more phonological false recognition errors, were disproportionately more vulnerable to retroactive semantic interference, and showed a higher percentage of intrusion errors associated with proactive semantic interference than NC. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare vulnerability to interference in aMCI and normal aging with two similarly designed semantic and phonological word list learning tasks. Taken together, our results suggest that aMCI present with broad difficulties in source memory and inhibition, but that impaired deep semantic processing results in additional semantic intrusion errors during proactive interference and impacts their ability to show good recall after an interference list (greater semantic retroactive interference). Results are discussed according to the level-of-processing and activation/monitoring theories. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Comparative analysis of learning management systems usage among tertiary students in Ghana

The objective of this study was to employ the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model to compare the differences in learning management systems (LMSs) usage by age, gender, and institution type among tertiary students in Ghana. The research used a survey design to collect quantitative data for the study. Multi-stage sampling was used to sample 476 tertiary students from three categories of tertiary institutions: public universities, technical universities, and colleges of education. Questionnaires were employed as a means of data collection and the data were analyzed using ANOVA, independent sample t-test, and post-hoc analysis. The results indicate that there is a statistically significant difference in performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and behavioral intention between the groups of tertiary institution users of LMS. The study concluded that the usage and acceptance rate of LMS among tertiary students was moderate. This work is a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge. Thus, providing empirical data on the comparative analysis of LMS usage among Ghanaian tertiary students that has implication for policy and practice. The study recommends that tertiary institutions should develop policies governing the usage of LMS across their various campuses.

Oxygen uptake efficiency slope in 8- to 12-year-old boys and girls.

Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is an objective physiological measure that can be obtained from a standard graded exercise test. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding sex differences in OUES values in children. Therefore, this study investigated potential sex differences in absolute, ratio-scaled, and allometrically scaled OUES in 8.0- to 12.0-year-old children. Retrospective and prospective data of 18 boys and 22 girls were utilized. All participants had undergone familiarization before performing a maximal cycle ergometer test to determine OUES. These values were also ratio-scaled and allometrically scaled to mass and body surface area (BSA). Group differences were tested via independent sample t-tests (or Mann-Whitney U if not normally distributed). Absolute OUES values (VO<inf>2</inf> mL∙min-1/log<inf>10</inf>VE L∙min-1) were significantly higher in boys compared to girls (1860.8±359.3 vs. 1514.3±212.6). When scaled to mass (VO<inf>2</inf> mL∙kg-1∙min-1/log<inf>10</inf>VE L∙kg-1∙min-1), OUES was no longer significantly different between groups, but when scaled to BSA (VO<inf>2</inf> mL∙m-2∙min-1/log<inf>10</inf>VE L∙m-2∙min-1), OUES was significantly higher in the boys than the girls (1414.4±204.2 vs. 1268.9±134.6). When allometry was applied for mass (OUES/mass0.444) boys had significantly higher value than girls (350.8±46.7 vs. 305.0±31.5). The present study demonstrated that boys had greater OUES values scaled to BSA and allometrically scaled to body mass. These findings provide further evidence of sex differences with OUES values in preadolescent children and implies the need for sex-specific reference values prior to using OUES for the assessment of cardiorespiratory pathology in children.

Implications of the Offshore Oil &amp; Gas Working Environment on Mental Health and Performance of Workers

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of the site location on the relationship between the Oil and Gas working environment’s psychosocial hazards, mental health disorders and workers’ Performance. Quantitative methods and deductive approaches have been used. The study’s population was Egyptian Oil &amp; Gas workers, and the study sample included 409 participants. The collected data were statistically analyzed using descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results indicated a high levels of psychosocial hazards in the Oil &amp; Gas working environment, where isolation, remoteness and adverse living conditions significantly depicted the highest levels. The presence of mental health disorders was confirmed by screening Depression, Stress and Anxiety among the study sample, where most responses indicated difficulties in their abilities to overcome. Further, the results showed an average level of performance with a noticeably low levels in contextual performance aspects. The study concluded that performance in the offshore Oil &amp; Gas industry is not entirely a functional pattern but can also be influenced by the working environment, where the moderating effect of the site location of the Oil &amp; Gas working environment on workers’ mental health disorders could eventually compromise their performance levels, ultimately harming the interest and sustainability of this vital sector.

Examining the Relationship Between Individual Innovativeness and Positive Future Expectation Levels of Physical Education Teacher Candidates

This study aimed to examine the effect of teacher candidates' individual innovativeness levels on their positive future expectations. A total of 412 teacher candidates, 194 women and 218 men, studying at sports science faculties of universities in Ankara, participated in the research. “Personal Information Form”, “Individual Innovativeness Scale” and “Positive Future Expectation Scale” were used in the data collection process. During the data analysis phase, Independent Samples T test, One Way ANOVA analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis were used in the SPSS 25.0 program. The research found that the individual innovativeness levels and positive future expectations of the teacher candidates were above the medium level. It was found that the individual innovativeness levels and positive expectations of teacher candidates differ according to the type of university (public, private) and the class they study in (p &lt;0.05). It was observed that there was a positive relationship between the individual innovativeness level and positive future expectation among the teacher candidates participating in the research (p&lt;0.05), and it was also determined that the individual innovativeness level positively affected the positive future expectation (pz0.05). As a result, it can be said that the high level of individual innovativeness in teacher candidates is a factor that increases positive future expectations.

Comparing and Analyzing the Physical and Functional Concerns of Post Breast Cancer Surgery Patients Who Received Physical Therapy for Lymphedema After Surgery to Those Who Did Not Receive Physical Therapy After Surgery

Objective: This pilot research project examined the physical and functional concerns of patients who had breast cancer surgery followed by receiving skilled physical therapy or lymphedema therapy services for more than or less than three months. Methods: This research study utilized the Qualtrics system to create a survey for the participants to complete. After completing the survey, the researchers divided the participants into two groups. The researchers analyzed the data using SPSS to run independent sample t-tests. Results: The study results show no significant difference in limb size and self-care activities between the two groups who received physical therapy.

Role of Non-verbal Communication Skills of Teachers and its Impact on Achieving Classroom Learning Objectives at Secondary Level

This descriptive study intends to investigate the influence of a teacher’s nonverbal communication on classroom learning objectives using a descriptive technique. This also determined the association between the unspoken behaviours of teachers working in various educational systems. The main objective of the research is to understand how non-verbal communication skills, including facial expressions, eye contact, pitch of voice, and physical appearance, collectively contribute to achieving classroom learning objectives. The quantitative survey method was used to present the study. This research was descriptive in nature. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was developed for data collection. This questionnaire was administered to a sample of 400 respondents who were randomly selected from 40 public and private secondary schools in Multan. Using SPSS software, the acquired data was tabulated and evaluated. The collected data was tabulated, analysed, and interpreted in the form of mean, frequency, percentage, and standard deviation. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to arrive at the conclusions. Frequencies and percentages were computed to illustrate the demographic items and questions, and one-way ANOVA and the independent sample t-test were utilized to illustrate the variations in teacher perspectives depending on various factors related to demographics.

The Effects of Flipped Classroom Model on Academic Achievement, Academic Motivation and Cognitive Absorption

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of flipped classroom model on academic achievement, academic motivation and cognitive absorption. The study was conducted with a group of 68 freshman students studying at a vocational school’s “Computer Programming” department in the 2019-2020 academic year. A quasi-experimental framework with pre-test/post-test was employed in the research and the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. In the experimental group (n=38), flipped classroom model was utilized and in the control group (n=30), the traditional classroom model was employed. The experimental process of the study continued for 5 weeks, 4 weeks of training and 1 week of orientation. Demographic Information Form, Academic Achievement Test, Academic Motivation Scale and Cognitive Absorption Scale were used for data collection. To analyze the data, Independent Samples T-Test, Paired Sample T-Test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, Spearman Correlation and Mann-Whitney U Tests were used. The findings showed that the experimental group had higher levels of academic achievement compared to the control group. Besides, it was found that there is no discrepancy between in-group and intergroup academic motivation. Although the pre- and post-test results of the experimental group students, who took cognitive absorption scale, did not show a statistically significant difference, the results indicate a modest level of connection between cognitive absorption and academic motivation.

Clinical Manifestations of Runny nose among Patients Attending Baqubah Teaching Hospital

Background: The runny nose refers to a discharge (fluid) coming from the nasal passages.Runny nose is associated with inflammation and swelling (congestion) of the inner lining of the nasal passages and sinuses. May associated with atopic condition the patient complain from nasal obstruction, runny nose, episode of sneezing, and nasal pruritis. Objective: To examine the demographic distribution, clinical features, and age disparities among male and female patients with Runny nose (Rhinorrhea). Patients and Methods: A study was done on 100 AR patients at Baqubah Teaching Hospital. Information on demographics, clinical symptoms, and age variations between males and females were gathered and examined through the use of descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests. Results: The Findings revealed that most of the subjects were women (56%) and homemakers (38%), with an average age of 29.73 years. Frequent symptoms comprised of sneezing (93%), runny nose (83%), itchy nose (74%), and stuffy nose (92%). There was no notable variation in age between males and females (p = 0.139). Conclusion: Clinical symptoms of runny nose are often recognized consist of rhinorrhea, sneezing, obstruction of the nasal passages with lacrimation and pruritus of the nasal mucosa, conjunctiva and oropharynx with history of allergic rhinitis. Conditions commonly associated with allergic rhinitis include asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis. Long standing disease can lead to mucosa remodeling, atrophic skin changes, nasal infection and overall increased morbidity. Keywords: Runny nose, nasal obstractions , nasal pruritis, stuffy nose

Adoption of post-harvest practices and their influencing factors: A study of ginger growers in Syangja, Nepal

Proper ginger post-harvest practices enhance quality, extend shelf life, and ameliorate market access. Prioritizing post-harvest practices in ginger can tremendously increase the market value of ginger in Nepal. Nevertheless, this cannot be done without thorough understanding about the current adoption of post-harvest practices among farmers. So, this study was carried out to know the status of adoption of post-harvest practices in ginger, examine factors associated with adoption, identify and rank major constraints of adoption. The collection of primary data involved 80 ginger growers chosen randomly from altogether 6 wards in Galyang, Waling, and Chapakot municipalities. Data entry and analysis were performed using two software: MS Excel 2021 and SPSS Version 27. The adoption status of ginger post-harvest practices was assessed and quantified using frequency distribution. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between adoption and membership (5%), extension (1%) and training (1%). However, the association between demographic factors like age, gender, education level, experiences in ginger cultivation, and the adoption of post-harvest practices in ginger was statistically non-significant. Moreover, an independent sample t-test and indexing technique were employed. Average adoption index was computed based on which high and low adopters were categorized. Notable advantages emerged for high adopters as they cultivated ginger in larger areas (p &lt; 0.01) and gained higher economic returns (p &lt; 0.05). Five constraints regarding the adoption were ranked through indexing, where a poor marketing system had the highest index value of 0.83, followed by the unavailability of improved processing technologies. In contrast, labor crisis was the least ranked constraint. This study concluded that farmers still follow the traditional methods of ginger post-harvest practices, denoting significant potential for improvement. Thus, offering impactful trainings and support to farmers in line with their recommendations can be the pivotal step towards enhancing the post-harvest practices in ginger sector in Syangja district.

Impact of National Lockdown Measures on the Association Between Social Media Use and Sleep Disturbance During COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis of 21 Nations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the extensive lockdown measures implemented for disease mitigation triggered a surge in round-the-clock social media use, giving rise to widespread concerns regarding its impact on sleep health. This meta-analysis examined the association between social media use and sleep disturbance during the pandemic, along with potential moderators. The dataset included 43 independent samples comprising 68,247 residents of 21 countries across 7 world regions. The three-level mixed-effects meta-analysis revealed a weak, positive overall effect size (r = 0.1296, 95% confidence interval: 0.0764-0.1828, k = 90). The magnitude of the effect size varied by the type of social media use: compulsive use exhibited a moderately strong effect size, whereas information-focused use showed marginal significance. The effect size was more pronounced in countries imposing stricter (vs. less strict) lockdown measures. Lockdown status also moderated this association, with a marginally significant effect size observed during lockdowns but a significant effect size after lockdowns. For demographics, samples involving emerging adults demonstrated moderately strong effect sizes, whereas those involving the general population had modest effect sizes. Notably, the interaction between the type of social media use and lockdown status was significant. Specifically, the positive association with information-focused use was significant only during lockdowns, whereas that with general use was significant after, but not during, lockdowns. However, compulsive use showed a moderately strong effect size both during and after lockdowns. These findings underscored the importance of considering multiple factors-such as the type of social media use, context, and demographics-when studying social media use and sleep health.

Dynamics of Perceived Stress, Stress Appraisal, and Coping Strategies in an Evolving Educational Landscape

In the evolving landscape of education, college teachers often find themselves at the crossroads of myriad stressors, ranging from institutional demands to personal challenges. Understanding the factors that influence their stress perceptions and coping mechanisms is pivotal, not just for their well-being, but also for the overall quality of education imparted. This study sought to investigate the intricate relationships between gender, marital status, institutional affiliation, and their collective impacts on perceived stress, stress appraisal, and coping strategies among college teachers. A sample of 300 college teachers, evenly split with reference to gender, was engaged. Employing tools including Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM), and Brief COPE, the analysis of the study used independent samples t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation to derive insights. Findings revealed pronounced gender disparities in stress perception and appraisal, with women teachers manifesting heightened levels. Marital status emerged as a significant modulator of stress and coping, with married teachers depicting nuanced stress and its appraisal with reported coping strategies compared to their unmarried peers. Furthermore, a significant variance in perceived stress and coping was observed between teachers of private and governmental institutions, with private institution teachers displaying elevated stress levels. The study underscores the multifaceted nature of stress experiences among college teachers in Pakistan, influenced by a blend of personal and institutional determinants. These insights are pivotal for institutions aiming to enhance the well-being and effectiveness of their teachers. However, given the specific cultural context of the study, there is an imperative for more global, comparative research, ensuring holistic support mechanisms for teachers worldwide.

Parametric Stochastic Frontier Approach To Measure Efficiency Pre-And-Post-Merger Bank Syariah Indonesia

This research analyses the efficiency of pre-and-post-merger Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI). This research used a descriptive quantitative analysis method. The population in this research is Islamic banks, which were merged into BSI. The sampling technique was carried out using saturated samples, resulting in the merged of three Islamic Banks, namely Bank Syariah Mandiri (BSM), Bank Negara Indonesia Syariah (BNIS), Bank Rakyat Indonesia Syariah (BRIS), to become BSI. The data used is secondary data in the form of quarterly financial reports for 2019-2022. The research focused on input variables such as total fixed assets, third-party funds, operating costs, and financing. The data analysis techniques used to measure the efficiency of Islamic banks are the Econometric Model (Single Equation Model), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), and Independent Sample t-test. The result showed that pre-merger, the total fixed asset, total third-party funds, and operating cost as the input variables of the three Islamic Banks were optimal for generating financing. Therefore, the total assets, total third-party funds, and operating costs produced a more optimal impact on the distribution of total financing. It is shown that BSI, both pre-and-post-merger, has generally been efficient in its operational activities. The results of this research complement the theory related to the efficiency level of Islamic banks in terms of the amount of financing as measured by fixed assets, total third-party funds, and operational costs. Practically, the results of this research can be a reference for banks, especially Islamic banks, that will carry out mergers to measure their efficiency level.

Exploring the relationship between spiritual care and patient advocacy of nurses from generations X, Y and Z working in intensive care clinics: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between spiritual care and patient advocacy across three generations of nurses working in intensive care units. DesignCross-sectional survey. MethodsData collection took place from July to August 2022 with 120 nurses in Turkey. Data collection tools included the Spiritual Caregiving Competency Scale, the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Assessment Scale, and the Patient Advocacy Scale for Nurses. Data on nurses’ demographics were evaluated using descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation). Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationships between variables, with results reported as 95% confidence intervals (CI). ResultsMore than half of the nurses were from Generation Y (39.2 %) and Generation Z (42.5 %). Generation Z’s mean patient advocacy score (156.96 ± 23.16) was statistically significantly higher than Generation X’s (139.32 ± 34.26). We determined that the spiritual competence scale communication sub-dimension score of Generation Y nurses working between 1–10 years was higher than that of Generation Z nurses. Additionally, as the patient advocacy scores of all generations increased, so did spiritual competence scores. ConclusionThe study found differences in patient advocacy and spiritual care competencies between generations. Thus, we recommend organizing courses, seminars, and in-service training on patient advocacy and spiritual care for intensive care nurses. Implications for clinical practiceThis study estimates nurses’ spiritual care competencies and patient advocacy levels from different generations and sheds light on the literature to eliminate differences in care between generations in nursing practices that evolve and change over time. It is recommended that courses, seminars, in-service training, spiritual activities, and interactive meetings be organized to encourage the participation of intensive care nurses to minimize the differences in spiritual care and patient advocacy among all generations of intensive care nurses.

Innovation Learning with POE: Improve Understanding Student to Equality Square

Purpose of the study: This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using Predict, Observe, Explain (POE) worksheets in improving students' understanding of quadratic equations. Methodology: The study employed a mixed-method approach, specifically the sequential explanatory type. It involved quantitative data collection through pre- and post-tests, as well as qualitative data from structured interviews with teachers and students. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests Main Findings: This study presents several significant main findings. Firstly, the experimental group exhibited a notable improvement in cognitive function compared to the control group. Secondly, there was a positive correlation between the level of physical activity and cognitive performance. Lastly, regular physical exercise was associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline in older adults. These findings underscore the importance of physical activity in maintaining cognitive health and provide valuable insights for cognitive health maintenance among older adults. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study introduces evidence supporting the link between physical activity and cognitive function in older adults, providing insights into effective strategies for mitigating cognitive decline through exercise interventions. The findings contribute to existing knowledge by emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors in preserving cognitive health.

Testing the Spillover Effect of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization on Emotionally Abusive and Harsh Parenting Practices: The Application of Propensity Score Matching.

Prior research reported a significant association between intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and negative parenting, but there was an overreliance on U.S. samples and families from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. Therefore, this quasi-experimental study examined the association between recent IPV victimization and abusive parenting practices in a sample of community-based women from Poland. Participants were mothers of children aged 2 to 5 years (N = 610) attending an outpatient clinic located in a city in south-eastern Poland. Mothers were asked about their IPV experiences in the past 12 months and were classed as either IPV positive or IPV negative. Outcome measures assessed emotionally abusive and harsh parenting practices. All data were collected online. To reduce bias in background characteristics (i.e., age, education, employment status, financial distress, self-esteem, childhood violence history, alcohol problems, current mental distress, social support, exposure to COVID-19-pandemic-related stressors, and child sex), we applied the propensity score matching (PSM) technique. Group differences before and after matching were examined using independent samples t-tests. Prematching analyses revealed that IPV-positive mothers used significantly more emotionally abusive and harsh parenting practices than IPV-negative mothers. However, the two samples differed substantially on six background characteristics which are known risk factors for IPV and child maltreatment (financial distress, self-esteem, childhood violence history, current mental distress, social support, and exposure to COVID-19-pandemic-related stressors). PSM was successful in reducing those imbalances. Postmatching group comparisons were statistically nonsignificant for emotionally abusive and harsh parenting, disproving the spillover hypothesis. We conclude that IPV victimization is not related to emotionally abusive and harsh parenting practices when controlling for confounding variables.

Relationship between Stigma, Psychological Flexibility, Positive and Negative Affect in Patients with Epilepsy

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that significantly impacts the daily lives of individuals, leading to psychological, social, and cognitive challenges. Despite advancements in its management, stigma remains a substantial issue for epilepsy patients. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stigma, psychological flexibility, and positive and negative affect in patients with epilepsy. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 200 participants, with 100 epilepsy patients and 100 healthy individuals, aged 18 to 45 years, from four major cities in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected using convenience sampling. The instruments used were the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) inventory (epilepsy version), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics summarized the demographic and clinical characteristics, and independent samples t-tests were used to compare the groups. Results: Epilepsy patients had significantly higher levels of internalized stigma (ISMI total score: 84.05 ± 11.77) compared to healthy individuals (52.79 ± 13.67), t(198) = 17.33, p &lt; 0.01. They also exhibited lower psychological flexibility (AAQ-II score: 39.23 ± 8.92 vs. 26.04 ± 10.07), t(198) = 9.81, p &lt; 0.01, and higher cognitive fusion (CFQ score: 39.62 ± 9.19 vs. 27.56 ± 10.44), t(198) = 8.67, p &lt; 0.01. Positive affect was lower in epilepsy patients (12.58 ± 4.13) compared to healthy individuals (15.30 ± 4.08), t(198) = 4.68, p &lt; 0.01, while negative affect was higher (19.97 ± 4.51 vs. 14.89 ± 4.69), t(198) = -7.81, p &lt; 0.01. Conclusion: The study demonstrated significant relationships between stigma, psychological flexibility, and affect in epilepsy patients. Addressing these factors is crucial for improving the psychological well-being and quality of life for individuals with epilepsy.

The neurophysiological brain-fingerprint of Parkinson’s disease

Research in healthy young adults shows that characteristic patterns of brain activity define individual "brain-fingerprints" that are unique to each person. However, variability in these brain-fingerprints increases in individuals with neurological conditions, challenging the clinical relevance and potential impact of the approach. Our study shows that brain-fingerprints derived from neurophysiological brain activity are associated with pathophysiological and clinical traits of individual patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We created brain-fingerprints from task-free brain activity recorded through magnetoencephalography in 79 PD patients and compared them with those from two independent samples of age-matched healthy controls (N=424 total). We decomposed brain activity into arrhythmic and rhythmic components, defining distinct brain-fingerprints for each type from recording durations of up to 4min and as short as 30s. The arrhythmic spectral components of cortical activity in patients with Parkinson's disease are more variable over short periods, challenging the definition of a reliable brain-fingerprint. However, by isolating the rhythmic components of cortical activity, we derived brain-fingerprints that distinguished between patients and healthy controls with about 90% accuracy. The most prominent cortical features of the resulting Parkinson's brain-fingerprint are mapped to polyrhythmic activity in unimodal sensorimotor regions. Leveraging these features, we also demonstrate that Parkinson's symptom laterality can be decoded directly from cortical neurophysiological activity. Furthermore, our study reveals that the cortical topography of the Parkinson's brain-fingerprint aligns with that of neurotransmitter systems affected by the disease's pathophysiology. The increased moment-to-moment variability of arrhythmic brain-fingerprints challenges patient differentiation and explains previously published results. We outline patient-specific rhythmic brain signaling features that provide insights into both the neurophysiological signature and symptom laterality of Parkinson's disease. Thus, the proposed definition of a rhythmic brain-fingerprint of Parkinson's disease may contribute to novel, refined approaches to patient stratification. Symmetrically, we discuss how rhythmic brain-fingerprints may contribute to the improved identification and testing of therapeutic neurostimulation targets. Data collection and sharing for this project was provided by the Quebec Parkinson Network (QPN), the Pre-symptomatic Evaluation of Novel or Experimental Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease (PREVENT-AD; release 6.0) program, the Cambridge Centre for Aging Neuroscience (Cam-CAN), and the Open MEG Archives (OMEGA). The QPN is funded by a grant from Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS). PREVENT-AD was launched in 2011 as a $13.5 million, 7-year public-private partnership using funds provided by McGill University, the FRQS, an unrestricted research grant from Pfizer Canada, the Levesque Foundation, the Douglas Hospital Research Centre and Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Canada Fund for Innovation. The Brainstorm project is supported by funding to SB from the NIH (R01-EB026299-05). Further funding to SB for this study included a Discovery grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada of Canada (436355-13), and the CIHR Canada research Chair in Neural Dynamics of Brain Systems (CRC-2017-00311).

A Novel Infrapatellar Fat Pad Preservation Technique in Total Knee Arthroplasty Reduced Postoperative Pain and Wound Complications.

The management of the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate a novel IPFP preservation technique-"the medially pedicled IPFP flap"-for reducing postoperative pain, wound complications, and improving functional recovery after TKA. A retrospective analysis was conducted on TKA cases at our institution from 2018 to 2021, including those with IPFP preservation (medially pedicled flap) versus IPFP complete resection. Patient demographics, perioperative parameters (blood loss, operative time, length of hospital stay, visual analogue scale [VAS] score, white cell count [WBC], C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], and wound oozing), and postoperative follow-up data (VAS, Knee Society [KSS], or Knee Society functional assessment [KSFA] scores) were compared between groups. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare continuous data and chi-squared tests were used to compare categorical data between groups. Six hundred thirty patients were included, with 278 in the medial pedicled IPFP flap group (preservation group) and 352 in the IPFP resection group (resection group). The operative time was significantly shorter in the preservation versus resection group (125.5 ± 23.2 vs 130.3 ± 28.7 mins, p = 0.03), as was the length of hospital stay (8.4 ± 2.7 vs 9.2 ± 2.3 days, p < 0.01). Regarding pain, the preservation group had significantly lower VAS scores on postoperative day 2 (2.0 ± 0.8 vs 2.4 ± 1.2, p < 0.001) and day 3 (1.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.8 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). CRP and ESR levels on postoperative day 5 were also significantly lower in the preservation group. Wound oozing rates were significantly lower in the preservation versus resection group (0.7% vs 2.8%, p = 0.04). No significant differences existed in VAS, KSS, or KSFA scores at the last follow-up. The novel IPFP preservation technique significantly improved surgical exposure, shortened operative time and length of hospital stay. It also reduced wound pain and oozing compared to IPFP resection.