Group Level Research Articles

Effect of nano-silver coated catheter combined with comprehensive care on postoperative infection and rehabilitation in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an effective treatment method for coronary atherosclerosis, aiming to improve patients’ quality of life and facilitate their return to normal activities after surgery. This study examines the effects of comprehensive nursing intervention and application of nano-silver coated catheter on postoperative infection and rehabilitation among patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. The study included 72 patients, randomly assigned into an intervention group and a control group, with 36 patients in each. The control group received standard care, while the intervention group received comprehensive care along with postoperative application of nano-silver coated catheter. The study compared various factors, including the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, quality of life score, postoperative recovery, postoperative infection, satisfaction, and adverse reactions between the two groups. The intervention group exhibited better scores in HAMD, HAMA, PSQI and quality of survival score when compared to the control group. Moreover, the intervention group experienced an earlier time to first bowel movement and first defecation after surgery. The intervention group also demonstrated lower rates of urinary protein detection, pathogen detection, and serum inflammatory factor levels compared to the control group. Additionally, the overall incidence of complications in the control group was higher at 27.8% compared to 8.3% in the intervention group. Furthermore, the satisfaction level in the intervention group was significantly higher at 97.2%, in contrast to 83.3% in the control group. Overall, comprehensive care combined with the postoperative application of a nano-silver coated catheter can effectively address patients’ emotional needs and accelerate recovery. It also reduces the incidence of infection, ultimately enhancing the quality of life and satisfaction levels among patients. This study provides a good nursing plan for the postoperative recovery of CABG patients, which is conducive to promoting the speed of postoperative recovery and improving the quality of life of patients.

Developmental toxicity of short-chain chlorinated paraffins on early-stage chicken embryos in a shell-less (ex-ovo) incubation system

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are listed as a category of globally controlled persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention in 2017. However, SCCP toxicity, particularly their developmental toxicity in avian embryos, has not been well studied. In this study, we observed the early development of chicken embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus) by applying a shell-less (ex-ovo) incubation system developed in our previous studies. After exposing embryos at Hamburger Hamilton stage (HHS) 1 to SCCPs (control, 0.1% DMSO; SCCPs-L, 200 ng/g; SCCPs-M, 2000 ng/g; SCCPs-H, 20,000 ng/g), we observed the development of embryos from the 3rd to 9th incubation day. Exposure to SCCPs-M and -H induced a significant reduction in survival, with an LD50 of 3100 ng/g on the 9th incubation day. Significant dose-dependent decreases in body length were observed from days 4–9. We also found that SCCPs-H decreased the blood vessel length and branch number on the 4th incubation day. Additionally, SCCPs-H significantly reduced the heart rate on the 4th and 5th incubation days. These findings suggest that SCCPs may have potential of developmental and cardiovascular toxicity during the early stages of chicken embryos. Quantitative PCR of the mRNA of genes related to embryonic development showed that SLC16A10 (a triiodothyronine transporter) level decreased in the SCCPs-H group, showing a significant positive correlation with the body length of embryos. THRA level, a thyroid hormone receptor, was significantly decreased in the SCCPs-H group, whereas that of DIO3 level, a deiodinase was significantly increased. These results suggest that SCCPs exposure induces developmental delays via the thyroxine signaling pathway. Analysis of thyroid hormones (THs) in blood plasma also indicated a significant reduction in thyroxine (T4) levels in the SCCPs-H group on the 9th incubation day of embryos. In conclusion, SCCPs induce developmental toxicity by disrupting thyroid functions at the early-life stage of chicken embryos.

Preventive effect of kiwi berry (Actinidia arguta) on loperamide-induced constipation

Constipation is a common intestinal disease. Kiwi berries can effectively prevent constipation. However, studies have yet to be done to determine how kiwi berries prevent constipation. For 2 weeks, mice in this study were continually orally gavaged with kiwi berry, loperamide, or a combination of the two. This study found that the kiwi group's feces had more water than the constipated mice. In addition, kiwi berries can speed up gastrointestinal transit (GI), shorten the time it takes to pass the first dark stool, and dramatically enhance body weight gain. In the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) cells and colon tissues, alterations in the protein expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), and aquaporin-3 (AQP3) were found. At 3, 6, and 12 h of ICC cells and mouse colon, the kiwi group’s VIP, cAMP, PKA, and AQP3 protein expression levels were lower than those of the constipated mice. The kiwi berry can decrease the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and boost the diversity and quantity of gut microbiota. By influencing the gut microbiota and VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway, kiwi berries prevent constipation.

Who Wants To Share? Attitudes Towards Horizontal Redistribution Across the Globe

While recent literature has extensively addressed inequalities between households or individuals, known as “vertical inequalities,” there remains a dearth of research on socio‐economic disparities among culturally defined groups, termed “horizontal inequalities” (HIs). In diverse societies, addressing such group disparities is imperative to promote economic efficiency, political stability, and social cohesion. This thematic issue investigates the level of public support for HI‐correcting policies across nine contexts: Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Malaysia, Kenya, Western Balkans, India, the United States, and Northern Ireland. The articles within this issue collectively identify and analyze crucial factors at the individual, group, and national levels. In this editorial, we summarize major findings, reflecting on the salience of group identity across majority and minority contexts, the role of perceptions vs more objective measures of inequality and its causes, and the significance of shifting political climates and societal discourses.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcer Related Amputation: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its sequelae has been on the rise, and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation globally. The rising occurrence and financial burden associated with DFU necessitate improved clinical assessment and treatment. Diabetes has been found to enhance the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) by neutrophils, and excessive NETs have been implicated in tissue damage and impaired wound healing. However, there is as yet insufficient evidence to clarify the value of NETs in assessing and predicting outcomes of DFU. We designed this prospective study with three cohorts formed from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with DFU (n = 200), newly diagnosed T2DM patients (n = 42), and healthy donors (n = 38). Serum levels of NETs were detected for all groups, and the prognostic value for DFU-related amputation was analyzed. The results showed that serum NET levels of the DFU group were significantly higher than in the T2DM group (P < 0.05), which also had significantly elevated serum NET levels compared to healthy donors (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression showed that serum NET levels, diabetic foot surgical history, and Wagner grade were the risk factors for amputation (P < 0.05), and these three variables also exhibited the highest coefficient values in additional Lasso Cox regression. For patients with DFU, Kaplan-Meier curves showed that high serum NET levels associated with higher amputation probability (HR = 0.19, P < 0.01) and ROC curve based on NET value showed good validity for amputation (AUC: 0.727, CI 0.651-0.803). Elevated serum NET levels serve as an easily accessible serological prognostic marker for assessing the risk of DFU-related amputation, thereby offering evaluation metrics for healthcare providers. Further investigations are necessary to understand the mechanisms driving this relationship.

Human epididymal protein 4 and its combined detection show good diagnostic value in lung cancer: A retrospective study.

This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of human epididymal protein 4 (HE4), a potential novel biomarker for lung cancer, and its combined detection with five other conventional biomarkers in lung cancer diagnosis and subtyping. In this retrospective study, 115 lung cancer patients, 50 patients with benign pulmonary disease, and 50 healthy controls were included. Serum HE4, progastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were analyzed using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and chemiluminescence immunoassay. The receiver operating characteristic curve was performed to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of individual biomarkers in identifying both lung cancer and its histologic subtypes. All six biomarkers showed significantly elevated levels in the lung cancer group compared to both benign pulmonary disease and control groups (P < 0.05). Among the biomarkers evaluated, HE4 exhibited the highest diagnostic performance for lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, and lung squamous cell carcinoma with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.921, 0.891, and 0.937, respectively. ProGRP was the optimal biomarker for small cell lung cancer with an AUC of 0.973. The combination of all six biomarkers yielded the largest AUCs in the diagnosis of lung cancer subtypes (0.937 for lung adenocarcinoma, 0.998 for lung squamous cell carcinoma, and 0.985 for small cell lung cancer). Furthermore, specific combinations, such as HE4 + CEA, HE4 + SCC, and ProGRP + HE4 + NSE, showed strong diagnostic performance in lung cancer. HE4 and its combined detection held substantial clinical significance in the diagnosis of lung cancer and its histologic subtyping, especially for lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Effectiveness of aerobic training with blood flow restriction and ischemic preconditioning on anaerobic performance

The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of aerobic training (AT) with restricted blood flow (BFR+AT) and ischemic preconditioning (PCI+AT) on the anaerobic performance of non-exercising individuals. This is a longitudinal study, with a sample of 23 sedentary men (age= 30.0 ± 5.57 years; = 1.77 ± 0.07 m; body mass= 91.10 ± 18.66 kg), who underwent specific aerobic power tests in vertical cycloergometer, step and treadmill. An aerobic training program was carried out for 4 weeks. The subjects were randomized into three groups: BFR+AT: continuous at 50% of the auscultatory pulse; PCI+AT: three cycles of 05' min of vascular occlusion/reperfusion at 220 mmHg; Control: AT without BFR. All groups performed the same training (6' min per ergometer with 45" min interval at an intensity of 50% of VO2max). Anaerobic performance was verified using the RAST TEST, analyzing the measurements of lactate (La), peak power (PP) and fatigue index (%F). There were significant differences in La Pre vs Post levels (∆ =40%) in the PCI group; an increase was noted in PP (∆=23%) compared to the other groups; there was no significant difference in any of the groups in the F variable. However, there was a greater tendency to fatigue in the Control group (∆=23%). Aerobic training with restricted blood flow and ischemic preconditioning has been shown to be effective in improving anaerobic performance, considering lactate levels, peak power. However, the fatigue index showed a greater tendency of decreasing fatigue, thus improving the anaerobic capacity of individuals without regular physical practice.

Effectiveness of psychotherapeutic nursing intervention on infertility stress, uncertainty, anxiety and implantation rate among women undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment: A single centre pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Within the realm of mental distress experienced by women who are unable to conceive, tension, uncertainty, and anxiety are prevalent concerns. The multitude of unpredictable elements that occur during IVF treatment process can cause anxiety and stress. This unpleasant feeling has an impact on the psycho-neurological pathways of women who are unable to conceive. As a consequence, fertilisation and implantation are inhibited, leading to adverse effects on pregnancy. The individual's experience will vary depending on the extent of social support, the coping mechanisms employed, the quality of the marital connection, and the level of stress caused by infertility. Material and method: The study was carried out on 20 women undergoing IVF treatment. Participants were selected by simple random sampling technique. (COMPI) Fertility Problem Stress Scale, Uncertainty Scale for Infertile Women and Short Version of the Spielberger State—trait Anxiety Inventory were used to assess the level of stress, uncertainty and anxiety. Results: The findings of the current study indicate that 80% of women undergoing IVF in the experimental group experienced a moderate degree of stress prior to the intervention. However, this percentage decreased to 60% after receiving intervention. In case of uncertainty maximum of women had mild level of uncertainty and it remain unchanged in experimental group after intervention However, there was a significant decrease in anxiety levels (both STAIS and STAIT) in the experimental group following the intervention. Participants that received psychotherapeutic nursing intervention showed a higher rate of implantation. Conclusion: Psychotherapeutic nursing intervention can decrease the anxiety among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment and also enhance the implantation rate.

A Novel Plasmonic MIM Sensor Using Integrated 1 × 2 Demultiplexer for Individual Lab-on-Chip Detection of Human Blood Group and Diabetes Level in the Visible to Near-Infrared Region

A Novel Plasmonic MIM Sensor Using Integrated 1 × 2 Demultiplexer for Individual Lab-on-Chip Detection of Human Blood Group and Diabetes Level in the Visible to Near-Infrared Region

How Social Influence Affects Reporting: Toward an Integration of Crime Reporting, Whistleblowing, and Denunciation

Reporting—often by ordinary individuals—is the most common means by which authorities become aware of crimes, misconduct, and other types of deviant behavior. In this article, I integrate research across a variety of disciplines and domains to review the role of social influence in the decision to report. Such influences operate at the individual, group, and societal levels to shape reporting behavior, as potential reporters respond to both direct and indirect pressures, along with considering the anticipated reactions of others were a report to be made. Together, these influences can either suppress or promote reporting, which shapes who is identified, investigated, and ultimately punished for deviant behavior within organizations, communities, and states.

Agreement between self-, mother and father proxy-reports on health-related quality of life in adolescents with Tourette syndrome.

This study aimed to investigate agreement and discrepancies between parent proxy- and adolescent self-reports on assessments of adolescents' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the role that individual factors may play in parent-adolescent agreement, in a sample of adolescents with Tourette syndrome (TS) compared to a control group of healthy adolescents. Adolescents aged 12-18years diagnosed with TS were recruited with their parents from primary and secondary referral centres. Adolescent healthy controls were matched for gender and age. Adolescents and each of their parents completed a set of questionnaires including a HRQoL evaluation of adolescent, the 'Vécu et Santé Perçue de l'Adolescent'. Mother-adolescent, father-adolescent and mother-father agreements on adolescents' HRQoL scores were investigated at individual and group level, both in TS and control groups. Data were available for 75 adolescents, 75 mothers and 63 fathers, in the TS group. Agreement between mother, father proxy-reports and TS adolescents self-reports of HRQoL varied from poor to good, without significant difference with the control group. In TS group, mothers and fathers underestimated adolescents' HRQoL in 'Psychological well-being' subscale and mothers underestimated it in 'Physical 'well-being' subscale, while controls overestimated adolescents' HRQoL in these subscales. Larger mother-adolescent discrepancies for 'Psychological well-being' and 'Physical well-being' subscales were associated with internalizing symptoms. Regarding future studies, comprehensive evaluation of the various dimensions of adolescents' HRQoL with TS requires the integration of the perspectives of both adolescents, mothers and fathers. Clinicians should take into account this point to provide comprehensive care and services.

Prospective validation of a seizure diary forecasting falls short.

Recently, a deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) model forecasted seizure risk using retrospective seizure diaries with higher accuracy than random forecasts. The present study sought to prospectively evaluate the same algorithm. We recruited a prospective cohort of 46 people with epilepsy; 25 completed sufficient data entry for analysis (median = 5 months). We used the same AI method as in our prior study. Group-level and individual-level Brier Skill Scores (BSSs) compared random forecasts and simple moving average forecasts to the AI. The AI had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of .82. At the group level, the AI outperformed random forecasting (BSS = .53). At the individual level, AI outperformed random in 28% of cases. At the group and individual level, the moving average outperformed the AI. If pre-enrollment (nonverified) diaries (with presumed underreporting) were included, the AI significantly outperformed both comparators. Surveys showed most did not mind poor-quality LOW-RISK or HIGH-RISK forecasts, yet 91% wanted access to these forecasts. The previously developed AI forecasting tool did not outperform a very simple moving average forecasting in this prospective cohort, suggesting that the AI model should be replaced.

Serum globulin in children with myasthenia gravis: predicting relapse and prognosis

ABSTRACT Objective Serum globulin is associated with inflammatory or immune disorders. However, it has not been established whether it is associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). We investigated the association between globulin with relapse and prognosis in children with MG. Methods A cohort of 148 MG cases and 150 healthy children were retrospectively enrolled from January 2015 to December 2021. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were used to analyze the treatment outcomes and recurrence of case group, exploring the influence of globulin. Results Compared with the control group, globulin levels in the MG group were slightly increased (t = 7.244, p < 0.001). After a mean follow-up of 2.25 ± 1.05 years, 35 cases relapsed, with a relapse rate of 23.65%. Logistic regression analysis showed that globulin levels at admission [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.233, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.028–1.472, p = 0.018] were independent risk factors for relapse. Cox regression analysis confirmed that globulin levels at admission affects relapse-free time [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.552, 95% CI 0.357–0.852, p = 0.007]. Receiver operating characteristic curve determined 25.10 as the optimal cutoff value for globulin. Cox regression showed that high globulin levels (>25.10) at admission (adjusted HR = 0.607, 95% CI 0.383–0.961, p = 0.033) were independent risk factors for poor therapeutic outcomes at follow-up. Ordinal logistic regression showed that globulin affects the treatment plan (OR = 1.445, 95% CI 1.223–1.847, p = 0.014). Conclusions Elevated globulin levels in children with MG on admission predicts a high relapse rate and poor long-term therapeutic efficacies.

Deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin cause liver damage and egg quality degradation through endoplasmic reticulum stress in summer laying hens.

The present study aimed to find whether low doses of mixed mycotoxins would affect egg quality in laying hens, and to explore the oxidative stress induced liver damage through endoplasmic reticulum during summer stress. A total of 96 Jinghong laying hens, 36 wks of age, were divided into four treatments, with eight repetitions per treatment and three hens per repetition. All the hens were raised in summer (average temperature: 31.3 ± 0.5℃; average humidity: 85.5 ± 0.2%) for 28d. One treatment was fed a basal diet as control (CON), and the other three treatments were fed the same diets containing 3.0mg/kg deoxynivalenol (DON), 0.5mg/kg T-2 toxin (T-2), and 1.5mg/kg DON + 0.25mg/kg T-2 toxin (Mix). Albumen height and Haugh unit were decreased (P < 0.05) in the Mix group on day 14 and 28. The activity of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were decreased (P < 0.05) in the DON, T-2, and Mix groups. The alkaline phosphatase level in DON, T-2, and Mix groups was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The level of interleukin-1β, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the Mix group were higher (P < 0.05) than CON, DON, and T-2 groups. Mix group upregulated the mRNA expressions of protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, activating transcription factor4, IL-1β, nuclear factor-κ-gene binding, and nuclear respiratory factor 2 in the liver (P < 0.05). The results showed that low doses of DON and T-2 toxin could cause oxidative stress in the liver, but DON and T-2 toxin have a cumulative effect on virulence, which can reduce egg quality and cause endoplasmic reticulum stress in the liver.

ПУТИ ВОВЛЕЧЕНИЯ НЕВОСТРЕБОВАННЫХ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ ЗЕМЕЛЬ ВЛАДИМИРСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ В ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЙ ОБОРОТ

The article, using the example of the territories of the Troitsky and Novomoskovsky administrative districts (hereinafter referred to as TiNAO) of Moscow, shows the possibility of a geoecological assessment of changes in the morphometric parameters of small reservoirs. Before joining the administrative structure of the Moscow territories in 2012, the studies on the ecology of these territories was minimal. Of particular importance for monitoring the geo-ecological situation in “New Moscow», – what the conjoined territories are also called, is the fact that its area is 1,480 km2, which is 57.8% of the entire territory of Moscow.&#x0D; The subject of the study were 1402 small reservoirs registered in the territory of the TiNAO. To carry out their environmental assessment, a cluster analysis method was used, which is a universal mathematical tool for scientific research. A negative change (decrease) in the average depth of the reservoir was taken as the main parameter of the study. Based on the results of the objects’ morphometry analysis carried out at an interval of two years, data on dynamic changes in the physical parameters of reservoirs were obtained and processed. It was established that shallowing problems exist in 4.51% of the total area of reservoirs in the TiNAO. Mapping stagnant small reservoirs made it possible to visually assess the scale of the problem and identify potentially problematic areas of the TiNAO from a geoecological point of view. Using the cluster analysis, zoning of problematic water bodies was carried out. Such identification (clustering) of water bodies’ grouping made it possible to see deviations at the level of groups of small river basins, which provided a large-scale understanding of the ecological situation at the level of catchment areas of larger water bodies.

Menstrual Cycle Phase has no Influence on Performance-Determining Variables in Endurance-Trained Athletes: The FENDURA Project.

To investigate the effect of the MC and endogenous sex hormone concentrations on performance-determining variables in three distinct MC phases in endurance-trained females. Twenty-one eumenorrheic trained/highly trained endurance athletes completed a standardized test battery during the early follicular phase (EFP), ovulatory phase (OP), and mid-luteal phase (MLP) for either one (n = 7) or two test cycles (n = 14). MC phases were determined using calendar-based counting, urinary ovulation testing, and verified with serum hormone analysis. MCs were retrospectively classified as eumenorrheic or disturbed. Disturbed MCs were excluded from analysis. The test battery consisted of 4-6 x 5-min submaximal stages with stepwise speed increases, a 30-s all-out double-poling ski ergometer test, and a maximal incremental treadmill running test. At a group level, there was no effect of MC phase or the serum concentrations of estrogen and progesterone on peak oxygen uptake (O2peak), oxygen uptake at 4 mmol·L-1 blood lactate concentration, time-to-exhaustion, running economy, or mean 30-s power output (MPO30s). Serum testosterone concentration was positively associated with MPO30s (p = 0.016). Changes in O2peak from EFP to MLP were inconsistent between individuals and across cycles. None of the measured performance-determining variables were influenced by MC phase or serum estrogen or progesterone concentrations. While some individual patterns could be observed, there was no indication that any single MC phase is consistently associated with improved or impaired O2peak on a group level.

Application of ‘Readiness for Change’ concept within implementation of evidence-based mental health interventions globally: protocol for a scoping review

Background Concerning the growing burden of mental illnesses globally, there has been an increased investment into the implementation of evidence-based mental health interventions (EBmhIs) in routine care settings. However, the uptake and implementation of these EBmhIs has faced challenges in the real-world context. Among the many barriers and facilitators of implementation of EBmhIs identified by implementation science frameworks, evidence on the role of readiness for change (RFC) remains sparse. RFC constitutes the willingness and perceived capacity of stakeholders across an organization to implement a new practice. Theoretically, RFC has been defined at organizational, group, and individual levels, however, its conceptualization and operationalization across all these levels have differed in studies on the implementation of EBmhIs. By conducting a scoping review, we aim to examine the literature on RFC within the implementation of EBmhIs. Methods This scoping review will be conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Iterative review stages will include a systematic and comprehensive search through four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO), selecting studies, charting data, and synthesizing the results. English-language studies meeting the inclusion criteria will be screened independently by two reviewers. Discussion This review will synthesize knowledge on the conceptualization of RFC across organizational, group, and individual levels within the implementation of EBmhIs. In addition, it will identify how RFC has been measured in these studies and summarize the reported evidence on its impact on the implementation of EBmhIs. Conclusions This review will assist mental health researchers, implementation scientists, and mental health care providers to gain a better understanding of the state of research on RFC within the implementation of EBmhIs. Registration The final protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework on October 21, 2022 (https://osf.io/rs5n7).

Self-assessment using 30-second chair stand test for patients with knee osteoarthritis – an intra- and inter-rater reliability study

Background We aimed to evaluate the intra-rater reliability in 30-second chair stand test (30CST) as a self-test, and the inter-rater reliability comparing a self-test with a physiotherapist-assessed 30CST for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The second purpose was to evaluate the classification ability of the 30CST as self-test to distinguish between reduced physical function and normal function. Methods Patients with KOA performed two self-tests of 30CST at home and thereafter a physiotherapist assessed the patient. Absolute agreements were presented with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), 95% confidence interval (CI) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Post-hoc analyses were conducted to calculate minimal detectable change (MDC). The classification ability was analysed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-curves and area under the ROC-curve (AUC). The significance level was p < 0.05. Results In total, 114 followed the protocol. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were good (ICC 0.97, CI 0.95–0.99, SEM 0.89 and ICC 0.81, CI 0.72–0.87, SEM 2.29 respectively). MDC were 2.5 stands when comparing self-test results individually and 0.23 on a group level. The MDC between self-tests and physiotherapist assessment were 6.4 stands for individual comparison and 0.59 for group comparison. The self-test was 80% likely to detect reduced physical function compared to a physiotherapist assessing physical function with 30CST (AUC = 0.79–0.80). Conclusions The results indicate that 30CST can be a reliable self-assessment of physical function in lower extremities for patients with KOA. These findings can be useful in areas such as self-screening for reduced physical function, self-assessment in digital physiotherapy, and as measurement in research projects.

Adaptogenic Ashwagandha root extract modulates inflammatory markers in feline stress management: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral administration of Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) in cats subjected to different types of stress. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled veterinary clinical trial was conducted with sixteen healthy pet cats. Each cat was randomly assigned to receive ARE (15 mg/kg body weight) or a placebo and were subjected to four types of stress over a period of one month. No detrimental changes were observed in ALP, ALT, AST, glucose, creatinine, and BUN levels on day 30 with ARE with all values within the physiological range. Additionally, in the ARE-treated group, the protein (p < 0.05) and albumin (p < 0.01) levels were increased significantly, indicating overall improved liver function. Post 30 days ARE treatment, significant modulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.001), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.01) and catalase (p < 0.001) levels were observed with ARE compared to placebo control group. After 30 days ARE treatment, serum cortisol levels significantly decreased (p < 0.001), indicating strong anti-stress effects. There was a significant decrease in cytokine levels (TNF-α, IFN-γ & IL-10), NFκB and Nrf-2 levels in ARE treated group indicating potent anti-inflammatory effects. Overall, these promising results demonstrate that ARE possesses adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory properties and is safe in felines.

The impact of noise on the stress response of Portunus trituberculatus in a land-based monoculture system

Human-induced noise, particularly from shipping and construction, significantly affects the stress responses of swimming crabs (Portunus trituberculatus Miers, 1876). Prolonged exposure can lead to stress responses, impacting the overall health of the crabs. This study aimed to assess how noise affects stress responses in P. trituberculatus. The sound had an intensity of 163 dB 1μPa for the noise condition and 114 dB 1μPa for ambient sound. P. trituberculatus was continuously exposed to the noise stimulus for six hours. Samples of serum, muscle tissue, gills, and hepatopancreas were collected at multiple time points: 0 min, 10 min, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 7 h. The serum cortisol levels in the noise-exposed group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 30 min and 6 h. The two groups had no significant differences regarding serum glucose and muscle lactic acid content. In the noise-exposed group, the gills exhibited significantly lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Conversely, for the hepatopancreas, the SOD levels in the noise-exposed group were notably lower than those in the control group at 10 min but significantly higher at 6 h and 7 h. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were substantially higher in the noise-exposed group than in the control group at 30 min and 6 h. This study demonstrates that P. trituberculatus experiences a physiological stress response to acoustic sounds.