Study Participants Research Articles

Emergency Department Food Insecurity Screening, Food Voucher Distribution and Utilization: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: Food insecurity is a prevalent social risk among emergency department (ED) patients. Patients who may benefit from food insecurity resources may be identified via ED-based screening; however, many patients experience difficulty accessing resources after discharge. Co-locating resources in or near the ED may improve utilization by patients, but this approach remains largely unstudied. This study characterized the acceptance and use of a food voucher redeemable at a hospital food market for patients who screened positive for food insecurity during their ED visit. Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted at a single county-funded ED, included consecutive adult patients who presented on weekdays between 8 AM–8 PM from July–October 2022 and consented to research participation. We excluded patients who required resuscitation on arrival or could not provide written informed consent in English. Study participants completed a paper version of the two-question Hunger Vital Sign screening tool, administered by research staff. Participants who screened positive received a uniquely numbered $30 food voucher redeemable at the hospital’s co-located food market. Voucher redemption was quantified through regular evaluation of market receipt records at 30-day intervals. The primary outcome was the proportion of redeemed vouchers. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of participants screening positive for food insecurity, proportion of participants accepting vouchers, and associated descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 396 eligible individuals approached, 377 (95.2%) consented and completed food insecurity screening. Most were middle-aged (median 53 years, interquartile range 30–58 years), 191 were female (50.4%), 242 were Black (63.9%), and 343 were non-Hispanic (91.0%). Of the participants, 228 (60.2%) screened positive for food insecurity and 224 received vouchers (98.2%), of which 86 were redeemed (38.4%) a median of nine days after the ED visit. Conclusion: A high proportion of participants screened positive for food insecurity and accepted food vouchers; however, less than half of all vouchers were redeemed at the co-located food market. These results imply ED food voucher distribution for food insecurity is feasible, but co-location of resources alone may be insufficient in addressing the social risk and alludes to a limited understanding of facilitators and barriers to resource utilization following ED-based social needs screening.

Assessment of General Population Understanding and Awareness of Drug Addiction before and after a Health Educational Campaign in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: An awareness campaign was carried out in Taif City to increase awareness about substance abuse and its dangers. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign in enhancing the study participants’ awareness and knowledge about drug addiction. Methods: Using pre- and post-campaign surveys, we assessed the campaign’s impact on participants’ understanding of drug addiction. The survey included demographic items, followed by 12 items for awareness, rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with the total scores ranging up to 60. Results: A total of 146 visitors, with a mean age of 33.4 years (SD = 9.2), completed both the pre- and post-questionnaires. Notably, in the post-campaign, 47.3% of the participants acknowledged the risk of IV drug-related infections, a substantial increase from 28.1% from the pre-campaign. Overall, the mean total awareness score increased significantly, from 47.4 (SD = 6.6) pre-campaign to 50.4 (SD = 6.4) post-campaign (paired t = −4.052, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of such campaigns to significantly improve understanding and awareness of drug addiction.

Length of stay and associated factors among pediatric patients in the pediatric emergency unit of the Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundLength of stay in the emergency department is used as a quality indicator to gauge the overall efficiency of emergency care. The performance measure was used to evaluate the quality of care provided in the emergency department.ObjectiveTo assess the length of stay and associated factors among pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric emergency unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based prospective cross-sectional study design was employed. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected via semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires and chart reviews. Analysis was performed via the Statistical Package for Social Science software version 27. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify variables associated with the length of stay. The study was conducted in the Pediatric Emergency Unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from March 15 to April 15, 2023.ResultsA total of 268 patients participated in the study, with a response rate of 97.81%. The majority of the participants were male (157, 58.6%), with a median age of 3 years. The study revealed that 180 participants (67.2%) experienced a prolonged length of stay. The variables significantly associated with prolonged length of stay included residency (AOR = 2.04, CI: 1.03, 4.025), triage category (AOR = 3.25, CI: 1.08, 5.974), number of investigations (AOR = 2.381, CI: 1.038, 5.462), and waiting for imaging (AOR = 4.230, CI: 1.638, 10.93).ConclusionMany pediatric patients stayed in the emergency room for more than 24 h because of factors such as residency, triage category, number of investigations, and the need for imaging. To address this, we recommend streamlining triage processes, increasing imaging resources, providing additional staff training, developing integrated care pathways, and advocating for policy changes to increase emergency room efficiency and improve patient outcomes.

Eye care service utilization and associated factors among adults in Debre Berhan Town, North Shewa, Ethiopia, 2023

IntroductionGlobally, the utilization of eye care services varies widely, ranging from 18 to 90%. Low utilization of eye care services can lead to delayed detection of vision problems. However, there are limited data on the proportion of eye care service utilization and its associated factors in Ethiopia at the community level.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the proportion of eye care service utilization and its associated factors among adults in Debre Birhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia.MethodsUsing a multistage sampling method, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 960 adults in Debre Birhan town from 8 May to 8 June 2023. Binary logistic regression was performed. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsA total of 940 study participants participated, resulting in a response rate of 97.9%. The mean age of the participants was 54.67 years (SD ± 8.69). The proportion of good-level eye care service utilization was found to be 32.98% [95% confidence interval (CI): 29.97, 35.99]. Factors positively associated with good-level eye care service utilization included older age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.00, 2.51], higher educational status (AOR = 2.25, 95%CI: 1.25, 4.06), high family monthly income (AOR = 8.70, 95%CI: 4.99,15.18), awareness of regular eye checkups (AOR = 1.77, 95%CI: 1.15, 2.73), a history of eye disease (AOR = 2.57, 95%CI: 1.77,3.74), health insurance (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.95), and history of spectacle use (AOR = 1.94, 95%CI:1.34, 2.80).ConclusionThe study revealed that the proportion of good-level eye care service utilization was low. Older age, higher educational status, high family monthly income, awareness of regular eye checkups, a history of eye disease, health insurance, and history of spectacle use were significantly associated with a good level of eye care service utilization.

OSA Symptom Subtypes and Hypoxic Burden Independently Predict Distinct Cardiovascular Outcomes

Study ObjectivesStudies on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have identified clinically relevant symptom-based subtypes and novel OSA-specific nocturnal hypoxic measures. Both traits are individually associated with cardiovascular outcomes, but evidence about their independent or shared effects is unknown. This study investigated the simultaneous contributions of OSA symptom subtypes and hypoxic burden (HB) on incident cardiovascular outcomes.MethodsSleep Heart Health Study participants with high-quality oxygen saturation, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and symptom data were included. Participants with OSA (AHI≥5 events/hour) were grouped into symptom subtypes. HB was calculated from respiratory event-related hypoxia. Cox proportional hazards models assessed whether symptom subtypes and/or HB were independently associated with cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).Results4396 participants free of cardiovascular disease were analyzed, with median follow-up >11 years. Higher HB was associated with worse cardiovascular mortality (HR [95% CI]: 1.63 [1.13,2.35]; p=0.009) independently of symptom subtypes. Compared to those without OSA, the excessively sleepy OSA subtype had higher risk of incident MACE (1.62 [1.23,2.15]; p<0.001), independently of HB. Among participants with moderate-severe OSA (AHI ≥15 events/hour), excessively sleepy participants had higher risk of cardiovascular endpoints compared to other subtypes, but HB was not associated with cardiovascular mortality or MACE risk.ConclusionOSA symptom subtypes and HB are independently associated with MACE and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Thus, both are important for understanding OSA-related cardiovascular risk. Future studies using clinical samples including OSA therapy information that incorporate symptom subtypes and novel biomarkers, such as HB, could improve predictive models for cardiovascular disease risk.

SMArt Retro study: a retrospective data analysis of the Russian registry of patients with spinal muscular atrophy

Background. Existing registries of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) 5q serve as a valuable source of information on identified patients. Information on the characteristics of Russian patients with SMA 5q and the therapy administered in real clinical practice is currently limited.Aim. To describe a cohort of Russian patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SMA 5q and to evaluate patient routing data in real clinical practice settings in Russia.Materials and methods. The present study was a descriptive non-interventional retrospective cohort study in patients diagnosed with SMA 5q who were enrolled in the Russian patient registry between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023. Study participants who met the inclusion criteria were automatically identified in the integrated database of the SMA 5q patient registry. Data were uploaded into validated electronic charts, verified and analyzed using descriptive statistics methods. Results. As of March 31, 2023, the Russian SMA registry contained information on 1408 patients from all federal districts and obtained epidemiological, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients, as well as routes to diagnosis and treatment regimens for patients. The median time from disease onset to confirmed diagnosis was 3 months in patients with SMA type 1, 9 months in patients with SMA type 2, 20 months in patients with SMA type 3 and 68 months in patients with SMA type 4. The median time from confirmed diagnosis to the start of disease-modifying therapy was 0.5 months in SMA patients identified by neonatal screening, 21 months in patients with SMA type 1, 59 months in patients with SMA type 2, 47 months in patients with SMA type 3 and 87 months in patients with SMA type 4.Conclusion. This retrospective analysis was carried out in order to identify recent approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of SMA used in real-world clinical practice in Russia. The identified parameters (duration from the disease onset to confirmed diagnosis, duration from the confirmed diagnosis to disease-modifying therapy initiation) indicate that more widespread use of newborn screening and more rapid treatment initiation are unmet needs for SMA patients in Russia.

PORTRAIT OF TEACHING ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOL UNDER KURIKULUM MERDEKA

The changes in the national curriculum in Indonesia have been regular since the independence. It is an action taken to improve the quality of education given the demands of both era and society as well as a preparation of more competitive outcomes. This study concerns teachers' perceptions of the current curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka). It is important to see how it is going in the practical field, particularly in teaching English in primary schools. This study employed a case study design where Six English teachers from six different schools in Kuningan, West Java, Indonesia took part as participants in the current study. They were interviewed in two modes, onsite and online, to share their views regarding the Merdeka curriculum implementation. The data from the interviews were analyzed through qualitative analysis. The result shows that both schools and policymakers have done several aspects regarding the implementation. Meanwhile, along with its implementation, the challenges exist including time allotment, students’ proficiency, and students' motivation, Therefore, the findings should be taken seriously, to improve the quality of teaching English at the primary level.

Norms for neuropsychological tests in cognitively healthy French oldest old adults.

Normal aging often leads to cognitive decline, and oldest old people, over 80 years old, have a 15% risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it is important to have appropriate tools to assess cognitive function in old age. The study aimed to provide new norms for neuropsychological tests used to evaluate the cognitive abilities in people aged 80 years and older in France, focusing on the impact of education and gender differences. 107 healthy participants with an average age of 85.2 years, with no neurological history or major cognitive deficits were included. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was performed, covering several cognitive functions such as memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, processing speed, and praxis. Individuals with lower levels of education performed poorly on some tests and took longer to complete. Gender differences were observed, with women outperforming men in verbal episodic memory, while men showed better performance in visuoconstructive tasks. The participants showed lower performance in verbal episodic memory compared to norms established in previous French studies. In relation to executive functions, participants were slower to perform complex tasks than participants in previous studies. This study provides cognitive norms specifically adapted to the oldest old population, which differ from established norms for younger aging adults. It highlights the importance of including these norms in future clinical and scientific investigations. The findings underscore the importance of education on cognitive abilities and emphasize the need to consider gender differences when assessing cognitive functions in aging populations.

Socioecologies in shaping migrants and refugee youths’ sexual and reproductive health and rights: a participatory action research study

ObjectiveThis study explores socioecological factors facilitating the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) experiences of migrant and refugee youth (MRY) in Greater Western Sydney, Australia. MRY may be at higher risk for poorer SRH outcomes due to cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers.MethodsUsing participatory action research, 17 focus groups were conducted with 87 MRY aged 15–29 from diverse cultural backgrounds. Data were analysed thematically, using socioecological framework.ResultsKey facilitators of MRY's SRHR were identified at the microsystem and exosystem levels, including (1) Peer dynamics and support, with friends serving as trusted confidants and sources of advice; (2) Safety and contraceptive choices, highlighting the importance of access to contraception and STI prevention; and (3) Digital platforms for SRHR information access, with online resources filling knowledge gaps.ConclusionFindings suggest the need for SRHR interventions to leverage peer support networks, expand access to contraceptive options, and develop culturally appropriate digital resources for MRY. Further research is needed to identify and enhance facilitators across all socioecological levels to comprehensively support MRY's SRHR needs.

Frequency of "Poor Transporter" Phenotype Among Patients with Mental Disorders: Pilot Study

The problem of psychopharmacotherapy safety is actively studied, but remains unresolved, despite the development of new generations of psychotropic drugs (PDs). Neurotoxic adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the leading causes of pseudo-resistance of mental disorders and patient disability. The development of neurotoxic ADRs is genetically determined, and caused by a slowdown in the efflux of PDs from the brain into the blood through the blood-brain barrier. Of the three transport proteins involved in the efflux of PDs, the most clinically significant and studied is glycoprotein P, encoded by the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene. This transport protein is involved in the efflux of a large number of PDs used in real clinical practice of a psychiatrist. Objective: To study the frequency of the non-functional allele 3435T of the single-nucleotide variant rs1045642 of the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene in patients with mental disorders living in the Northwestern region of the Russia. Methods: The study included 71 Caucasians patients with mental disorders (34 male and37 female). Mean age of the study participants was 35.1±16 years). Real-time polymerase chain reaction used for pharmacogenetic testing. Results: The frequency of the nonfunctional homozygous genotype 3435TT (phenotype "poor transporter") was 19.7%, and the frequency of the low-functional heterozygous genotype 3435CT (phenotype "intermediate transporter") was 57.7%. The allelic frequency of T rs1045642 of the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene in Caucasians patients with mental disorders living in the Northwestern region of the Russia was 97.1%. Conclusions: The frequency the nonfunctional allele 3435T of the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene associated with a slowdown in PDs efflux through BBB in patients with mental disorders living in the Northwestern region of the Russia is high, which explains the need for a wider introduction of this method of personalized medicine into real psychiatric practice.

Olfaction and thyroid hormones in patients with subjective cognitive decline, non-amnestic and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Thyroid hormones may affect olfaction in different stages of cognitive impairment: subjective cognitive decline (SCD), non-amnestic (naMCI) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Additionally, biometric parameters, depression, and neuropsychological performance are considered as possible influencing factors. Aretrospective single-center data analysis was conducted during the observation period 2001-2023, with n = 495 (52.3% female) SCD, naMCI and aMCI subjects, aged ≥50years, at the General Hospital of Vienna. The criterion olfactory function was objectively measured by Sniffin' Sticks© odor identification and subjectively through the Assessment of Self-Reported Olfactory Functioning test. Serum thyroid hormone levels, mainly thyroid-stimulating hormone, as well as T3, T4, fT3, and fT4, were used to assess thyroid function. Statistical analyses using IBM SPSS® 29.0.0 covered adjusted multiple linear regression models with hierarchical blocks to predict olfactory performance considering β‑weights. Of the study participants, 4.2% had hypothyroidism and 2.4% had hyperthyroidism. The majority exhibited normal thyroid function. One third (33.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI 29.4-37.0%) were hyposmic. The results indicate no substantial association between thyroid and olfactory functions. Increasing age (β = 0.20), lower performance in the Neuropsychological Test Battery Vienna (NTBV) dimensions verbal memory (β = -0.33) and attention (β = -0.12) appear to be risk factors for lower olfaction. Adiscrepancy between subjective and objective olfaction was found. Thyroid and olfactory functions had no substantial relationship. Higher fT4 correlated weakly with lower odor identification. Increasing age and decreased performance in two out of six NTBV dimensions are relevant prognostic factors for olfactory dysfunction.

Cardiovascular health, measured using Life's Essential 8, is associated with reduced dementia risk among older men and women.

Dementia poses considerable challenges to healthy aging. Prevention and management of dementia are essential given the lack of effective treatments for this condition. A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 928 InCHIANTI study participants (55% female) aged 65 years and older without dementia at baseline. Cardiovascular health (CVH) was assessed by the "Life's Essential 8" (LE8) metric that included health behaviors (diet, physical activity, smoking status, sleep duration) and health factors (body mass index, blood lipid, blood glucose, blood pressure). This new LE8 metric scores from 0 to 100, with categorization including "low LE8" (0-49), indicating low CVH, "moderate LE8 (50-79)", indicating moderate CVH, and "high LE8 (80-100)", indicating high CVH. Dementia was ascertained by a combination of neuropsychological testing and clinical assessment at each follow-up visit. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between CVH at baseline and risk of incident dementia after a median follow-up of 14 years. Better CVH (moderate/high LE8 vs. low LE8) was inversely associated with the risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.83, p = 0.001). Compared with health factors, higher scores of the health behaviors (per 1 standard deviation [SD]), specifically weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time (per 1 SD), were significantly associated with a lower risk of incident dementia (health behaviors: HR:0.84, CI:0.73-0.96, p = 0.01; physical activity: HR: 0.62, CI: 0.53-0.72, p < 0.001). While longitudinal studies with repeated measures of CVH are needed to confirm these findings, improving CVH, measured by the LE8 metric, may be a promising dementia prevention strategy.

CPR Memory and Skill Degradation Among Non-Allied Healthcare Professionals

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a lifesaving technique that is useful in many emergencies, such as a heart attack, stroke, choking, or drowning, in which someone’s breathing and heartbeat have stopped.Under the guidelines put forth by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Organization (ECC), the American Red Cross and American Heart Association currently require that an individual’s CPR certification be renewed every two years. However, data has suggested that non-allied healthcare providers, such as school-based personnel, may require more regular training to maintain required CPR proficiency levels. Four hundred non-allied healthcare professionals from a school district in central Georgia were CPR-certified under the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart-Saver curriculum. Participants included 153 males and 247 females from elementary, middle, and high school settings. Participants included administrators, teachers, coaches, and staff. Two tenured college professors from the School of Health and Human Performance were responsible for teaching and certifying study participants. Each of these professors possessed a minimum of five years of CPR certification experience with the American Heart Association. Course sizes were limited to 12-15 participants. All CPR certification courses were implemented under standardized, controlled circumstances. Following the initial certification, twenty-five percent of participants were randomly selected to be reassessed at either three, six, nine, or twelve months, respectively, to determine memory and skill degradation rates and patterns. Degradation of declarative and procedural knowledge was observed during subsequent retest sessions at each of the three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-month marks. Scores depreciated approximately 10% each three-month retesting period, to 88%, 79%, 69%, and 57%, respectively. Data suggest that after six months, participants failed to meet the AHA standards for demonstrating acceptable declarative and procedural knowledge related to CPR implementation. Due to the observed degradation in both declarative and procedural knowledge, it is apparent that a more periodic training and recertification process in CPR is required for school-based personnel. A more consistent and periodic approach to preparing school-based first responders may prove beneficial in maintaining CPR proficiency rates, which very well could save lives.

Sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among high school students in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionSeveral studies have been done on the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by high school students in Ethiopia, but they have yielded inconsistent results. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which high school students in Ethiopia are using sexual and reproductive health services by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsVarious electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, AJOL, Google Scholar, and Grey Literature were used to search for relevant articles. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines were followed for this review and meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and Cochrane Q statistical tests, and data analysis was done with STATA 17 software. Random effect meta-analyses were used to determine the overall utilization rate of sexual and reproductive health services.ResultThis review included 20 studies with 12, 215 study participants. The pooled magnitude of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among high school students in Ethiopia was 29.79% (95% CI: 25.14, 34.43). Students with grades 11–12 (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.39, 3.90), aged between 20 and 24 years (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.79–3.81), having higher level of knowledge towards sexual and reproductive health issues (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.67–5.77), previous history of sexual intercourse (AOR = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.59–6.75), previous history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR = 3.74; 95% CI: 2.22–6.31), presence of a reproductive health service facility in the school (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.72–3.77), and ever-discussed reproductive health issues (AOR = 4.04; 95% CI: 1.62–10.03) were more likely to utilize sexual and reproductive health services.ConclusionsThe overall utilization of sexual and reproductive services among high school students in Ethiopia was found to be low as compared to SDG 3.7. Older individuals with higher education levels and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health services, as well as those who have had previous sexual experiences or discussions about sexual health, are more likely to utilize reproductive health services. To increase utilization, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education should prioritize these factors.

Evaluating video and hybrid group consultations in general practice: mixed-methods, participatory study protocol (TOGETHER 2)

Background General practice is facing an unprecedented challenge in managing the consequences of the pandemic. In the midst of a policy drive to balance remote and in-person service provision, substantial workload pressures remain, together with increasing prevalence of long-term conditions, and declining staff numbers and morale. To address these challenges, some practices in the UK have been delivering video and hybrid group consultations (VHGCs) providing clinical care to multiple patients at the same time. Despite positive initial findings and enthusiasm, there are still gaps in our understanding of the influence VHGCs have on patient experience, healthcare utilisation, quality, safety, equity and affordability. Objectives To generate an in-depth understanding of VHGCs for chronic conditions in general practice, surface assumptions and sociotechnical dynamics, inform practice and extend theorisation. Methods Mixed-methods, multi-site research study using co-design and participatory methods, from qualitative, quantitative and cost-related perspectives. WP1 includes a national, cross-sectional survey on VHGC provision across the UK. In WP2 we will engage patients and general practice staff in co-design workshops to develop VHGC models with emphasis on digital inclusion and equity. In WP3 we will carry out a mixed-methods process evaluation in up to 10 GP practices across England (5 sites already running VHGCs and 5 comparison sites). Qualitative methods will include interviews, focus groups and ethnographic observation to examine the experiences of patients, carers, clinical and non-clinical NHS staff, commissioners and policy-makers. Quantitative methods will examine the impact of VHGCs on healthcare utilisation in primary and secondary care, patient satisfaction, engagement and activation. We will also assess value for money of group and individual care models from a health economics perspective. Conclusions We aim to develop transferable learning on sociotechnical change in healthcare delivery, using VHGCs as an exemplar of technology-supported innovation. Findings will also inform the design of a future study.

Effects of Dance Music on Motor Skills and Balance in Children: An Observational Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, children in Japan were restricted from sports and outdoor activities. Regular physical activity is essential for healthy growth and development in children, with recommendations advocating for activities such as strength training. However, the long-term effects of the restrictions have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an “exercise class”, specifically a dance program, designed to improve motor function in elementary school children affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which may have compromised their motor function. Methods: The dance program was developed by a sports science teacher, a professional dancer, and a physical therapist, and it was evaluated in a community-based participatory study. Trained dance instructors conducted one-hour dance sessions in a medical center, held once a week for two months from June to August 2023. A physical therapist and dance instructors led the elementary school children. Outcome measures included grip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, back muscle strength, dynamic balance function during movement, physical activity time, and body fat percentages. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: Twenty-four children aged 6–9 years participated in the exercise class over a two-month period. Improvement was observed in grip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, and dynamic balance function during movement. However, physical activity time, body fat percentages, and back muscle strength did not change. Conclusions: The results indicated a significant improvement in motor skills. Dance is an inexpensive program that elementary school children can enjoy while improving their motor skills.

Changes in BDNF Concentration in Men after Foam Roller Massage

Massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy practiced since ancient times. Nowadays, it is used in sports practice, recovery from injury, or supportive therapy for various conditions. The practice of massage uses a variety of instruments that facilitate massaging while relieving the stress on the masseur. One of them is a foam roller. Although roller massage is widely used, there are still no scientific studies describing the biological mechanisms of its effects on the body. The purpose of our study was to analyze the effect of roller massage on BDNF levels in men undergoing self-massage 4x/week/7 weeks. The control group consisted of men who did not perform self-massage. Before the test and after the first, third, fifth, and seventh weeks of self-massage, the study participants’ blood was drawn, the serum BDNF was determined, and the results were subjected to analysis of variance by ANOVA test. After the first week of self-massage, an increase in BDNF concentration was observed in the self-massage group compared to the control group (p = 0.023). Similarly, changes were observed in week five (p = 0.044) and week seven (p = 0.046). In the massaged group, BDNF concentrations were significantly higher after the first week of self-massage compared to baseline. In the third week of the study, BDNF decreased to a value comparable to the baseline study, then increased significantly in the fifth and seventh weeks compared to the value recorded in the third week (p = 0.049 and p = 0.029). It was significantly higher in week seven compared to week five (p = 0.03). Higher concentrations of BDNF in subjects undergoing roller self-massage may be one of the biological mechanisms justifying the therapeutic effects of massage in both sports and clinical practice. Studies analyzing the stimulation of BDNF synthesis through various massage techniques should be performed on a larger group of healthy individuals, patients after trauma of multiple origins, and sick people with indications for therapeutic massage.

Concentric remodeling and the metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease in patients with type 1 diabetes: an exploratory study.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy in young patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) usually presents as asymptomatic diastolic heart dysfunction with left ventricle (LV) remodeling. Its prevalence seems to be underestimated. One of the factors seemingly influencing LV remodeling is a metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which was extensively investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes but not with T1D. This study aimed to describe the correlation between MASLD risk and relative wall thickness (RWT) in young patients with T1D without heart failure symptoms or treatment. Study participants were recruited at the inpatient diabetology department, in admission order. Patients underwent a set of laboratory tests and echocardiographic examinations. The risk of MASLD was estimated using fatty liver index (FLI). Acquired data was then statistically analyzed. The study group consisted of 55 patients. 25 participants had RWT > 0.42, suggesting LV remodeling. Study participants did not differ in HbA1c, NT-proBNP, HDL, LDL, non-HDL, and uric acid concentrations. However, patients with RWT > 0.42 had higher FLI (40.97 vs. 13.82, p < 0.01) and BMI (27.3 vs. 22.5, p < 0.01) and differed in transaminase concentrations. Moreover, patients with RWT > 0.42 had significantly higher LV mass index (85.6 vs. 68.2g/m2) and altered mitral ring velocities. In univariable logistic regression, FLI correlated with LV remodeling risk (OR 1.028, p = 0.05). The optimal cutoff point for FLI predicting the RWT > 0.42 was 26.38 (OR 10.6, p = 0.04, sensitivity 0.857, specificity 0.657). FLI correlates with RWT in patients with T1D independently of diabetes metabolic control and hypothetically may support recognizing T1D patients with a higher risk of LV remodeling.

COVID‐19 as a financial opportunity for the millennials

AbstractThis study aims to examine how COVID‐19 affects the views of the members of Generation Y (millennials) regarding their financial future. The literature often describes and perceives millennials as spoiled, unindustrious and lacking in focus. This research uses data collected via interviews with 20 participants in their 20s and 30s who live in the centre of Israel. The participants were recruited by a polling company during September 2021. The study finds that participants’ behaviour during this crisis was more level‐headed than in the past due to their understanding that the future is uncertain and they can rely on no one other than themselves. The study's participants reported making decisions to improve their financial future. Most view COVID‐19 as a rare opportunity to make changes in their lives, primarily in their finances and their employment. This is reflected by current choices intended to create a better financial future for themselves. The main finding of this research is that following the shock caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic, millennials have been forced to take care of themselves. They understand that if their parents get sick, they will not be able to continue making a living and will be unable to provide financial help to their children.

Brief Report: a Cross-Sectional Comparison of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test with a Single Question to Assess Alcohol Use in Fishing Communities of Uganda

AbstractRapid assessment for alcohol use in clinical practice and research is key to improved health and study participation. We assessed the correlation between Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score and responses from a single question on frequency of alcohol use among people living in fishing communities of Uganda. Four hundred nineteen participants screened for a simulated vaccine efficacy trial completed the AUDIT and single question. Spearman’s correlation coefficients compared the two tools. There was significant correlation between the AUDIT score and the single question (rho = 0.824, P &lt; 0.001). The single question can be used as an alternative to the full AUDIT during screening.