Pearson Correlation Test Research Articles

Prognostic value of the systemic immuno-inflammatory index in critically ill patients with vertebral fractures.

Inflammation plays a critical role in vertebral fractures. However, there is a lack of sufficient evidence regarding the prognostic significance of the systemic immuno-inflammatory index (SII), a novel marker of systemic inflammation, in patients with vertebral fractures. In this study, we aimed to assess the predictive value of SII in critically ill patients with vertebral fractures. The data were from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) version 1.4 and Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The cutoff values for SII were determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the subjects were grouped accordingly. The clinical outcome measured was mortality within 30 days, 90 days, or 1 year. The following formula was used to calculate the SII: SII = (platelet count) × (neutrophil count)/ (lymphocyte count). Cox proportional-hazard models were employed to assess the relationship between SII and survival. Additionally, propensity score matching analysis and COX models were utilized to examine the association between SII and survival outcomes. The Pearson correlation test confirmed the correlation between SII and vertebral T-values measured by bone mineral density and pain indicator. A total of 354 patients were finally included from MIMIC-III in the univariate analysis, for the 30-day mortality, SII ≥ 3164 group, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) was 1.71 (1.01, 2.94). After adjusting for age, gender, race, anion gap, creatinine, systolic blood pressure (SBP), DBP MBP, SOFA, acute physiologic score III, chronic kidney disease, and SAPS II, SII ≥ 3164 was found to be an independent significant risk factor for death in patients (HR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.06-3.24, P = .0315). A similar trend was observed for 90-day mortality and 1-year mortality. Propensity scores matching analysis further confirmed the association of SII and the prognosis of patients. Our validation results were consistent with it. Besides, the Pearson correlation test confirmed a significant correlation between SII and vertebral T-values measured by bone mineral density and pain indicator. The study findings revealed that SII is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with vertebral fractures. This indicates that SII can serve as a reliable and easily accessible prognostic indicator for newly diagnosed critically ill patients with vertebral fractures.

A survey of ethical sensitivity among nursing students and its influencing factors.

Nurses frequently experience ethical issues in their area of practice. In the challenging reality of today's healthcare environment, nursing students need to be prepared to deal with ethical issues in their future roles. Nevertheless, Chinese nursing students' ethical sensitivity status and the factors influencing it have not been described. This study aims to explore the level of ethical sensitivity and its influencing factors among Chinese nursing students. This was a cross-sectional study. We firstly cross-culturally adapted the Japanese version of the Ethical Sensitivity Questionnaire for Nursing Students (ESQ-NS) into a Chinese version. Then, we administered the Chinese version of ESQ-NS, the Caring Ability Inventory (CAI), and general information questionnaire to nursing undergraduates. The invitations were sent to 600 nursing undergraduates from four universities in Hunan, China. The study was supported by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the lead university. The Approval No. was E202092. A total of 489 undergraduate nursing students participated in the study. The mean score for ethical sensitivity of the samples was 36.34 ± 4.90, and 187.99 ± 22.64 for their humanistic care ability. Pearson's correlation coefficient test indicated a meaningful and positive relationship between the ethical sensitivity and humanistic care ability (r = 0.576 and p < .01). And regression analysis showed that age, school year, experience in studying nursing ethics, how much you like nursing major, and humanistic care ability were of relevance to nursing students' ethical sensitivity. Our findings suggest that the mean ethical sensitivity score of Chinese nursing students is 36.34 (13-52). The humanistic caring ability of Chinese nursing students is still at a low level. Future interventions for improving the ethical sensitivity of the nursing students should consider general information of participants and their humanistic care ability.

Age matters: association between age and depression severity at the time of OSA diagnosis and PAP adherence in adult patients.

Numerous studies have shown an association and symptom overlaps between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression. However, data are limited on the association between age, sex, the severity of depression at the time of OSA diagnosis, and its impact on positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a validated depression screening and severity scoring tool recommended by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition). In this retrospective observational study, we evaluate the interrelationship between age at OSA diagnosis, depression severity, and PAP adherence. Patients with new OSA diagnosis, seen at the University of California San Francisco-Fresno Sleep Center between February and October of 2022, were evaluated. PHQ-9 scores for depression severity uses a 1 to 5 scale (1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 moderately severe, 5 = severe). The PHQ-9 was administered at the time of OSA diagnosis and follow-up. Average daily PAP usage hours were obtained from PAP devices between 1 to 3 months after therapy initiation. IBM SPSS version 29.0.0 was used to calculate descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Mann-Whitney test. Seventy-seven patients fit the inclusion criteria, of which 28 were women (36.4%). The average baseline apnea-hypopnea index was 34.5 (standard deviation 31.8), with a PHQ-9 mean of 8.3 with standard deviation ± 5.9. A Mann-Whitney comparison between the group with normal PHQ-9 scores and the group with PHQ-9 scores consistent with depression (score of 5 or greater) showed no statistically significant differences in apnea-hypopnea index (P = .470) or average night hour use (P = .195). There was a statistically significant difference in age between both groups (P = .031). Spearman correlation confirmed a negative, statistically significant correlation between PHQ-9 scores and age in patients with OSA. This study showed that PHQ-9 scores at the time of OSA diagnosis are moderately correlated with younger age, with those patients younger than 50 years old having more moderate to severe depression scores than older patients. We did not find a correlation between age and PAP adherence or between PHQ-9 scores and PAP adherence. Our findings can help identify high-risk depression patients early in the diagnosis of OSA and bring awareness that the young adult population can be particularly vulnerable. Niraula R, Singh A, DelRosso LM, Meghpara S, Keenan L. Age matters: association between age and depression severity at the time of OSA diagnosis and PAP adherence in adult patients. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(6):859-862.

Nurses’ clinical decision-making models in the care of older adults: A cross-sectional study

Clinical decision-making is referred to as a correct judgment based on knowledge and cognitive skills. It has an effective role in providing safe and effective nursing care. Often these decision-making skills are based on critical thinking and evidence-based practice. Therefore, due to the importance of the present issue, this study aimed to assess the nurses’ clinical decision-making models in the care of older adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 nurses working in the teaching hospitals of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences in 2021. Data was collected by the standard questionnaire of clinical decision-making model. Pearson's correlation coefficient test was used to evaluate the relationship between clinical decision making and study variables.

Development of a tool for monitoring the jaw-opening pace and preliminary comparison the pace between young and old ages

BackgroundStudies have demonstrated that high-speed jaw-opening exercises are effective in improving swallowing function. However, there has been no objective tool available for monitoring jaw-opening pace. This study aimed to develop an objective tool for monitoring and validating jaw-opening pace and compare it between young and old ages from different age groups. Materials and methodsA load cell plug-in jaw pad connected to an automatic recording and analysis system was used to record jaw-opening motions for offline analysis. We recruited 58 healthy volunteers from different age groups (20–39 y/o; 40-59y/o; 60-79y/o). During a 2-min recording session, each participant was instructed to fully open and close their jaw as quickly as possible while wearing a sensor. Bland-Altman plot, paired t-test and Pearson's correlation test were used to compare the number of jaw-opening motions between manual counting and automatic software analysis. The number of jaw-opening motions during the 2-min recording was compared between the three age groups. ResultsAutomated analysis of jaw-opening pace was efficient and equally comparable with the traditional manual counting method across the three age groups. A declining trend in jaw-opening pace among the old age group was found but with no statistically significant difference. ConclusionA jaw-opening motion monitoring tool with reliable automatic pace analysis software was validated in young and old ages The jaw-opening pace demonstrated a tendency to decline with age.

AN INVESTIGATION OF GENDER DIFFERENCES AND SELF-EFFICACY IN WRITING PERFORMANCE AMONG COLLEGE EFL LEARNERS

This study was conducted to examine if gender and self-efficacy affected the writing performance of Indonesian EFL learners in college level. The research sample consisted of 150 students, comprising 67 males and 83 females. The sample was selected using convenience sampling technique, and all participants signed an informed consent form. This correlational study employed statistic analysis to determine the relationships among independent and dependent variables. Statistical analysis involved Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The results showed that writing performances of male and female groups were significantly different. However, the evidence strengthening the claim that male and female learners perform differently in terms of linguistic aspects of written outcomes was limited. Gender proceeded to explain considerable differences in writing performance, in addition to composition skills.&#x0D;

COVID-19 transmission due to interplay between PM2.5 and weather conditions

Background: The association of air pollution with the COVID-19 pandemic majorly caused respiratory diseases among the major outcomes of COVID-19 infection. In addition, meteorological factors play an important role in spreading COVID-19 infection in humans who have been exposed to air pollutants. Objectives: This study aims to estimate and comprehend the linkages between the contribution of PM 2.5 concentrations and meteorological parameters to the spreading coronavirus infection in Gurugram, a badly affected city in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: We employed some statistical analysis on daily average data of PM 2.5 concentrations and meteorological conditions with daily COVID-19 cases from March 2020 to February 2022. To optimize PM2.5 concentrations linked with COVID-19 instances, a time series analysis was performed. The Pearson correlation test investigated the relationships between PM2.5levels, meteorological data, and COVID-19 instances. The PCA was applied to reveal the most significant factor attributable to affecting the rate of COVID-19 transmission in Gurugram. Results: The highest cases of COVID-19 (250,000) were observed in February 2022 when PM 2.5 concentration was 286.6µg/m3, 12.64 oC temperature, 73.81% RH, and 68.265 km/h wind speed while minimum cases (3125) were found in March 2020 with the 18.18µg/m3 PM2.5 concentration, 10.62.oC temperature, 50.05% RH, and 83.295km/h wind speed. Conclusion: The principal component analysis helped conclude the results, which revealed that the daily COVID-19 cases were significantly positively correlated with PM 2.5 concentrations, RH, and temperature. However, daily COVID-19 cases were negatively or poorly correlated with wind speed. COVID-19 pandemic is prominently affected by PM 2.5, while RH and temperature were found to be important meteorological factors significantly affecting its human-to-human transmission. This study may provide useful indications to regulatory bodies to modify environmental health policies.

Inter-relationships of galectin-3 and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasomes with oral lichen planus: a preliminary cross-sectional in vitro study

BackgroundThe nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been reported to be highly expressed in oral lesions with the potential for malignant development such as oral lichen planus (OLP). And the NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by galectin-3 (Gal-3) in immune-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to explore the inter-relationships among Gal-3, NLRP3 inflammasome, and OLP.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of oral biopsy specimens from 30 patients with Erosive OLP and 30 healthy controls was performed. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate the expression of Gal-3 and NLRP3 inflammasome. Two-sample t-test and Pearson correlation test were applied to analyze the data.Results Erosive OLP patients had significantly higher Gal-3 levels compared with controls (p < 0.0001). A similar pattern emerged for NLRP3 inflammasome. In the overall sample, a positive correlation was observed between Gal-3 and NLRP3 (r = 0.92, p < 0.01).ConclusionsPatients with Erosive OLP lesions showed increased protein expression levels of Gal-3. A positive correlation was observed between Gal-3 and NLRP3 inflammasome.

Association of bone turnover markers with glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM) subjects are at increased risk of fracture due to poor bone quality contributing to diabetic skeletal fragility. This study provides an understanding of the relationship between bone turnover markers (BTM) and glucose metabolism in Type 2 DM. Materials and Methods: One hundred types 2 diabetics and one hundred controls participated in this case control study. Serum FBS, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), CTx (C- terminal cross linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen), HOMA-IR and HOMA-B was measured. Association between BTM and FBS, HOMA-IR and HOMA-B was studied. Comparison was done by Student’s t test. The correlation was established using Pearson's correlation test. P value less than 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results: Mean levels of FBS, ALP and HOMA-IR were higher and mean levels of osteocalcin, CTx and HOMA-B were decreased in diabetics when compared to controls. Osteocalcin levels showed significant negative correlation with FBS, ALP, HOMA-B and HOMA-IR. CTx levels were negatively correlated with ALP and FBS. Conclusion: Early identification of decrease in bone mass in diabetic patients may be helpful in preventing bone loss and future fracture risks. Monitoring for diabetes associated with osteopenia is essential. The biochemical markers of bone metabolism can detect even small changes in the bone turnover, thus identifying diabetics who may become osteoporosis-prone.

MR imaging findings of stage I intravenous leiomyomatosis: a retrospective single-center study in 19 cases.

The aim was to explore the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of stage-I intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL). From January 2019 to January 2023, clinical, pathological, and MRI data were collected from 19 cases confirmed by surgical pathology. Two radiologists retrospectively measured the tumor sizes, T1WIs, T2WIs, and ADC values and evaluated contrast-enhanced T1WIs, DWIs, complications and parauterine infiltrations. The number of tumor cells and the total nuclear area were measured. The percentage of tumor cell area out of the total area was used as the tumor cell density. Nineteen patients with stage-I IVL aged 33 to 66years (mean age: 46 ± 7.6years) were included in this study. All 19 cases were located in the myometrium or parametrium, with a mean diameter of 11.2 ± 4.8cm. Among these cases, 14 (73.6%) were associated with leiomyoma, and six (31.6%) involved the broad ligament. Isointensity was observed in the T1WIs of 12 cases (63.2%), while slight hypointensity was seen in five patients (26.3%). Isointensity was observed in the on T2WIs of four cases (21.1%), and iso- or slight hyperintensity was observed in 15 cases (78.9%). A significant difference was detected between the normalized T2WIs of IVL and myometrium (p < 0.001). A Pearson correlation test showed demonstrated a negative correlation between the ADC and tumor cell density values (r = -0.946, p < 0.001). Tortuous vessels were present in 17 cases (89.5%) within or next to the lesions, and multiple winding cord-like filling defects were seen in 11 cases (57.9%) within the tortuous vessels on the T2WIs. Identifying the characteristic MRI features of stage-I IVL helped improve the diagnostic accuracy achieves for this rare tumor. Stage-I IVL often presents as a large mass accompanied by leiomyoma, and it easily invades the broad ligament. TIWI signals exhibited isointensity, and T2WI signals contained iso- or slight hyperintensity. Tortuous vessels were present within or next to the lesions, and multiple winding cord-like filling defects were observed within the tortuous vessels on the T2WIs.

CORRELATION OF LEPTIN AND ADIPONECTIN RECEPTOR EXPRESSION WITH CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN COLORECTAL CARCINOMA - A CROSS-SECTIONAL PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the common carcinomas with a rising incidence of metastasis due to its advanced stage of presentation. The existing biomarkers such as CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) etc., for prognosis, have low sensitivity and specificity. Hence a need for a newer definitive biomarker. Obesity is the leading cause of CRC. Leptin and adiponectin secreted by adipose tissue have been studied as potential biomarkers in the field of CRC. The present study helps to understand the association of leptin and adiponectin receptors with clinicopathological parameters. To correlate the various clinicopathological parameters with the tissue expression of leptin and adiponectin receptors in CRC. It is a cross-sectional prospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Formalin fixed paraffin blocks of all radical resection CRC cases were collected and immunohistochemistry (IHC)was carried out on tumor tissue for leptin and adiponectin receptor. Tumor characteristics and clinical parameters were collected from the hospital medical records. Pearson's correlation coefficient test was used. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 60 cases of CRC. Significant positive correlation of leptin was observed with size, lymph node metastasis, advanced stage, and grade of tumor (P<0.05). A significant correlation between adiponectin receptor and CRC was observed concerning age, stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and grade of tumor. Positive expression of leptin and negative expression of adiponectin receptors in CRC helps to predict the risk of metastasis.

The Role of School Life Quality in Predicting Adolescents' Learned Helplessness with the Mediating Role of Assertiveness

Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the role of school life quality in predicting the learned helplessness of adolescent students with the mediating role of assertiveness. Methods and Materials: The research population consisted of all 8th-grade male students in Birjand city during the 2023-2024 academic year, totaling 2514 students. According to the Krejcie and Morgan table and using a multi-stage cluster sampling method, 335 students were selected as the sample. The data collection tools were the Williams and Button (1981) School Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Gambrill and Richie (1975) Assertiveness Scale, and the Quinless and Nelson (1988) Learned Helplessness Scale. Pearson correlation coefficient test and structural equation modeling approach were used for data analysis. SPSS -26 and Smart PLS-3 software were used for data analysis. Findings: All direct path coefficients relating school life quality to assertiveness were positive and significant with learned helplessness being negative and significant (p&lt;0.01). Moreover, the results showed that the model of the relationship between assertiveness and learned helplessness was negative and significant (p&lt;0.01). Finally, the bootstrap test results indicate that the indirect path coefficient between school life quality and learned helplessness through the mediating variable of assertiveness is significant at the alpha level of 0.01 (p&lt;0.01). In other words, the proposed research model has an acceptable fit at the 0.01 level of significance. The quality of school life, through the mediating variable of assertiveness, has the ability to indirectly predict the level of learned helplessness in adolescents, and improving the quality of school life, and consequently increasing the level of adolescent assertiveness, facilitates the reduction of their learned helplessness. Conclusion: Based on the research findings, it is possible to predict adolescents' learned helplessness through the variables of school life quality and assertiveness. Therefore, the results of the research provide a basis for conducting extensive studies aimed at improving the quality of life in schools and strengthening adolescents' assertiveness.

Social Media Effects on the Academic Performance of Undergraduate Medical Students in KSA

Background and Aims: A cross-sectional study aims to measure social media’s effects on the academic performance of undergraduate governmental and private medical students in KSA from October 2020 to March 2021. Methods: A total of 1200 students participated in the survey. After data collection, data were analyzed in terms of number and percentage, mean and SD, students’ t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient test, using the SPSS-21. The data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from Osharive’s (2015) social media and the academic performance of the students’ questionnaire (SMAAPOS). Results: The sample size was 1670 students. One thousand twenty-one students responded to the questionnaire with a response rate of 72.45%. Students’ GPAs ranged from &lt;2, 2.1-3.0, 3.1-4.0, and 4.1-5.0 were 0 (0.00%), 50 (4.62%), 420 (38.26%), and 610 (56.4%); respectively. Three hundred and seven (31.1%), 220 (18.5%), and 160 (13.4%) use Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram, respectively. Nine hundred and eight students (81.7%) mentioned that the duration of using social media was more than five years, while 910 (75.21%) spent more than 5- 10 hours/ daily using social media. Eight hundred and seven (71.9%), 460 (38%), 36 (29.8), 700 (57.9%), and 280 (23.1%) use social media for social, games, professional, academic, and other purposes, respectively. The results showed Pearson correlation of a significant negative relationship between the time medical students spent on social media and their GPA, r = 0.1553. Conclusions: This study concludes a significant negative relationship between medical students’ time on social media and academic performance.

The effect of non-compliance with diet and liquid restriction on fatigue in dialysis patients.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between non-compliance with dietary and fluid restriction, body mass index, and the severity of fatigue in dialysis patients. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 42 dialysis patients. The data were collected employing a "General Information Form", Body Mass Index, "Fatigue Severity Scale", and "Dialysis Diet and Fluid Non-Adherence Questionnaire.". Data were evaluated using percentages, averages, one-way ANOVA, T-tests, and Pearson correlation tests. The average number of days when the patients did not comply with their diet was 3.69 ± 4.85, and the average number of days when they did not comply with fluid restriction was 2.71 ± 5.02. The age and marital status of the patients were found to affect the fatigue severity. It was found that the cases were associated with creatinine and calcium values and the number of days they did not comply with fluid restriction. It was determined that there was no significant relationship between non-compliance with diet and fluid restriction and the severity of fatigue. It was found that the severity of fatigue was lower in patients who complied with diet and fluid restriction, although not significantly lower than in those who did not comply.

Factors influencing quality of life in early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer patients in Nanchong city: a qualitative study.

To identify the determinants of quality of life (QoL) among early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) patients in Nanchong City to inform the development of targeted treatment plans. In this retrospective study, 642 patients diagnosed with UGIC were included. A phenomenological approach was employed, involving in-depth face-to-face interviews to explore patients' real-life experiences with QoL, with an emphasis on spiritual and psychological aspects. Data analysis followed Colaizzi's seven-step method. Statistical analyses included one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), t-tests, binary logistic regression, and Pearson correlation tests. QoL was significantly reduced in patients with early-stage GI cancer (P<0.001), with prevalent symptoms of anxiety and depression necessitating focused psychological interventions and enhanced medical care. Influential factors on QoL included income, health insurance coverage, illness duration, and levels of anxiety and depression (P<0.001). A strong negative correlation was observed between QoL scores and both the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (r=-0.7808, P<0.001) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (r=-0.7493, P<0.001). This study underscores the substantial impact of anxiety and depression on the QoL of patients with early-stage UGIC. The findings provide a theoretical basis for implementing comprehensive long-term care strategies.

Patient and Caregiver Depression in Jordan After a First Stroke.

Poststroke depression among patients is well-recognized, while caregiver depression is understudied. The interaction between patient and caregiver depression is also unclear. This cross-sectional and follow-up study recruited 108 patient-caregiver dyads after the first-ever stroke. Demographic and clinical data, stroke severity (NIH Stroke Scale score), functional outcome (Barthel Index), and residual disability (modified Rankin Score) were documented. Using the self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9, we screened patients and caregivers for depressive symptoms upon admission and after 1 month. Changes in the prevalence and severity of depression were calculated. The Pearson correlation test and logistic regression analysis were conducted to evaluate both the correlation between both groups and significant predictors of depression. In total, 89 patients and 96 caregivers responded to both screenings. Depression was reported by 13.5% and 27.0% of patients on admission and after 1 month, and 9.4% and 18.8% of caregivers, respectively. Caregiver depression on admission was significantly correlated with patient depression on admission (P=0.031). In addition, depression in caregivers after 1 month was a significant predictor of patient depression (P=0.008). Predictors of caregiver depression after 1 month were female caregivers (P=0.026), caring for a male patient (P=0.045), higher mRS scores after 1 month (P=0.013), longer admissions (P=0.017), caregiver between 17 and 35 years of age compared with 54 to 70 years of age (P=0.030), and caring for a patient with poststroke depression at 1 month poststroke (P=0.003). Both stroke survivors and their caregivers are at high risk for depression, with a potential interaction between depression in the 2 groups.

Assessing the Influence of ESG Factors on Stock Prices: An Analysis of Nifty 50 Companies

This study examines the relationship between sustainability reporting, stock performance, and ‘Environmental’, ‘Social’, and ‘Governance’ (ESG) characteristics of Indian companies. The goal is to clarify the influence of environmentally conscious activities on enterprises. This research addresses the lack of knowledge regarding the impact of ESG ratings on stock performance in the Indian market, which has been overlooked in previous studies that mostly focused on the US and European markets. The study employs a quantitative methodology to gather stock prices and ESG ratings for companies in the Nifty 50 index. It then constructs portfolios that reflect the companies with the greatest and lowest ESG scores. The data is examined by OLS regression and Pearson correlation tests, indicating that ESG has a detrimental effect on stock prices in India. This suggests that enhancing ESG scores may not be advantageous for firms. Nevertheless, the study reveals disparities between companies with high and low ESG scores in relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), regulatory frameworks, anti-corruption initiatives, and ESG methodology. This presents opportunities for Indian businesses to improve their sustainable practices and generate value for stakeholders.

Cardiac magnetic resonance analysis of left atrium function in patients with pre-apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Patients presenting with unexplained T wave inversion on electrocardiogram combined with thickened left ventricular apex but less than 15 mm had been proposed as a preclinical scope of apical hypertrophy cardiomyopathy (pre-ApHCM). However, analysis of left atrial (LA) function in these patients has not been studied. This study aims to evaluate the LA function in pre-ApHCM patients and compare it with patients with ApHCM using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. In this retrospective case-control study, a total of 3,593 CMR reports from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, China were reviewed. Finally, 31 pre-ApHCM patients were identified and 40 ApHCM and 31 normal controls were included for comparison. LA volumetric and strain were analyzed by CMR. Two-tailed one-way ANOVA was used to analyze the difference of three groups. Pearson correlation test was used for correlation analysis. All of the volumetric parameters in pre-ApHCM group were higher than those in control group. LA reservoir (LA total EF, εs) and conduit function (LA passive EF, εe) parameters, were significantly different among the three groups, which were the lowest in the ApHCM group, intermediate in the pre-ApHCM group, and the highest in the control group ((all P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the LA booster pump function, both the booster EF and booster pump strain (εa) in ApHCM were impaired (P=0.003 and P=0.002 respectively). Meanwhile, only the εa was impaired (P=0.016) while LA booster EF was not (P=0.064) in the pre-ApHCM group, neither εa nor the booster EF show difference between the ApHCM and pre-ApHCM (P=0.272 and P=0.518 respectively). LA function features in pre-ApHCM patients were similar to ApHCM but different from the normal controls. In pre-ApHCM and ApHCM patients, LA reservoir and conduit function impaired earlier before left atrium enlarged and decreased progressively as apex thickens. These findings may help to understand the LA functional change from pre-ApHCM to ApHCM, and to detect subclinical changes in patients with pre-ApHCM before overt hypertrophy or clinical symptoms develop.

Oblique, forward, and lateral directions reach test distances in young adults, and concurrent validity of these tests with the center of pressure excursion in assessing the limits of stability

BackgroundLimits of stability is required to perform functional activities and other advanced tasks of life without losing balance, and assessment of limits of stability is essential in clinical practice. Forward, Lateral, and Oblique direction reach tests are clinical balance tests that assess limits of stability, and these reach distances in various directions may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The aim was to establish the symmetry between various reach distances on three reach tests and to establish the concurrent validity of oblique, forward, and lateral direction reach test distances with limits of stability measured by the Iso Free machine of TecnoBody company. Methods: The measurements of oblique, forward, and lateral reach tests and limits of stability excursions of center of pressure were taken in eight directions on Iso Free machine of Techno Body in fifty typical college-going young adults who were recruited through convenience sampling. Pearson correlation test was used to find the relationship between forward, lateral, and oblique direction reaches and limits of stability in forward, lateral, and oblique directions. Regression analysis was used to find the factors influencing the forward, lateral, and oblique reach tests. Results: The reach distances were symmetrical, and out of the three tests, the lateral and oblique direction reach tests have a moderate positive correlation with limits of stability test in lateral and oblique directions with an r-value of 0.569 (p < 0.001) and 0.50 (p < 0.001) respectively. A Significant standardized beta value of 0.49 (p < 0.05) for the oblique direction reach test with total stability limits. Conclusions: The oblique and lateral direction reach tests are correlated with their respective center of pressure excursion. However, the oblique direction reach test moderately correlated with the total limits of stability scores. Forward reach distances were more in number followed by oblique and lateral reach distances among young Saudi adults.

Assessment of child personality attributes using Pictorial Personality Traits Questionnaire (PPTQ-C) for prediction of child behavior at the first dental visit and its co-relation with the Frankl behavior rating scale

Aim: To assess child personality attributes using Pictorial Personality Traits Questionnaire Children (PPTQ-C) for prediction of child behavior at the first dental visit and its co-relation with the Frankl behavior rating scale. Methodology: A sample size of 110 children between the ages 6-9 years requiring preventive treatment was included and they were asked to fill out the PPTQ-C before the treatment. The personality trait was evaluated. The Frankl behavior rating of the subjects was noted at the time of the treatment. A correlation was established between the personality trait and Frankl behavior rating scale. The Pearson correlation test was used to obtain a correlation between the Frankl behavior rating scale and the personality traits. Results: A positive correlation was found between the trait of Extraversion and a negative correlation between Neuroticism and the Frankl behavior rating scale. Conclusion: The PPTQ-C can be used to assess child personality attributes for the prediction of child behavior at the first dental visit. However, the findings are preliminary and need to be validated with bigger sample sizes across varied groups.