Life Time Research Articles

Effect of online hemodiafiltration on quality of life, fatigue and recovery time: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the effect of bicarbonate hemodialysis and HDF on quality of life (QoL), fatigue, and time to recovery in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Searches were run on January 2024 and updated on 3 March 2024 in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE (1985 to present); Ovid EMBASE (1985 to present); Cochrane Library (Wiley); PubMed (1985 to present). Ten articles were fully assessed for eligibility and included in the investigation. Compared to HD, online HDF had a pooled MD of the mental component score (MCS) of the SF-36of 0.98 (95% CI -0.92, 2.87; P = 0.31). and of the physical component score (PCS) of 0.08 (95% CI -1.32, 1.48; P = 0.91). No significant heterogeneity was observed (Chi2 = 4.85; I2 = 38%; P = 0.18 and Chi2 = 3.85; I2 = 22%; P = 0.28, respectively). Studies that compared the QoL assessed through the Kidney Disease Questionnaire or KDQOL-SF and show that HDF does not improve QoL when compared with HD, in most studies. In five out of seven studies, HDF was not significantly more effective than HD in improving fatigue. The length of the recovery time resulted in similar in patients receiving HDF and HD in all studies included in the present review. HDF is not more effective than HD in improving QoL and fatigue and in reducing the length of time of recovery after dialysis.

Italian university students' future time perspective and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, young adults worldwide showed signs of distress as they were affected in their specific developmental tasks, including the construction of personal and professional futures. The present study aimed to assess the situational future time perspective of Italian university students during the second pandemic wave, as measured by an ad hoc constructed instrument, to explore its interaction with some dispositional traits relevant in future construction, such as optimism, sense of life, aggression, and dispositional future time perspective, and to test their effect on psychological well-being. The total sample consisted of 389 subjects (18-35 years, M = 23.5, SD = 4.4). The results indicated that the pandemic experience, assessed by surveying specific indicators, negatively affected the future time perspective of students, particularly those dispositionally optimistic and convinced that life has meaning. However, awareness of the negative impact that the pandemic brought to the vision of the future seems to have dampened the levels of depression and stress, while anxiety was found to be related only to dispositional traits. The results also suggested the need for educational and economic policies that help young adults develop confidence in the future and in their ability to build it.

A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK (WSN) PROTOCOLS

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) include many tiny and low energy and cheaper nodes in different areas for measuring the environmental parameters like temperature and humidity. Hence, the usage of WSNs has become an adaptable means of data transfer across different fields due to the advancement of wireless technology. It is noted that these networks,which use nodes for event detection and identification, gather information by means of simple calculations and send it to a particular Base Station (BS) via gateway nodes. The applications of WSNs can be classified into monitoring and tracking,which are used in areas such as environmental monitoring, health diagnostics, military surveillance, and many others.nergy consumption is still a major issue of concern, sensor nodes in particular, use energy in sensing data and transmitting it. Energy savings techniques like clustering and routing protocols are important for increasing the life time of the network.hus, this research aims at analysing the different aspects of improving energy efficiency and network performance,especially in the context of the clustering algorithms, such as the Multi-level Stable and Energy Efficient Clustering (MSEEC) protocol. The paper discusses major issues and suggests some new combined routing approaches for WSNs with the problems connected with fault tolerance, topology, scalability, and power consumption.

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of new alternative ruthenium complex for dye sensitized solar cells

For first time, new innovative ruthenium N3-Dye anchored with selenium (Se) and N3 dye anchored with sulphur atoms were synthesized in a good yield. Dyes are applied and evaluated in performance of dye sensitized solar cell. N3–Se dye showed superior photochemical& electrochemical behavior and high rate electron transfer across anode surface than N3–S dye. The better optical and electrochemical activities would make Se-dye a candidate for applications in solar cells. Half life time of N3–S showed a single exponential decay with an average lifetime of 0.8 ns. For N3–Se dye, decay curve was fitted by sum two exponential functions with 75% and 25% counts have 2.5 ns and 30 ns respectively. Solar cells were fabricated and analyzed to determine their solar-to-electric conversion efficiency under standard AM 1.5 sunlight. Commercial N3 dyes showed current density (Jsc) of 17.813 mA cm−2, open circuit potential (Voc) of 0.678 V, filling factor (FF) of 0.607 and conversion efficiencies (η) of 7.3%. Corresponding values for N3–S dye, Jsc 11.2 mA cm−2, Voc 0.650 V, FF 0.681 and η 5%. Se–N3 dye, showed Jsc = 6.670 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.6004 V, FF = 0.77 and η = 3.09%. Long lifetime of N3–Se caused low practical performance.

ITIH1 suppresses carcinogenesis in renal cell carcinoma through regulation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy of the urinary system. Although traditional therapies, such as surgery assisted with chemotherapy have improved the quality of life and survival time of patients with RCC, patients with metastasis or recurrence benefit little from such therapies. At present, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of RCC, rendering treatment selection and implementation challenging. Therefore, investigating the cause and underlying mechanisms of RCC remain of importance to explore potential new avenues for its treatment. Inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 1 (ITIH1) is an inflammation-associated gene reported to suppress the progression of liver cancer. However, its role in RCC remains poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of ITIH1 in RCC. Based on data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, ITIH1 expression was demonstrated to be significantly higher in tumor tissues compared with normal tissues, which was in turn negatively associated with the survival of patients with RCC. However, in RCC cells, ITIH1 was shown to be expressed at significantly lower levels compared with those in HK-2 cells. The discrepancy between tissues and cell lines might be due to the different environment of cell growth. ITIH1 knockdown in RCC cells significantly increased cell proliferation and invasion whilst significantly decreasing the apoptosis rate, compared with those in control cells (without ITIH1 knockdown). By contrast, overexpression of ITIH1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in RCC cells. In terms of western blotting results, the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB were significantly increased following ITIH1 knockdown. The protein expression level of IκB significantly decreased whereas that of IKK, Cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and α-smooth muscle actin were significantly increased in ITIH1-knockdown cells, compared with those in the control cells (without ITIH1 knockdown). This suggests that the NF-κB pathway may be activated after ITIH1 knockdown. Following treatment with the NF-κB pathway inhibitor JSH-23 in combination with ITIH1 knockdown, RCC cell proliferation and invasion were significantly reduced compared with those after ITIH1 knockdown alone. In summary, results from the present study suggest that ITIH1 can serve an inhibitory role in the progression of RCC, which could potentially be inhibited through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

The practical utility of nitrogen doped TiO2 as a photocatalyst for the oxidative removal of gaseous formaldehyde

This study reports the development of nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N–TiO2: N/Ti molar ratio = 1) photocatalyst with the enhanced photoelectronic properties for the phtocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of formaldehyde (FA). The N–TiO2 photocatalyst is coated with ceramic beads and placed in a packed-bed tube reactor to examine the PCO-based mineralization of FA vapor (100 - 500 ppm) under ultraviolet (UV)-A illumination (32 W light source) with the control of flow rate (100–500 mL min−1), O2 (0–21%), and relative humidity (RH: 0–100%). Accordingly, the N-TiO2 in dry conditions showcases 100% degradation of 100 ppm FA with high stability over 5 reuse cycles (compared to the P25 (75.9%) and bare TiO2 (69.2%)) at a flow rate of 100 mL min−1 and a 21 % O2 level (quantum yield = 1.72.E−02 molecules photon−1 and space-time yield = 3.44.E−03 molecules photon−1 mg−1). The superior performance of N–TiO2 may reflect the combination of N/O atoms in the crystal structure to enhance the photo-redox reactivities with the heightened valence band enegry and prolonged lifespan of charge carrier (1.34 ns) relative to 1.04 ns of P25 and 1 ns of pure (anatase) TiO2. The PCO efficiency of N–TiO2 increases by around 1.6 times in slightly humid conditions (74.6%: RH 20%) compared to dry conditions (47%: RH 0%) while the absence of oxygen (at 0% O2) reduces it significantly down to 13.6%. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance studies confirm the critical role of O2 and H2O vapor on the enhanced FA mineralization rate (CO2 yield = 91 %) through the generation of •O2-/•OH oxidative radicals. This study offers deep insights into the practical utility of N–TiO2 for the photocatalytic mineralization of aldehyde VOCs.

Hydrothermal Aging and Humidity Exposure of Carbon and Basalt Fibers and Life Time Prediction

Hydrothermal Aging and Humidity Exposure of Carbon and Basalt Fibers and Life Time Prediction

The persistence and pervasiveness of racial discrimination in Great Britain: capturing experienced racial discrimination over time and life domains

ABSTRACT Racism has been long-established to be associated with social, economic, and health inequalities for minoritised ethnic groups, but existent evidence likely under-estimates the extent and persistence of experienced racial discrimination due to limitations in the measurement of timing and domains of life where racial discrimination occurs. We analysed data captured by a novel retrospective measure of life course experiences of racial discrimination that measures the extent, persistence, and accumulation of experienced racial discrimination over the life course. Our findings show higher levels of experienced racial discrimination than previously reported, and uncover the pervasiveness of racial discrimination across life domains. By asking about different time periods we find that people who report experiencing racial discrimination are likely to have had these experiences in multiple domains, and multiple time periods, documenting the insidiousness of racial discrimination over time and domains of people’s lives.

Cancer screening attendance rates in transgender and gender-diverse patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo examine disparities in attendance rates at cancer screening services between transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people in comparison with their cisgender (CG) counterparts, and to determine whether these differences were...

Prevalence and risk factors of human papilloma virus infection among women living with HIV, Egypt, a cross sectional study

BackgroundHPV is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is responsible of 70% of cervical cancers worldwide. HIV infection is associated with increased rates of HPV infection. Women Living With HIV (WLWH) are 6 times at greater risk of developing cervical cancer. The current study aimed to estimate prevalence and identify genotypes of HPV infection among WLWH in Egypt compared to women with negative HIV status and determine associated risk factors.MethodsThe study conducted among 251 WLWH and 268 women with negative HIV status enrolled from gynecological clinics in primary health care centers from nine Egyptian governorates. Data was collected from participants using a structured interview questionnaire and cervical samples were collected for HPV DNA detection and genotyping.ResultsThe overall prevalence of HPV infection was 13.5%, 3.4% among women with HIV negative status and 24.4% among WLWH. HR-HPVs other than genotype 16 and 18 were isolated from 71% of infected women. Woman’s age, age at first marriage, number of lifetime marriages and drug addiction are significant predictors for HPV infection (odds 0.96, 0.91, 2.06, 2.01 respectively).ConclusionHPV infection is more prevalent among WLWH. Infection with HR-HPV other than genotype 16 and 18 was the most prevalent among infected women in both groups. Young age, early life sexual activity, having more than one sexual partner during the life time, and drug addiction are independent predictors for HPV infection. Having a husband who has had other sexual partners is significantly associated with infection.

Effect of Yttrium doping on enhancing the photocatalytic performance of TiO2/GO nanocomposite

Pure and Yttrium doped Titania/Graphene oxide (YTGO) nanocomposites were synthesized by hydrothermal method. XRD analysis confirmed the crystal structure and anatase phase of TiO2 nanoparticles. The anatase phase of TiO2 has been retained in the composite as confirmed from the XRD pattern. SEM and TEM images revealed that the spherical TiO2 nanoparticles are embedded into sheet like structures of GO. The size of the spherical nanoparticles in the composites is relatively smaller than that of pure sample due to anchoring on the GO sheets. The photocatalytic performance of TiO2 has significantly increased in the Y-doped TiO2 with GO compared to pure TiO2 and TiO2/GO (TGO). Moreover, 0.7 % Y-doped TiO2/GO nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic performance with overall efficiency of 97 % compared to other samples. The 0.7 % Y-doped TiO2/GO nanocomposite shows higher rate constant and shorter half life time compared to other samples. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity of YTGO composites attributed to the combination of increased absorption due to the absorption edge shift and effective separation of photo generated carriers.

Development of Media Branding on Batik Products for MSME Actors in Kulon Progo Regency

Batik product marketing techniques are essential to the sustainability of an MSME in Kulon Progo. Various media can be used as a means of marketing. Based on previous research in 2021, the branding media used in the category is quite good, so there is a need to improve and develop the branding media used. This research aims to: (1) design the development of Sembung Batik branding media through an account on Shopee; and (2) Test the feasibility of developing Sembung Batik branding media through an account on Shopee. The research was carried out at Batik Sembung Kulon Progo. This type of research is development research using a 4D model and a quantitative descriptive approach. 4D Design comprises the definition, design, development, and dissemination stages. Three expert lecturers carried out the feasibility test. This research is to: (1). design the development of Sembung Batik branding media through an account on Shopee, which consists of four stages: the definition stage, the design stage, the development stage, and the disseminated stage, which is carried out 3 Shopee live times; and (2). the feasibility level of developing Sembung Batik branding media through an account on Shopee is very suitable for use based on the opinions of 3 experts. Based on this research, the development of branding media using live streaming can be implemented for other branding media so that it can have an impact on MSME branding.

Effectiveness of interventions for informal caregivers of community-dwelling frail older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Systematic reviews on interventions for informal caregivers of community-dwelling frail older adults were published over a decade ago and they mistook frailty for other severe age-related conditions like disability and dementia. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically synthesize these interventions supporting these caregivers identified by an acknowledged frailty assessment instrument and to examine their effectiveness on caregiver-related outcomes. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Fourteen electronic databases, grey literature and reference lists were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs) from inception to November 3, 2023. Methodology quality and risk of bias were assessed. Data were meta-analysed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, version 3.0. Studies and outcomes unsuitable for meta-analysis were summarized by narrative syntheses. Four studies consisting of three RCTs and one NRCT were included involving 350 participants. Interventions for caregivers of frail older adults included multicomponent interventions (n = 3) and education intervention (n = 1). Interventions had a moderate effect on reducing depression and showed nonsignificant effects on caregiver burden, caregiving time or quality of life (QoL). The PEDro scores for RCTs ranged from 6 to 8, indicating good methodologic quality, but were all judged as high risk of bias. The NRCT reported all methodologic aspects and was at low risk of bias. Few studies focus on interventions targeting caregivers of frail older adults, and their effectiveness may vary by outcomes. This review suggested the potential benefits of these interventions in reducing caregivers' depression. The differential effectiveness by outcomes and high risk of bias of studies implicate that more rigorous studies are warranted.

O-061 Ovarian cancer and fertility - current understanding

Abstract Introduction Ovarian cancer is a significant health concern worldwide and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. While fertility preservation is essential for many young women diagnosed with cancer, concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of fertility treatments on the risk of ovarian cancer development. 1. Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors Ovarian cancer is a multifactorial disease with various risk factors contributing to its development. A woman has a risk of 1 in 78 of having ovarian cancer in her life time, risk factors include: • Age: Ovarian cancer risk increases with age, with the highest incidence observed in women over 50 years old. About 12.1% of Ovarian Cancer patients are younger than 44 years old. • Family History: Women with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, especially first-degree relatives, have an increased risk. • BRCA Mutations: Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly elevate the risk of ovarian cancer. • Reproductive Factors: Factors such as nulliparity, early menarche, late menopause, and infertility have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. 2. Fertility Treatments and Ovarian Cancer Risk Understanding the mechanisms underlying ovarian cancer development is crucial for assessing the potential impact of fertility treatments : • Ovulation Hypothesis: The repeated ovulation theory suggests that each ovulatory cycle increases the risk of DNA damage to ovarian epithelial cells, potentially leading to cancer development. The use of fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, such as clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins, has been studied , the early studies suggested a potential increased risk, more recent evidence has been conflicting, with some studies reporting no association. • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Several large-scale studies have investigated the relationship between IVF and ovarian cancer risk found no significant increase in ovarian cancer risk . • Hormonal Influence: Fertility drugs alter hormonal levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which may influence ovarian cancer risk. • Selection Bias: Some studies have suggested that the ovarian cancer risk may be confounded by underlying infertility factors rather than the treatments themselves. 3. Clinical Implications and Recommendations • Individual Risk Assessment: Clinicians should assess each patient's individual risk factors for ovarian cancer, including age, family history, and reproductive history, before initiating fertility treatments. • Informed Consent: Patients should be provided with comprehensive information regarding the potential risks and benefits of fertility treatments • Regular Surveillance: Women undergoing fertility treatments should receive regular gynecologic screenings and follow-up care to monitor for any signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer. • Shared Decision Making: Shared decision making between patients and healthcare providers is essential to ensure that treatment decisions align with patients' preferences and values. 4. Fertility Preservation Options • Most therapeutic options for Ovarian Cancer cause infertility, either by premature ovarian failure caused by cytotoxic agents in chemotherapy or surgical approaches that include unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy • In ovarian cancer patients, Oocyte cryopreservation is still the best option and the only one established along with embryo cryopreservation. Fertility preservation surgery can be suggested depending on histology, stage of disease and pre-existing ovarian reserve. • Ovarian tissue cryopreservation will not be an option as long as the risk of reseeding cancer cells is not fully eliminated. 5. Future Directions Advancements in molecular biology and genetics may shed light on the underlying mechanisms of ovarian cancer development and its potential association with fertility treatments. The artificial ovary and in vitro maturation of oocytes is a very attractive option in these patients, but further milestones have to be achieved

958 Prostatic Artery Embolisation vs. Transurethral Resection for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively compare these two therapeutic approaches regarding peri-operative and post-operative outcomes. Method Studies reporting on peri-operative and post-operative outcomes of PAE and TURP in BPH patients were included. Meta-analyses were performed to assess differences in outcomes such as IPSS, post-void residual (PVR), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), Prostate volume, procedural time, and Quality of Life (QoL) scores using RevMan 5.4.Methodological assessment was done by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies. Results Our analysis included a total of 9 studies involving 1138 patients. The postoperative subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in IPSS (HR of 1.37 (95% CI: -2.27 to 5.01, p = 0.00001; I2 = 98%), PVR (HR 43.29 (95% CI: -10.38 to 96.96, p = 0.00001; I2 = 99%). In the comprehensive analysis, substantial heterogeneity (98%) was noted, yielding an HR of -9.58 (95% CI: -48.20 to 29.30; p = 0.00001), Prostate volume 13.94 (with a 95% CI: 9.34 to 18.54, resulting in a highly significant p-value of 0.0001 and an I2 statistic indicating 83% heterogeneity), procedural time and QoL, with an HR (54.70) CI: 23-86.39, p<0.00001, I2=96%, and HR (0.27) CI: -0.39-0.93, p<0.00001 and I2=97%, respectively, these all outcomes favoured TURP over PAE. However, post-operative Qmax, (HR -8.48 (95% CI: -13.89 to -3.07, p=0.00001 and an I2 =99%) favoring PAE over TURP. Conversely, PAE exhibited a slower but sustained improvement in QoL scores over time. Complication rates were almost same between the two groups. Conclusions TURP may offer a quicker improvement in BPH; however, PAE also provides a viable alternative with sustained QoL improvements and a potentially lower risk of post-operative complications. Individualized treatment decisions should consider patient preferences and clinical factors.

Dehydrated and live black soldier fly larvae as environmental enrichment in indigenous slow-growing chickens: performance, gut health, and chitinolytic enzyme activity

The demand for sustainable and ethically farmed animal products is on the rise as consumers become more environmentally and animal welfare conscious. The need to diminish the consumption of soybean meal is urgent, and companies are looking for ways to respond to this necessity by looking for alternatives to soybean meal. This study assessed the impact of introducing whole dehydrated and live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) into the diet of an indigenous chicken breed as environmental enrichment. A total of 144 39-day-old male Bianca di Saluzzo chickens were distributed among 18 pens and assigned to three different experimental groups. The control group received a diet where soybean meal was entirely replaced by alternative ingredients. The two experimental groups were given the same diet supplemented with 5% of the expected daily feed intake of whole dehydrated BSFL or whole live BSFL. Throughout the trial period (from the bird age of 39–174 days of age), live weight was recorded every 21 days, and the average daily gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were calculated. The time required for the birds to consume the larvae was recorded three times a week. At age 147 and 174 days, 12 birds per treatment were selected based on mean live weight and slaughtered. Measurements included hot and chilled carcass weights, organ weights (spleen, liver, heart, stomach), breast and thigh muscle weights, and the corresponding yields were calculated. Acid protease activity was measured in proventriculus extract, and chitinase and chitosanase activity was calculated based on the release of reducing sugars from chitin or chitosan. The results showed little improvement in final live weights and daily feed intakes of the animals fed the insect larvae compared with control birds. Larva supplementation had no negative impact on the overall well-being of the animals assessed by blood analysis and histopathological assessment of the intestinal tract, spleen, and liver. No differences were found between the dehydrated vs live insect larvae consumption times, with all larvae being eaten up very rapidly (< 3 min). The birds fed BSFL showed an increase in chitinase activity. These findings support the potential use of whole BSFL as a form of environmental enrichment, particularly in their dehydrated form, being more convenient to use and store, which would also encourage the uptake of this practice by farmers.

Child and Clay: Fingerprints of a Dual Engagement at Hama, Syria

ABSTRACT Childhood is a time of life, like any other, in which the influence wielded by others is complex and multivocal. This multivocality is clear in the contemporary world, but it is not easy to recognize in archaeological contexts. This contribution argues that recently published fingerprint data from Hama Period J (ca. 2500-2000 BCE) provides evidence for marked tension between two types of engagement with clay that took place in the lives of young potters at the site: learning to produce full-scale ceramics on the one hand and learning to produce miniature vessels and figurines on the other. This tension extended to the nature of the skills that were being learned, the values being transmitted, and the types of social bonds that were formed or undermined.

Body Fit With a Pouching System With Concave Contour for People With an Outward Peristomal Body Profile: Effects on Leakage, Wear Time, and Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the fit of a two-piece pouching system with a concave-shaped skin barrier on people with an outward peristomal body profile and its effect on leakage, wear time, and quality of life (QoL) related to using an ostomy product. Randomized, controlled, open-label, cross-over trial. The sample comprised 53 subjects with outward peristomal body profiles and problems with leakage of ostomy effluent from their pouching system. Participants were randomized to the concave two-piece pouching system or a comparator (two-piece pouching system with a flat skin barrier) for 3 weeks. Subjects were then crossed over to the opposite skin barrier for an additional 3 weeks. The study was conducted in Denmark, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands; data were collected in multiple ambulatory clinics or during home visits. The primary end point was the ability of the skin barrier to fit body contours; secondary outcomes were leakage of effluent from the pouching system, wear time, and QoL related to using an ostomy product via the validated Ostomy-Q questionnaire. Primary comparisons between concave and comparator pouching systems were evaluated using proportional odds models and mixed models taking test period into account. Analysis included randomized subjects who had been exposed to at least one product and with information on at least one end point (full-analysis-set, n =52). The concave pouching system provided a better fit to body contours than the comparator (P<.001) and reduced the degree of leakage underneath the skin barrier (LS mean difference=-1.84, 95% CI -3.31 to -0.37; P =.016). Participants experienced fewer episodes of leakage outside the skin barrier when using concave versus comparator pouching system (13.0% vs. 26.7%, respectively). Participants reported significant improvements in QoL (LS mean difference=14.3; 95% CI 9.4 to 19.2; P <.001). No significant difference in wear time between skin barrier shapes was reported. Study findings indicate that a pouching system with a concave skin barrier achieved a better body fit on people with an outward peristomal body profile and resulted in fewer leakage incidents and higher QoL compared to using a pouching system with a flat skin barrier.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Its Association with Psychological Disorders Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia.

Internet addiction is increasing worldwide. Internet addiction (IA) refers to excessive Internet usage in an uncontrolled and time-consuming manner, causing loss of time and disruption of daily life. However, the prevalence of IA may vary according to age, sex, and ethnicity, and is more prevalent among college students. There is a strong link between problematic Internet usage and an increased risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD and depression symptoms. Medical students were chosen for this study due to their unique stressors, including rigorous academic demands, extensive study hours, and clinical practice requirements. It is critical to address behavioral addictions and their psychological effects in this group, as they are linked to the future quality of healthcare provision compared with their non-medical peers. To estimate the prevalence of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) in medical students and explore their correlation with the medical students' PTSD and Patient Health Questionnaire -9 (PHQ9) scores. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted including 506 medical students in the second year of medical school up to internship year at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU) between June 2021 and January 2022. The questionnaire consisted of consent forms, sociodemographic data, and screening tools for PTSD, the GPIU, and PHQ-9. The prevalence of problematic internet usage (PIU) was 30.6% in the sample group. Students with moderate-to-moderately severe PTSD were 1.7 times more likely to have PIU OR (95% CI): 1.7 (1.091, 2.879). Students with moderate to severe depression were 2.2 times more likely to have PIU OR (95% CI); 2.2 (1.333, 3.950).Having a Saudi nationality, lower income, and being single was significantly associated with PIU. Single Saudi medical students with lower income are at risk of developing more problematic internet use. Especially those who score moderate to high on PTSD and PHQ-9 scales.

The parental brain, perinatal mental illness, and treatment: A review of key structural and functional changes

The transition to parenthood is perhaps the only time in adult life when the brain changes to such a significant degree in such a short period, particularly in birthing parents. It is also a time when there is an increased risk of developing a mental illness, which may be due, in part, to the increased neuroplasticity. Thus, we must develop interventions and treatments that support parents and promote parental brain health. This review will highlight key findings from current research on how human brain structure and function are modified with 1) the transition to parenthood, 2) parenting stress and perinatal mental illness, and 3) treatments aimed at promoting perinatal mental health. The focus will be on birthing parents and mothers, but brain changes in non-birthing parents will also be discussed. Improvements in our understanding of the parental brain, in health and with illness, will promote the well-being of generations to come.