Limited Mobility Research Articles

Local Authorities as Agents for Mobilising Citizen Participation in Development within Bamenda Municipalities: An Analysis from the Participatory Democratic Theory

This study examines the impact of local authorities on citizen participation in social and economic development in the Bamenda municipalities of Cameroon. The problem addressed is the limited mobilization of citizen involvement despite an established legal framework. The study aims to assess local authorities' roles as mobilizers and identify factors hindering effective participation. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 400 residents and 80 council officials through standardized questionnaires. Analysis was conducted using Chi-Square tests to evaluate the significance of local authority mobilization on citizen engagement. Findings indicate a strong positive perception of local authorities' influence on social development, with 172 agreements and a Chi-Square value of 22.45. In contrast, economic development participation received 118 agreements and a Chi-Square value of 18.67, reflecting skepticism regarding local authority effectiveness. Despite some skepticism, a majority acknowledge the positive role of local authorities in fostering citizen involvement. The study recommends enhancing communication and engagement strategies to improve citizen participation in economic initiatives and addressing resource shortages in healthcare and education. By strengthening citizen engagement, local authorities can significantly contribute to sustainable development in Bamenda.

Biomarkers of cellular senescence and major health outcomes in older adults.

The geroscience hypothesis proposes that underlying biological processes, such as the accumulation of senescent cells, have deleterious effects on multiple tissues and increase the risk of many chronic conditions with aging. Senescent cells produce heterogenous biomarkers, also called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Circulating concentrations of senescence biomarkers may reflect an underlying burden of senescent cells in various tissues. Plasma levels of these proteins have been associated with increased mortality and poorer physical function. The associations of them with the incidence of major age-related conditions including heart failure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia, have not been studied. We measured 35 senescence biomarkers in baseline plasma samples from 1678 participants aged 70-79years old in the longitudinal Health ABC cohort study. Clinical outcomes were ascertained and validated over an average 11.5year follow-up. In models adjusted for age, sex, and race, higher levels of most of senescence biomarkers were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, mobility limitation, and heart failure. Several were also associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Very few were associated with the risk of cancer. Proteins that were selected by Lasso regression for each outcome that commonly included GDF15 and IL6, significantly improved the prediction of mortality, mobility limitation, and heart failure compared with age, sex, and race alone. These results indicate that levels of senescence biomarkers predict an increased risk of several age-related clinical outcomes and may identify individuals most likely to benefit from senotherapeutics.

Does optimizing Choose to Move – a health-promoting program for older adults – enhance scalability, program implementation and effectiveness?

BackgroundInvestment in scale-up and sustainment of effective health-promoting programs is often hampered by competing demands on scarce health dollars. Thus, optimizing programs to reduce resource use (e.g., delivery costs) while maintaining effectiveness is necessary to promote health at scale. Using a phased approach (2015–2024), we adapted and scaled-up an evidence-based, health-promoting program for older adults (Choose to Move; CTM). For CTM Phase 4 we undertook a systematic, data-driven adaptation process to reduce resource use. In this paper we: 1) describe the CTM Phase 4 program (‘CTM Phase 4’) and assess its 2) implementation and 3) effectiveness.MethodsFor CTM Phase 4 (30-min one-on-one consultation and 8, 60-min group meetings with an activity coach), we reduced activity coach hours by 40% compared to Phase 3. To evaluate effectiveness of CTM Phase 4 we conducted a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study involving 137 programs (1126 older adults; 59–74 years, 75 + years) delivered by 29 activity coaches. We assessed implementation indicators (e.g., dose, fidelity, adaptation, participant responsiveness, self-efficacy) via survey in activity coaches and older adults. We assessed older adults’ physical activity (PA), mobility, social isolation, and loneliness before and after (0, 3 months) the program.ResultsImplementation indicators demonstrated that CTM Phase 4 was delivered successfully. Post-intervention, PA (+ 1.4 days/week; 95% CI 1.3, 1.6), mobility limitations (-6.4%), and scores for mobility (+ 0.7; 95% CI: 0.4, 1.3), social isolation (+ 0.9; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.17), and loneliness (-0.23; 95% CI: -0.34, -0.13) were improved in those < 75 years. Among those ≥ 75 years, PA (+ 1.0 days/week; 95% CI, 0.7, 1.2), mobility score (+ 1.1; 95% CI: 0.4, 1.8), and social isolation score (+ 0.5; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.86) were improved post-intervention. Participant-level benefits were comparable to, or greater (PA and social isolation in those < 75) than, those observed in Phase 3.ConclusionsCTM was co-designed as a flexible program, adapted over time based on user group needs and preferences. This flexibility enabled us to reduce activity coach delivery hours without compromising implementation or benefits to older adults’ health. Optimizing effective health-promoting programs to enhance their scalability and sustainability provides an important pathway to improved population health.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05678985. Registered 10 January 2023 – Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05678985.

Stroke survivors’ perceptions of living with disability in urban Ghana- a qualitative study

BackgroundStroke prevalence is one of the most pressing issues in many sub-Saharan African countries. Stroke survivors often face disabilities, mental health problems, and experience stigma. Research on post-stroke experiences and interventions is limited, particularly in low and middle-income countries, including Ghana. This study aims to contribute to this gap by investigating experiences of everyday life following a stroke in urban Ghana.MethodA qualitative in-depth study involving 14 interviews with stroke survivors who attended physiotherapy at Accra Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic. Qualitative analysis was conducted to analyse the data.ResultsData analysis generated four themes; [1] Mobility limitations; [2] Psychosocial burden [3] Employment Limitations [4] Financial burden.ConclusionStroke survivors with disabilities perceive themselves as non-functional members of society, which limits their options for a normal life and undermines their well-being. A more in-depth understanding of these issues can contribute to strategies, interventions, and policies that address these problems.

Фотостимуляция как метод терапии контузии спинного мозга во время сна и бодрствования

Traumatic spinal cord injury is one of the most complex problems in modern medicine, characterized by a significant number of severe consequences and complications, development of traumatic spinal cord disease with a complex of structural and functional disorders leading to limited self-care and mobility, persistent endocrine shifts and changes in internal organs and systems, loss of control of pelvic functions, high mortality rates, and an extremely high level of social and psychological maladaptation of patients. Taking into account the fact that lymphatic drainage processes in the brain are activated during sleep, attention was given to comparing the effects of phototherapy of injured spinal cord in mice receiving treatment while asleep or awake. Photobiomodulation therapy was used as an anti-inflammatory and non-invasive treatment with minimal side effects. In the course of the study we established the presence of lymphatic structures in the animals’ spinal cord tissues. In a number of phototherapeutic effects during sleep we observed the following: improvement of morphological parameters of spinal cord tissues and activation of lymphatic drainage processes in the spinal cord.

Poly (Lactic Acid) Fibrous Film with Betalains from Pitaya (Stenocereus thurberi) by Electrospinning for Potential Use as Smart Food Packaging

The incorporation of biopolymers and natural colorants in smart packaging has garnered significant attention in the food packaging industry. This study investigates the design and characterization of novel fibrous films incorporating betalain extract (BE) from Stenocereus thurberi in poly (lactic acid) (PLA). An electrospinning technique was developed with varying PLA concentrations (2%–12% w/v) and BE concentrations (8%–12% w/v) to create a colorimetric freshness indicator. BE was characterized by quantifying its phytochemical content and assessing its antioxidant capacity. Morphological and structural analyses included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polydispersity index (PI), mechanical properties, and functional characteristics such as ammonia sensitivity and total antioxidant activity. The results indicated that the incorporation of BE significantly influenced the average diameter of the nanofibers, ranging from 313 ± 74 nm to 657 ± 99 nm. SEM micrographs showed that PLA12-BE12 films exhibited smooth surfaces without bead formation. The FTIR analysis confirmed effective BE incorporation, revealing intermolecular interactions between the betalain molecules and the PLA matrix, which contributed to enhanced structural and functional stability. The mechanical properties analysis revealed that moderate BE additions (8%–10% w/v) enhanced the Young’s modulus and tensile strength, while higher BE concentrations (12% w/v) disrupted the polymer network, reducing these properties. Additionally, the strain at break decreased significantly with BE incorporation, reflecting limited molecular chain mobility. Increasing BE concentration notably improved antioxidant activity, with the BE concentration of 12% (w/v), the ABTS•+, DPPH•, and FRAP radical scavenging activities at the highest values of 84.28 ± 1.59%, 29.95 ± 0.34%, and 710.57 ± 28.90 µM ET/g, respectively. Ammonia sensitivity tests demonstrated a significant halochromic transition from reddish-pink to yellow, indicating high sensitivity to low ammonia concentrations. The possible mechanism is alkaline pH induces aldimine bond hydrolysis and generates betalamic acid (yellow) and cyclo-DOPA-5-O-ß-glucoside (colorless) The fibrous films also exhibited reversible color changes and maintained good color stability over 30 days, emphasizing their potential for use in smart packaging applications for real-time freshness monitoring and food quality assessment.

Sociological perspective on migration in South Africa

This paper examines the socio-economic dimensions of population migration, emphasising its role as a vital social process within the broader societal framework. Employing a structural-functional approach, the study highlights how migration is shaped by and contributes to societal structures, norms, and cultural dynamics. Migration is influenced by socio-structural and cultural factors, reflecting the interconnectedness of institutions and societal conditions. For instance, urban industrial societies, characterised by institutional and structural compatibility, encourage rapid spatial mobility and long-distance migration. Conversely, traditional rural agrarian societies favour limited mobility and slower migration rates. Drawing on Durkheim’s theory of social evolution, the paper underscores migration’s transformative impact on society. It facilitates the transition from segmented, mechanically organised societies to complex, interdependent ones with advanced divisions of labour. This evolution signifies migration’s role as a driver of societal progress and adaptation. Secondary data analysis reveals that socio-cultural considerations, including family circumstances, are as influential as economic factors in migration decisions. The paper argues for government initiatives that promote social cohesion and regional integration to enable equitable migration opportunities. Such policies are essential for harnessing migration’s potential as a tool for societal advancement. By addressing the interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors, the study provides a nuanced understanding of migration as a dynamic and socially conditioned phenomenon. This research contributes to the discourse on population mobility by linking structural-functional theory with contemporary migration dynamics and policy implications.

Association between Home-Base Primary Care and Post-Discharge Outcomes among Older Adults in Korea

This study aimed to evaluate the association between home-based primary care (HBPC) and postdischarge outcomes in Korean older adults. HBPC was a service that provided medical care by visiting the homes of older adults with limited mobility. In this study, data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) were used, and groups with and without HBPC services were matched 1:1 through propensity score matching. Cox proportional hazards model and linear regression analysis were performed to compare the HBPC group with the control group. Overall, 1580 older adults in Korea who used HBPC services after discharge from hospital and 1580 propensity score-matched older adults who did not use HBPC services were included. For 30-day readmission, hospitalizations, and admission to long-term care hospitals or facilities after discharge, this study used a Cox proportional hazards regression model. And linear regression analysis was performed considering that the dependent variable was a continuous variable to examine the average total medical costs after discharge from acute hospital. Older adults who used HBPC services exhibited a lower risk of readmission for the same disease (risk reduction of 0.66, 95% CI 0.50, 0.87) and hospitalization (risk reduction of 0.58, 95% CI 0.46, 0.73) compared with those who did not use HBPC services. The annual average total medical cost was $4764 lower for older adults who used HBPC services than for those who did not (95% CI -6469.49,-3057.52). There was no significant difference in the risk of admission to long-term care hospitals or facilities. HBPC services had a positive effect on reducing 30-day readmission due to the same disease, hospitalization, and annual average total medical costs among older adults after discharge.

Associations of adiposity and device-measured physical activity with cancer incidence: UK Biobank prospective cohort study.

High adiposity and low physical activity are associated with cancer risk. Whether different amounts and intensities of physical activity can mitigate this association is unclear. We aimed to examine the independent and combined associations of adiposity and device-measured physical activity levels of different intensities with cancer incidence and mortality. This prospective cohort study included data from 70,747 UK Biobank participants (mean age 61.6 ± 7.9 years, 56.4% women) with wrist-worn accelerometer measurements of physical activity and without chronic diseases or mobility limitations. Physical activity exposures included min per week of light (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA), and vigorous (VPA) intensity physical activity, along with total weekly volume. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from anthropometric measurements. Participants were categorized into 9 groups based on joint tertiles of physical activity and BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, and obesity). Secondary analyses included adiposity using bio-impedance and waist circumference measurements. The outcome was incidence and death from cancer retrieved from national registries. Associations between adiposity, physical activity, and cancer hazard were calculated as subdistribution hazard ratios. A secondary analysis focused on cancer types strongly associated with physical activity. We observed 2625 events (2572 non-fatal and 53 fatal) during a median follow-up of 6.1 years. Compared with the referent (normal weight and high physical activity), overweight and obesity were associated with a 6% to 36% higher cancer hazard across physical activity intensities. However, high MVPA and VPA (approximately 500 min and 32 min per week in the top tertiles, respectively) attenuated the hazard associated with overweight and obesity. Being normal weight was not associated with a higher cancer hazard regardless of physical activity level. The results were similar, although more pronounced, when modeling cancer types strongly associated with physical activity as the outcome. High MVPA and VPA levels may attenuate the association of overweight and obesity with cancer hazard, but maintaining a normal weight seems comparatively more important than physical activity to reduce the hazard. Maintaining a healthy body weight and engaging in physical activity is needed to minimize risk of some cancer types.

Trends and Innovations in Wearable Technology for Motor Rehabilitation, Prediction, and Monitoring: A Comprehensive Review.

(1) Background: Continuous health promotion systems are increasingly important, enabling decentralized patient care, providing comfort, and reducing congestion in healthcare facilities. These systems allow for treatment beyond clinical settings and support preventive monitoring. Wearable systems have become essential tools for health monitoring, but they focus mainly on physiological data, overlooking motor data evaluation. The World Health Organization reports that 1.71 billion people globally suffer from musculoskeletal conditions, marked by pain and limited mobility. (2) Methods: To gain a deeper understanding of wearables for the motor rehabilitation, monitoring, and prediction of the progression and/or degradation of symptoms directly associated with upper-limb pathologies, this study was conducted. Thus, all articles indexed in the Web of Science database containing the terms "wearable", "upper limb", and ("rehabilitation" or "monitor" or "predict") between 2019 and 2023 were flagged for analysis. (3) Results: Out of 391 papers identified, 148 were included and analyzed, exploring pathologies, technologies, and their interrelationships. Technologies were categorized by typology and primary purpose. (4) Conclusions: The study identified essential sensory units and actuators in wearable systems for upper-limb physiotherapy and analyzed them based on treatment methods and targeted pathologies.

Adoption of telepharmacy among pharmacists, physicians, and nurses at Hawassa City Public Hospitals, Ethiopia.

Pharmaceutical care in the majority of developing countries is hindered by a lack of techniques, limitations in mobility, and a shortage of staff to provide patient care. However, there is no evidence that professionals intend to use telepharmacy in patient care. To fill this gap, this study was designed to examine whether pharmacists, physicians, and nursing professionals intend to use telepharamcy in their care practice.A cross-sectional investigation was carried out from November 29 to December 30, 2023. A study was conducted at all Hawassa public hospitals. A total of 592 Pharmacists, Physicians, and nurses participated. Simple random sampling and proportional allocation were utilized. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used, and a 5% pretest was administered. The data were entered into Epi Data 4.6 and exported to SPSS 26. The AMOS 23 SEM was also used to describe and assess the degree and significance of the relationships between variables.51.4% (304/592) (95% CI, 47.2-55.4) of the participants intended to use telepharmacy. Performance expectancy (β = 0.23, p-value <0.05), social influence (β = 0.295, p-value <0.05), and digital literacy (β = 0.309, p-value <0.001) had positive relationships with the intention to use telepharmacy. Age and gender were also moderators of performance expectancy in telepharmacy.Overall, Pharmacists', Physicians', and nurses' intentions to use telepharamcy were found to be promising for the future. Performance expectancy, social influence, and digital literacy had a significantly positive influence on the intention to use telepharamcy. Digital literacy had a more significant prediction power than others. The results could be useful in terms of designing emerging systems and understanding users' computer skills.

Доступність адміністративного судочинства: проблеми подолання дискримінації

Abstract. The article is devoted to the study of the problems of accessibility of administrative proceedings through the lens of overcoming the problems of discrimination. The principle of access to the court is key in ensuring the right to justice in the modern social and legal reality, provided for by numerous international and national norms of the constitutional and industry levels, therefore the change of certain guarantees of the judicial process causes threats to the accessibility of the judicial process. It was established that new opportunities in the field of electronic justice create a problem of discriminatory access to administrative proceedings. Guarantees of human and citizen rights and freedoms, implementation of the principle of equality and non-discrimination remain the key paradigm of modern society, legal system and practice. The position is motivated that the latest virtual capabilities should be adapted to years-tested and internationally recognized world standards. The article points out the duality of the nature of administrative proceedings, which consists in the fact that courts can act in a double role: on the one hand, they are institutional state bodies that are obliged to create fair guarantees of protection against discrimination, and on the other hand, they themselves can complicate access to justice for certain groups of people or an individual due to his protected characteristics, thus the person affected by a discriminatory situation receives secondary victimization, which additionally has a destructive effect on the legal reality and the state of law and order and trust in the authorities. A separate analysis is devoted to the problem of proper access and non-discrimination of persons with disabilities and persons with limited mobility. It is proposed to expand the list of protected features in Article 8 of the Civil Code of Ukraine in accordance with the legislative policy of preventing and combating discrimination in Ukraine, and to supplement Clause 9 of the Regulations on the Procedure for the Operation of Individual Subsystems (Modules) of the Unified Judicial Information and Telecommunication System with additional guarantees for users with impaired vision, hearing, locomotor apparatus, speech and intellectual development, as well as with various combinations of disorders. Keywords: electronic justice; administrative justice; rule of law; discrimination; persons with disabilities; protected signs.

Self-reported symptoms or activity limitations and job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Previous studies have reported the impact of a diagnosed disease or self-perceived poor overall health on job loss. However, evidence is lacking on which self-reported symptoms or activity limitations are related to job loss, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We investigated whether self-reported symptoms or activity limitations were correlated with the occurrence of job loss within 1 year during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this prospective cohort study, we used questionnaires administered to Japanese workers. A baseline survey conducted in December 2020 was used to determine workers' symptoms or activity limitations. Experiencing job loss since the baseline survey was ascertained with a follow-up survey in December 2021. The odds ratios of experiencing job loss were estimated using a logistic model with adjusted covariates. Men (n = 8682) accounted for 58% of the total sample (n = 14 910), and the respondent mean age was 48.2 years. Multivariate analysis showed that workers with pain-related problems; limited physical movement and mobility; fatigue, loss of strength or appetite, fever, dizziness and moodiness; mental health problems; sleep-related problems or eye-related matters had a greater probability of experiencing job loss owing to health reasons. Several self-reported symptoms or activity limitations can lead to job loss after 1 year, indicating that prevention and resolution of symptoms or activity limitations are important to reduce workers' risk of losing their jobs.

Justifying the structure of the improved mechanism for manual control of motor vehicles’ pedals

Due to the challenging military situation in Ukraine, the demand for tailored and flexible pedal control systems for individuals with physical disabilities is especially important. Standard pedal configurations often fail to meet the specific needs of drivers with limited mobility, making vehicle operation both difficult and potentially unsafe. The development of specialized manual control devices, such as hand-operated pedals or adjustable foot controls, is crucial for ensuring that these drivers can manage their vehicles with accuracy and safety. Such innovations not only improve accessibility but also foster greater autonomy and inclusion, empowering disabled drivers to navigate the roads with confidence and ease. This article aims to review existing prototypes of manual control mechanisms for vehicle pedals and to develop an improved device that enables simultaneous control of three pedals – accelerator, brake, and clutch – with one hand. As a result of a patent review of several existing prototypes of control mechanisms, it was concluded that the vast majority of them provide control for only two pedals – the accelerator and brake. This means they can only be used in motor vehicles with automatic transmissions or electric cars. Only a few mechanisms were designed to control three pedals, but they required using both the driver’s hands, directly affecting driving safety. Therefore, improving existing designs of the mechanisms for controlling three pedals by transferring all control functions to one hand of a driver remains relevant. The research methodology involves the use of classical methods from the theory of mechanisms and machines to conduct the structural synthesis of an improved multi-link hinge-lever mechanism and its kinematic analysis, aimed at determining the main parameters of pedals’ movements in a vehicle under various control inputs from the driver’s hand. The results obtained can be utilized by researchers and engineers to enhance manual control mechanisms for vehicle pedals and in the practical implementation processes. The prospects for future research on this topic are in developing an experimental prototype of the control mechanism and its testing and adjustment for different vehicle modifications to improve running smoothness and driving comfort and safety.

Successful Awake Fiberoptic Intubation and Ultrasound Guided Epidural Placement in Anaesthesia Management of a Case of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoimmune spondyloarthropathy involving spine and sacroiliac joints resulting in characteristic bamboo spine (fused and rigid spine). A 41yr old male patient with Ankylosing spondylitis with history of Left THR presented with periprosthetic fracture posted for ORIF with plating. He had a classical bamboo spine with cervical involvement, MPC- 3 and restricted neck mobility. Preoperative Ultrasound scan (USG) of lumbar region done to identify spinal spaces. Awake Fiberoptic Nasal intubation done to secure difficult airway and induction done with Propofol and Vecuronium. Epidural catheter inserted at L1-L2 space using paramedian approach under USG under General Anesthesia in lateral position and Epidural analgesia given with 1% Ropivacaine. Extubation was done uneventfully with Sugammadex 2mg/kg used as reversal at end of surgery. Anaesthetic challenges in AS were both difficult airway and difficult regional anesthesia which was successfully managed with detailed evaluation and planning with USG

Exploring Noncentrifugal Sugar as a Partial Replacement for White Sugar in Low Methoxyl Pectin Confectionery Gels: Impacts on Physical and Rheological Properties.

Noncentrifugal sugar (NCS) is an unrefined, dark brown sugar containing minerals and plant secondary metabolites, unlike refined white sugar (WS). This study explored using NCS in confectionary jellies as an alternative sugar. We used different concentrations of NCS and WS to prepare low methoxyl pectin (LMP) confectionery gels characterized by their physical and rheological properties along with time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) relaxometry. The strongest LMP gel, with a hardness of 0.94 N, was achieved by substituting 25% of WS with NCS at a low CaCl2 concentration (0.075 M). Gels with up to 50% WS replaced by NCS showed comparable hardness to standard LMP gels made solely with WS at a 0.15 M CaCl2 concentration, attributed to NCS's unique constituents. The NCS-WS gel exhibited the shortest T2 values (139.8 ms) and self-diffusion coefficient values (4.99 × 10-10 m2/s), indicating a denser, more cross-linked structure that restricted water mobility. These findings suggest NCS's complex role in affecting LMP gels' chemical and physical properties, highlighting its potential as a partial WS replacement in LMP gelation-based products, with an additional source of minerals and antioxidants.

First Experience with the NPseal®: A Novel Mechanically Powered Negative Pressure Dressing Applied to Colorectal Surgery Wounds.

The use of prophylactic closed-incisional negative pressure wound therapy after colorectal procedures has been shown to reduce postoperative wound complications and surgical site infection. We present our experience with a novel, closed-incision, mechanically powered negative pressure (MP-NPD) dressing after colorectal procedures. This was a prospective, single-center, single-arm observational study assessing patient reported and wound healing outcomes of colorectal surgical incisions dressed with a MP-NPD. Consecutive patients, 18years and older, that met inclusion criteria were enrolled between May 2021 and December 2021. Thirty patients were included (13 male/17 female) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 11.8years and mean body mass index of 25.5 ± 4.4kg/m2. The mean incision length covered was 3.0 ± 1.8cm. The median number of manual pinches required to initially activate the dressing with negative pressure within -75 to -125mmHg was 12 (range 7-20). Four dressings were changed (13.3%) after drainage was noted inside the pump; not including these, 88.5% (23/26) of dressings held pressure consistently without any re-pinching during the 72-h period since they were first applied in the operating room. 75.9% of patients reported the dressing was "very comfortable" and none reported the dressing restricted mobility. 79.3% of patients reported the dressing was "very easy" to use. There were no cases of major wound complication or surgical site infection within 30days. The use of MP-NPD appears to be feasible on primarily-closed colorectal incisions. Further randomized controlled study is warranted to ascertain its clinical efficacy.

Macrozoobenthic community as a bioindicator for the water quality of the Bone River, Gorontalo

The Bone River faces potential pollution due to human activities in the surrounding area. To ensure this, macrozoobenthic is used as a bioindicator, utilizing the characteristics of its constituent communities, which show sedentary behaviour, limited mobility, and sensitivity to water conditions. This research aims to examine the composition of the macrozoobenthic community which reflects the water quality of the Bone River. The research was conducted from May to August 2023 at three observation stations. Water quality evaluation used the Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI) methodology. The findings revealed a collection of 1,040 individuals representing 43 macrozoobenthic genera, with Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, and Diptera widely distributed along the river. A dominance index of 0.2 indicates that there is not a single macrozoobenthic species that dominates, while an FBI value ranging from 3.71 to 5.47 indicates that there is pollution in the Bone River.Keywords: Bioindicator; Family Biotic Index; Macrozoobenthic; River; Water quality

A dataset of paired head and eye movements during visual tasks in virtual environments

We describe a multimodal dataset of paired head and eye movements acquired in controlled virtual reality environments. Our dataset includes head and eye movement for n = 25 participants who interacted with four different virtual reality environments that required coordinated head and eye behaviors. Our data collection involved two visual tracking tasks and two visual searching tasks. Each participant performed each task three times, resulting in approximately 1080 seconds of paired head and eye movement and 129,611 data samples of paired head and eye rotations per participant. This dataset enables research into predictive models of intended head movement conditioned on gaze for augmented and virtual reality experiences, as well as assistive devices like powered exoskeletons for individuals with head-neck mobility limitations. This dataset also allows biobehavioral and mechanism studies of the variability in head and eye movement across different participants and tasks. The virtual environment developed for this data collection is open sourced and thus available for others to perform their own data collection and modify the environment.

Left atrial shape and function after endovascular and surgery atrial septal defects correction in children

Introduction. Atrial septal defects (ASD) are one of the most common congenital heart defects, accounting for about 10–15% of all congenital heart defects. Currently, endovascular treatments for ASD are considered the method of choice in most patients with secondary ASD. ASD occluders, after fixation on the atrial septum, close the shunt, eliminating the intercameral communication. However, these devices increase the stiffness of the septum, limit its mobility and presumably disrupt the mechanical function of the left atrium (LA).Aim: To study the effect of surgical and endovascular correction on the size, shape and function of the left atrium and left ventricle in children.Material and Methods. We retrospectively studied sequential echocardiograms of patients who underwent endovascular and surgical treatment of ASD in the period from 2006 to 2016 at the cardiology center in Tomsk, Russia. 756 patients with ASD were examined, 564 of them before and after endovascular closure and 192 after surgical correction. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 day to 10 years, with an average of 3.6 years in the group receiving hardware treatment and 4.2 years in the group undergoing surgery. The control group consisted of 3393 healthy patients of the same age group. Echocardiographic images were obtained using an iE33 ultrasound scanner, Philips Ultrasound. Standard echo indicators of heart sizes and volumes were evaluated, including taking into account the body surface area and deviations of the studied parameters as a percentage of the predicted norm.Results. 15 days after ASD closure, both groups showed a significant increase in the volume of the left ventricle and a decrease in the right chambers. During follow-up in the group receiving the devices, left atrial shape index (LASI) was significantly reduced, while in patients undergoing surgery, there was no significant increase in LASI. A change in the shape of the left atrium and a decrease in its volume were combined with a change in the effort in the left atrium (LAEF), determined by the Manning method.Discussion. The study showed that both endovascular and surgical methods are effective in correcting ASD and lead to favorable results with respect to left atrial function. However, there is still uncertainty about the long-term effects after implanted devices used in endovascular procedures. Although these devices offer a minimally invasive solution, there is a problem associated with increased stiffness and limited mobility of the partition. Such changes can potentially alter the normal dynamics of atrial filling and contraction, affecting the overall function of the left atrium over time.Conclusion. Endovascular correction of ASD in 35% of children was accompanied by a change in the shape of the left atrium a decrease in sphericity and an increase in ellipsoid. Changes in the shape of the left atrium persisted in 22% of patients after transcatheter correction in the long term. These changes were not accompanied by any disorders of contractility and volume of the heart chambers. In the group of children after surgical correction of ASD, the contractility and volume of the heart chambers did not significantly differ from those in the device group.