Major Predictor Research Articles

Parental support strategies and motivation in aiding their children learn the English language

Learning a language starts within the comfort of a home. Parent involvement in English language teaching serves as a brilliant step towards promoting literacy and communication among children. English has been regarded as a global language which urges parents to guide their children to be inclined toward English. With that, the purpose of this study was to determine the parental support strategies and motivation of parents in teaching the English language. Specifically, this study was qualitative research that focused on collecting narratives and experiences from parents. Eight bilingual Filipino parents, constituted 4 housewives and 4 professionals, were interviewed in the study. The findings suggested that parents see English as an important language that can direct their children towards their career path. Parents were motivated by how the English language can shape the aspirations and enthusiasm of their children. Competency, applicability, reputation, and positivity were the major predictor of the motivation of parents in teaching the English language to their children. Bilingual parents in this study were aware of their role in the language development of their children. Nevertheless, dialogic reading, correction, and educational contents were some of the characteristics of strategies. This study established a missing component of the literature specifying the role of parental support and motivation in education and language teaching.

Examining Factors Influencing the Integration of Blockchain Technology in the Freight Logistics Sector of Pakistan

This study examines the blockchain usage of Pakistan's freight logistics industry. A structural equation model is used to explore latent dimensions such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, attitude, and behavioral intention. To understand the specific factors impacting technology adoption decisions in this geographical and industrial location, a diverse sample of 245 Pakistan goods logistics sector operators will be explored. The findings reveal that perceived ease of use influences logistics professionals' behavioral intentions. The significance of clever and user-friendly interfaces emphasizes technology experiences that satisfy the expectations of Pakistani goods logistics workers. However, the perceived utility has a complicated relationship with behavioral intention, emphasizing the need for targeted actions to boost the perceived value of Blockchain technology in Pakistan's logistics business. Subjective norm is a major predictor of behavioral intention. This demonstrates how social and cultural factors influence Pakistani logistics workers' ambitions to use Blockchain. The correlation matrix and covariance analysis demonstrate that there are significant positive relationships between attitude, behavioral intention, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and subjective norm. This detailed examination of the adoption environment offers practitioners, policymakers, and academics context-specific insights, setting the framework for informed freight logistics technology adoption and innovation activities in Pakistan.

Examining Factors Influencing the Integration of Blockchain Technology in the Freight Logistics Sector of Pakistan

This study examines the blockchain usage of Pakistan's freight logistics industry. A structural equation model is used to explore latent dimensions such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, attitude, and behavioral intention. To understand the specific factors impacting technology adoption decisions in this geographical and industrial location, a diverse sample of 245 Pakistan goods logistics sector operators will be explored. The findings reveal that perceived ease of use influences logistics professionals' behavioral intentions. The significance of clever and user-friendly interfaces emphasizes technology experiences that satisfy the expectations of Pakistani goods logistics workers. However, the perceived utility has a complicated relationship with behavioral intention, emphasizing the need for targeted actions to boost the perceived value of Blockchain technology in Pakistan's logistics business. Subjective norm is a major predictor of behavioral intention. This demonstrates how social and cultural factors influence Pakistani logistics workers' ambitions to use Blockchain. The correlation matrix and covariance analysis demonstrate that there are significant positive relationships between attitude, behavioral intention, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and subjective norm. This detailed examination of the adoption environment offers practitioners, policymakers, and academics context-specific insights, setting the framework for informed freight logistics technology adoption and innovation activities in Pakistan.

Pelvic Diameter is not Associated with Positive Circumferential Resection Margin in Rectal Cancer: Retrospective Analysis of 78 Cases

Abstract Objective To identify if there is an association between pelvic entry and pelvic outlet diameters with increased positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) in rectal cancer. Introduction Positive CRM in rectal cancer is a major predictor for local and distant recurrence. Pelvic diameters may be related to the difficulty of dissection, as well as intrinsic tumor characteristics such as tumor size, location, distance from the anal margin, and T stage, which may compromise the integrity of the mesorectum and circumferential margin involvement. Methods A retrospective review of the patient's medical records who underwent surgical resection of rectal adenocarcinoma from January 2012 to June 2022 was performed. The patient's preoperative staging, operative characteristics, and histopathologic outcomes were gathered from the medical records. Preoperative MRI scanning was done in all patients. MRI pelvimetry was done by two observers. CRM involvement was recorded as stated in the pathology report. Pelvimetry variables were dichotomized according to their mean values for correlation analysis. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated from a binary logistics regression model to assess the relation between the positive CRM and the independent variables. Results A total of 78 patients were included in this study. A positive CRM was reported in 10 patients (12.8%). BMI >27.4 + 6.6 (p = 0.02), positive extramural vascular invasion (p = 0.027), positive CRM by MRI scanning (p = 0.004), and anal sphincter involvement (p = 0.03) were associated with positive CRM. Pelvimetry values were not associated with a positive CRM. Conclusion No association was found between the pelvic diameters measured by MRI pelvimetry with a positive CRM.

Explainable artificial intelligence for predicting red blood cell transfusion in geriatric patients undergoing hip arthroplasty: Machine learning analysis using national health insurance data.

This study uses machine learning and population data to analyze major determinants of blood transfusion among patients with hip arthroplasty. Retrospective cohort data came from Korea National Health Insurance Service claims data for 19,110 patients aged 65 years or more with hip arthroplasty in 2019. The dependent variable was blood transfusion (yes vs no) in 2019 and its 31 predictors were included. Random forest variable importance and Shapley Additive Explanations were used for identifying major predictors and the directions of their associations with blood transfusion. The random forest registered the area under the curve of 73.6%. Based on random forest variable importance, the top-10 predictors were anemia (0.25), tranexamic acid (0.17), age (0.16), socioeconomic status (0.05), spinal anesthesia (0.05), general anesthesia (0.04), sex (female) (0.04), dementia (0.03), iron (0.02), and congestive heart failure (0.02). These predictors were followed by their top-20 counterparts including cardiovascular disease, statin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, liver disease, solid tumor, myocardial infarction and hypertension. In terms of max Shapley Additive Explanations values, these associations were positive, e.g., anemia (0.09), tranexamic acid (0.07), age (0.09), socioeconomic status (0.05), spinal anesthesia (0.05), general anesthesia (0.04), sex (female) (0.02), dementia (0.03), iron (0.04), and congestive heart failure (0.03). For example, the inclusion of anemia, age, tranexamic acid or spinal anesthesia into the random forest will increase the probability of blood transfusion among patients with hip arthroplasty by 9%, 7%, 9% or 5%. Machine learning is an effective prediction model for blood transfusion among patients with hip arthroplasty. The high-risk group with anemia, age and comorbid conditions need to be treated with tranexamic acid, iron and/or other appropriate interventions.

Machine learning analysis for the association between breast feeding and metabolic syndrome in women

This cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate population-based machine learning models for examining the association between breastfeeding and metabolic syndrome in women. The artificial neural network, the decision tree, logistic regression, the Naïve Bayes, the random forest and the support vector machine were developed and validated to predict metabolic syndrome in women. Data came from 30,204 women, who aged 20 years or more and participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2010–2019. The dependent variable was metabolic syndrome. The 86 independent variables included demographic/socioeconomic determinants, cardiovascular disease, breastfeeding duration and other medical/obstetric information. The random forest had the best performance in terms of the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve, e.g., 90.7%. According to random forest variable importance, the top predictors of metabolic syndrome included body mass index (0.1032), medication for hypertension (0.0552), hypertension (0.0499), cardiovascular disease (0.0453), age (0.0437) and breastfeeding duration (0.0191). Breastfeeding duration is a major predictor of metabolic syndrome for women together with body mass index, diagnosis and medication for hypertension, cardiovascular disease and age.

Assessment of health risks associated with prediction of vegetable inorganic arsenic concentrations given different soil properties.

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a carcinogen. Vegetables such as water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.) and amaranth (Amaranthus mangostanus L.) are recognized as high-risk sources of iAs exposure because they can accumulate significant amounts of iAs and are widely consumed. To ensure safe cultivation conditions, this study aimed to establish prediction models for iAs concentration in the edible parts of water spinach and amaranth based on soil properties. Subsequently, health risk assessments associated with iAs exposure through the consumption of these vegetables were conducted using prediction models. Soil samples were collected from agricultural fields in Taiwan and used in the pot experiments. Pearson correlation and partial correlation analyses were used to explore the relationship between soil properties, including total As, clay, organic matter, iron oxides and available phosphates, and iAs concentration in edible parts of water spinach and amaranth. Prediction models based on soil properties were developed by stepwise multiple linear regression. Health risk assessments were conducted using the Monte Carlo algorithm. The results indicate that total As and organic matter contents in soil were major predictors of iAs concentration in water spinach, whereas those in amaranth were total As and clay contents. Therefore, higher health risks for consuming water spinach and amaranth are associated with higher levels of organic matter and clay contents in soil, respectively, and these are crucial factors to consider to ensure food safety. This study suggested that As-elevated soils enriched with organic matter and clay contents should be avoided when growing water spinach and amaranth, respectively.

Personality and Well-Being Across and Within Relationship Status.

Trends of increasing singlehood call for understanding of well-being correlates across and within relationship status. While personality is a major predictor of well-being, descriptive trait profiles of singles have not been developed. In the present research (N = 1,811; 53% men; Mage = 29), single and partnered individuals completed measures of personality and well-being, including life, relationship status, and sexual satisfaction. Results revealed effects whereby single individuals were lower in extraversion and conscientiousness but higher in neuroticism. Additional facet analyses showed that singles were lower across all extraversion facets, but specifically lower in productiveness (conscientiousness facet) and higher in depression (neuroticism facet). Largely, personality was associated with well-being similarly for single and partnered people. Furthermore, relationship status accounted for variance in well-being above and beyond personality traits. Our results suggest individual differences in personality could play an important role in understanding well-being's link with relationship status.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein among people living with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy: a systemic review and meta-analysis

The pathological consequences of inflammation persist in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), regardless of the positive outcomes of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to understand and explore the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other cardiovascular disease (CVD)-risk factors including lipid profiles among PLWH on HAART. Major electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to retrieve relevant global literature reporting on hs-CRP levels in PLWH on HAART. A total of twenty-two studies with an average participant age of 40 years were eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Majority of the included studies were from Africa (n = 11), the United States (n = 6), and Europe (n = 5). Our systemic review showed that most studies reported increased levels of hs-CRP among PLWH on HAART when compared to controls (PLWH not on HAART or those without HIV), especially in studies from Africa. This was supported by a meta-analysis showing significantly elevated levels of hs-CRP in PLWH on HAART when compared to PLWH not on HAART (standardised mean difference [SMD] = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.10‑1.01, z = 2.41; p = 0.02) or those without HIV (SMD = 1.19; 95% CI = 0.76‑1.63, z = 5.35; p < 0.001). Where lipid profiles, as a major predictor for CVD risk, were also impaired in PLWH on HAART when compared to PLWH not on HAART and HIV-negative participants. In conclusion, elevated levels of hs-CRP and lipid levels are prevalent in PLWH on HAART, this may increase the risk of CVD complications, especially for those people living in Africa. However, more evidence in larger population studies is required to confirm these outcomes and unveil any possible clinical implications of HAART-induced modulation of hs-CRP levels in PLWH.

Bunch component performance of AVROS and Yangambi population

The IOPRI oil palm breeding program has developed a total of 11 varieties through two selection cycles since 1974, using the RRS scheme. The performance of the varieties from the first and second cycles in the AVROS and Yangambi groups was compared using data from progeny test bunch analysis. The AV-02 variety from the second cycle of AVROS line showed an increase in fruit/bunch (F/B) and oil extraction rate (OER) by 0.92% and 0.50%, respectively, compared to the AV-01 variety from the first cycle. The AV-03 variety increased mesocarp/fruit (M/F) to 4.92% and OER to 1.21%. However, M/F and OER enhancement was compensated by kernel/fruit (K/F) and shell/fruit (S/F) decrease by 2.35% and 2.57%. In the Yangambi group, the YA-02 variety from the second cycle had an improved average weight bunch (AWB) of 4.00 kg or 21.4% greater than the YA-01 variety from the first cycle. The YA-02 AWB improvement was followed by an increase in M/F and K/F by 0.87% and 0.30%. The YA-03 variety had better kernel characters with a rise in K/F and S/F of 0.54% and 0.44%, and OER still increased by 0.57%, which may be due to its oil/dry mesocarp (ODM) increase. CART® analysis showed that the F/B, ODM, and M/F were the three highest predictors for OER values for all varieties, except for YA-02 with F/B, S/F, and M/F, and YA-03 with M/F, F/B, and S/F. ODM is an important consideration in the assembly of high-yielding varieties, as it is one of the three major predictor characters that affect OER values which highly inherited.

Prevalence and correlates of generalized anxiety disorder and perceived stress among Sudanese medical students

BackgroundGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) causes significant disturbance in an individual’s well-being and activity. Whereby, interfering with the dynamic progress in life. Also, anxiety is a product of stress and a major predictor of academic performance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), measure levels of anxiety and perceived stress, evaluate the academic profile, identify lifestyle characteristics, and explore the relationship between these factors.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 340 Sudanese medical students filled out online questionnaires, composed of the sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, academic profile, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 scale (GAD-2), and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 20.0 for data analysis.ResultsOf 340 medical students, 3.8% of them were diagnosed with GAD, while 29.1% scored ≥ 3 in GAD-2, indicating a possible diagnosis. The study found that 9.7% of the participants used addictive substances, with 42% of them having high GAD-2 scores. Moreover, high anxiety levels were associated with high-stress scores (p-value = 0.000). Also, high GAD-2 scores were significantly associated with students who spent less than 10,000 SDG (18 USD) weekly, spent more time on entertainment using smart devices (p-value = 0.004), and had an unhealthy diet (p-value = 0.004). Low anxiety levels were associated with better sleep quality (p-value = 0.00), satisfaction with religious practices (p-value = 0.00), and increased leisure/hobby time (p-value = 0.018). High-stress levels were observed in females (p-value = 0.035), those with lower academic performance satisfaction levels, and increased hours of smart device usage for entertainment (p-value = 0.001). Reduced stress levels were associated with being ≥ 23 years old, increased leisure/hobby time (p-value = 0.002), satisfaction with religious practices [F(3, 166.6) = 10.8, p-value = 0.00)], and having a healthy diet (p-value = 0.006).ConclusionThe low prevalence of GAD corresponded with previous literature, but 29.1% of medical students had a high probability of having GAD. The study emphasizes on providing accessible mental health services for medical students and interventions addressing modifiable risk factors.

Clinical impact of CA-125 ELIMination rate constant K (KELIM) on surgical strategy in advanced serous ovarian cancer patients

ObjectivesThe modeled CA-125 elimination constant K (KELIM) is a pragmatic early marker of tumor chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before interval surgery. The primary objective of...

Long-Term Atrioventricular Block Following Valve Surgery: Electrocardiographic and Surgical Predictors.

Bradyarrhythmia requiring pacemaker implantation among patients undergoing valve surgery may occur even after several years, with unclear predictors. Our aim was to investigate the incidence of pacemaker implantation at different follow-up times and identify associated predictors. We conducted a retrospective study evaluating 1046 consecutive patients who underwent valve surgery at the Cardiac Surgery Division of Bologna University Hospital from 2005 to 2010. During 10 ± 4 years of follow-up, 11.4% of these patients required pacemaker implantation. Interventions on both atrioventricular valves independently predicted long-term pacemaker implantation (SHR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8, p = 0.014). Preoperative atrioventricular conduction disease strongly predicted long-term atrioventricular block, with right bundle branch block as the major predictor (SHR 7.0, 95% CI 3.9-12.4, p < 0.001), followed by left bundle branch block (SHR 4.9, 95% CI 2.4-10.1, p < 0.001), and left anterior fascicular block (SHR 3.9, 95% CI 1.8-8.3, p < 0.001). Patients undergoing valvular surgery have a continuing risk of atrioventricular block late after surgery until the 12-month follow-up, which was clearly superior to the rate of atrioventricular block observed at long-term. Pre-operative atrioventricular conduction disease and combined surgery on both atrioventricular valves are strong predictors of atrioventricular block requiring pacemaker implantation.

Pattern and predictors of non-adherence to diabetes self-management recommendations among patients in peripheral district of Bangladesh.

This study was designed to determine the extent of non-adherence to the different dimensions of diabetes self-management and to identify the factors influencing non-adherence among peripheral patients in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 990 adult diabetic patients residing in Thakurgaon district, Bangladesh. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews including socio-demographic information, disease and therapeutic, health services, knowledge and adherence to self-management components. The proportion of non-adherence to drug prescription was 66.7%, dietary regimen (68.9%), physical exercise (58.0%), follow-up visit/blood glucose test (88.2%), stopping tobacco (50.6%), and regular foot care (93.9%). Significant predictors for non-adherence to drug were poorest socio-economic status (OR = 2.47), absence of diabetic complications (OR = 1.43), using non-clinical therapy (OR = 5.61), and moderate level of knowledge (OR = 1.87). Non-adherence to dietary recommendations was higher for women (OR = 1.72), poorest socio-economic status (OR = 3.17), and poor technical knowledge (OR = 4.68). Non-adherence to physical exercise was lower for women (OR = 0.62), combined family (OR = 0.63), middle socio-economic status (OR = 0.54), and moderate knowledge on physical exercise (OR = 0.55). Non-adherence to follow-up visits/blood glucose test was higher among patients who did not have diabetic complications (OR = 1.81) and with own transport (OR = 2.57), and respondents from high-income group (OR = 0.23) were less likely to be non-adherent. Non-adherence to stopping tobacco was higher for older individuals (OR = 1.86); but lower for women (OR = 0.48), individuals with higher education level (OR = 0.17) and patients sick for a longer time (OR = 0.52). Non-adherence to foot care was higher for patients who needed longer time to go to hospital (OR = 4.07) and had poor basic knowledge on diabetes (OR = 17.80). An alarmingly high proportion of diabetic patients did not adhere to diabetes self-management. Major predictors for non-adherence were related to patient's demographic characteristics and their experience with disease, treatment and health care services.

Evaluation of Nutritional Interventions in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the structured dietary intervention in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and improving associated metabolic health indicators. We included 530 participants randomly assigned to an intervention group with a Mediterranean-style diet and a control group with generic dietary guidelines. The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was the primary outcome, whereas changes in fasting plasma glucose, lipid profiles, and body composition were the secondary outcomes. After 24 months, the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was significantly lower among participants in the intervention group than those in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels were decreased (P &lt; 0.05), and high-density lipoprotein levels were increased among participants in the intervention group than in those in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Also, body weight, blood pressure, and body mass index, major negative predictors of fasting glucose levels, were significantly decreased in participants in the intervention group than in those in the control group (P &lt; 0.05), irrespective of other covariates. Dietary intervention substantially reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and improved glycemic control, lipid profiles, and overall metabolic health.

Psychological status of women with miscarriage

Introduction. During pregnancy, a woman becomes vulnerable to develop symptoms of depression and anxiety, which in turn are associated with increased risk of perinatal complications, postpartum depression as well as behavioral problems in children.Aim: to assess the prevalence of symptoms related to depression and anxiety in pregnant women with threatened abortion (ТА), non-developing pregnancy (NP) as well as those with physiological course of pregnancy (РР) in the first trimester of pregnancy; to reveal major predictors of psycho-emotional disorders in pregnant women.Materials and Methods. Three groups of pregnant women were stratified: 62 patients with TA, 60 patients with NP and 57 women with PP. Clinical history and physical examination were performed in all subjects. All pregnant women were assessed by Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory.Results. It was found that the mean Beck’s score was significantly higher in NP vs. TA and PP groups (p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, significant differences were also observed while comparing TA and PP groups (p = 0.037). Clinically important depression was found in 3.3 % NP women and in 1.6 % TA women. Preclinical depression was found in 13 % and 6.5 % women with NP and TA, respectively. The mean Hamilton scale score was significantly higher in NP vs. PP group (p &lt; 0.05), but was comparable with that in TA group (p &gt; 0.05). The mean score on the anxiety scale was significantly higher in TA vs. PP group (p = 0.001). Clinically significant mild to moderate anxiety was found in 4.9 % and 1.6 % TA and NP women, respectively. Mild anxiety symptoms were noted in 35.5 % of women with TA, 38.3 % of women with NP, and 15.7 % of women with PP. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that a burdened obstetric history and the duration of the patient hospital stay had the strongest association with symptoms of depression and anxiety.Conclusion. Symptoms of prenatal anxiety and depression are widespread and should be identified in a timely manner. Psychological counseling and testing of pregnant women should be included into recommendations for pregnancy management.

Weight change following diagnosis with psychosis: a retrospective cohort study in Greater Manchester, UK

IntroductionWeight gain in the months/years after diagnosis/treatment of severe enduring mental illness (SMI) is a major predictor of future diabetes, dysmetabolic profile and increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. There is limited data on the longer-term profile of weight change in people with a history of SMI and how this may differ between individuals. We here report a retrospective study on weight change over the 5 years following an SMI diagnosis in Greater Manchester UK, an ethnically and culturally diverse community, with particular focus on comparing non-affective psychosis (NAP) vs affective psychosis (AP) diagnoses.MethodsWe undertook an anonymised search in the Greater Manchester Care Record (GMCR). We reviewed the health records of anyone who had been diagnosed for the first time with first episode psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder (non-affective psychosis = NAP) or affective psychosis (AP). We analysed body mass index (BMI) change in the 5-year period following the first prescription of antipsychotic medication. All individuals had taken an antipsychotic agent for at least 3 months. The 5-year follow-up point was anywhere between 2003 and 2023.ResultsWe identified 9125 people with the diagnoses above. NAP (n = 5618; 37.3% female) mean age 49.9 years; AP (n = 4131; 60.5% female) mean age 48.7 years. 27.0% of NAP were of non-White ethnicity vs 17.8% of AP individuals. A higher proportion of people diagnosed with NAP were in the highest quintile of social disadvantage 52.4% vs 39.5% for AP. There were no significant differences in baseline BMI profile. In a subsample with HbA1c data (n = 2103), mean HbA1c was higher in NAP at baseline (40.4 mmol/mol in NAP vs 36.7 mmol/mol for AP). At 5-year follow-up, there was similarity in both the overall % of individuals in the obese ≥ 30 kg/m2 category (39.8% NAP vs 39.7% AP), and % progressing from a normal healthy BMI transitioned to obese/overweight BMI (53.6% of NAP vs 55.6% with AP). 43.7% of those NAP with normal BMI remained at a healthy BMI vs 42.7% with AP. At 5-year follow-up for NAP, 83.1% of those with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 stayed in this category vs 81.5% of AP.ConclusionThe results of this real-world longitudinal cohort study suggest that the changes in BMI with treatment of non-affective psychosis vs bipolar disorder are not significantly different, while 43% maintain a healthy weight in the first 5 years following antipsychotic prescription.

Hyperglycemia and elevated C-reactive protein are independent predictors of hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in South-Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: A cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was a priority public health problem because of its high mortality rate. This study mainly aimed to determine factors associated with a poor outcome in COVID-19 hospitalized patients in South-Kivu, an eastern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This observational study retrospectively evaluated medical records of patients consecutively admitted for probable or confirmed COVID-19 between May 01 and July 31, 2020 at the Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu (HPGRB), a tertiary hospital located in South-Kivu. A binary logistic regression model was performed to determine the predictors of mortality. A total of 157 hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged 57.7 (13.2) years were included in this study. Male gender (69.4%), older age (52.9%), medical history of diabetes (38.2%), and arterial hypertension (35.1%) were the most frequent risk factors. Most patients presented with fever (73.3%), cough (72.6%), and dyspnea (66.2%). Overall, 45.1% of patients died. Intrahospital mortality was significantly associated with advanced age [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI) = 2.34 (1.06-5.38)], hypoxemia [OR (95% CI) = 4.67 (2.02-10.77)], hyperglycemia [OR (95% CI) = 2.14 (1.06-4.31)], kidney failure [OR (95% CI) = 2.82 (1.4-5.68)], hyperleukocytosis [OR (95% CI) = 3.33 (1.67-6.66)], and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels [OR (95% CI) = 3.93 (1.93-8.01)]. After adjustment for various covariates, only higher CRP levels [OR (95% CI) = 3.23 (1.23-8.5)] and hyperglycemia [OR (95% CI) = 2.5 (1.02-6.11)] at admission were independently associated with mortality. Hyperglycemia and marked inflammatory syndrome were the major predictors of poor outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in South-Kivu. These two factors should be quantified at hospital admission to establish the patient's prognosis.

Clinicopathologic Study of Sickle Cell-associated Kidney Disease: A Nigerian Experience.

Improvements in sickle cell disease (SCD) care have resulted in the survival of many patients into adulthood, although this is accompanied by the increased incidence of end-organ damage, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study assessed the prevalence, pattern and predictors of renal dysfunction in SCD patients and investigated the associated renal histopathologic changes. We evaluated 105 patients with SCD, for proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and tubular dysfunction. Renal biopsy was conducted on 22 patients who qualified. Data were analysed using SPSS package version 23. Thirty-seven (35.2%) of the 105 patients had CKD, as defined by an eGFR of 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and/or proteinuria. The fractional excretion of potassium (FEK) was elevated in all patients, whereas the fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) was elevated in 98.1%. Glomerular filtration rate was negatively correlated with irreversible percentage sickle cell count (r = -0.616, P = 0.0001), FEK (r = -0.448, P = 0.0001) and FENa (r = -0.336, P = 0.004). Age, irreversible percentage sickle cell count, haemoglobin levels and FENa were the major predictors of CKD. The histological pattern in the 22 patients who had biopsies was consistent with mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis 11 (50%), minimal change disease 6 (27.3%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 3 (13.6%) and interstitial nephritis 2 (9.1%). CKD was prevalent in SCD patients, and it was characterised by tubular dysfunction and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. The main predictors of CKD were increased age, severity of vaso-occlusive crisis, worsening anaemia and tubular dysfunction.

Verbal episodic memory in children undergoing temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: a one-year follow-up study.

Verbal episodic memory (VEM) is often unimpaired in children with focal epilepsy undergoing left temporal lobe resections, unlike what we might expect in the adult brain. The latter findings suggest that epileptiform activity in early life disrupts memory system lateralization, leading to the development of bilateral memory representation. The present study aims to analyze whether the laterality of epilepsy is a major predictor for post-operative VEM prognosis in pediatric temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery. This research also pretends to provide evidence about the relationship of VEM performance with other relevant demographical and clinical factors such as sex, age at onset of seizures, age at surgery and duration of epilepsy, as well as to study the impact of presurgical VEM performance on postsurgical outcomes. Pre-operative and one-year follow-up post-operative word-list recall scores from 25 children who underwent TLE surgery (left-sided, n = 11; right-sided, n = 14) were extracted from the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu database and were retrospectively analyzed. No significant presurgical intergroup differences were found when comparing VEM scores by laterality of epilepsy (p > 0.5). Looking at the left TLE group, a high negative correlation was found between the onset age and the pre-operative long-term free recall score (rho = -0.72, p = 0.01). No significant pre- to post-operative intragroup changes were found regarding VEM performance, regardless of epilepsy laterality (left TLE group, p > 0.56; right TLE group, p > 0.12). The laterality of epilepsy does not show to be a significant factor in and of itself regarding presurgical VEM outcome and its prognosis one year after surgery, thus supporting the bilateral memory representation hypothesis. Furthermore, a younger age at onset of seizures seems to be related with a better pre-operative VEM performance, likely due to a more efficient reorganization of memory system induced by a greater brain plasticity at lower ages; however, this relationship has been only reported for the left-sided epilepsies in our sample.