Prevalence Of Diseases Research Articles

Abstract 2284: Linkage disequilibrium score regression identifies genetic correlations between hepatocellular carcinoma and clinically relevant traits

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality is increasing globally, partly due to the growing prevalence of non-viral liver diseases. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with HCC development. Leveraging GWAS summary statistics and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR), we investigated disease co-development with non-viral HCC to provide unique insights into HCC etiology and prioritize relationships for further causal inquiry. We utilized the LDSR statistical framework to estimate the genetic correlation and heritability between non-viral HCC with 923 epidemiologic, behavioral, and clinical traits from the United Kingdom Biobank (UKBB) cohort. We observed a SNP-array heritability (h2 obs) of 0.20 for non-viral HCC. Next, we estimated the pairwise genetic correlation between non-viral HCC and heritable (h2 obs > 0.02) UKBB traits, identifying significant positive genetic correlations between non-viral HCC and blood-based biomarkers of liver injury (ALT, GGT) and allostatic load (including glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and total albumin). We also identified a positive genetic correlation between non-viral HCC and diseases associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), including diabetes, hypertension, chronic ischemic heart disease, and others. Non-viral HCC was negatively associated with filtered coffee intake but positively associated with instant coffee intake. In addition, smoking behavior and the amount of alcohol consumption in the UKBB cohort showed a positive association with non-viral HCC. Our study provides an atlas of cross-trait genetic correlations in non-viral HCC. Taken together, our results demonstrate possible polygenic pleiotropy between non-viral HCC and different phenotypic traits. The results support further exploration of the predictive power of blood-based biomarkers and selected behaviors for inferring HCC development among non-viral individuals. Citation Format: Younghun Han, Vikram Shaw, Jinyoung Byun, Rikita Hatia, Katherine McGlynn, Lewis Roberts, Manal Hassan, Christopher I. Amos. Linkage disequilibrium score regression identifies genetic correlations between hepatocellular carcinoma and clinically relevant traits [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 2284.

Abstract 793: Cardiometabolic risk factors among Puerto Rican men with prostate cancer

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality among men with prostate cancer. However, few studies characterize the association between cardiometabolic comorbidities and tumor risk in the post-operative space among high-risk groups. Like African American men, Puerto Rican men have a higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. As cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors are highly prevalent in Puerto Rico, we proposed to investigate coordinated risk evaluation of cardiometabolic and oncologic risk in this population. We hypothesized that a subset of cardiometabolic risk factors consistently correlate with clinically defined aggressive disease. Methods: The Puerto Rico Urology Group (PRUG) is the largest group urology practice in Puerto Rico. It currently consists of ten urologists serving the Western, Southern, Central, and Metropolitan regions of Puerto Rico including the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra. Our cohort (n=388) of patients underwent robotic assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer between 2015 and 2022. Clinical data were extracted from consented patients’ electronic health records with appropriate IRB approval (Ponce Research Institute IRB no. 2210121134, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center IRB no. 2023-08-111). Post-surgical cancer of the prostate risk assessment (CAPRA-S) was used to stratify tumors and cardiometabolic risk factors were evaluated across tumor risk strata. Results: The majority of study participants had low-risk tumors (238/388, 61.3%), with intermediate tumors accounting for 106/388 (27.3%), and high-risk tumors accounting for 44/388 (11.3%). Higher CAPRA-S score was significantly associated with greater tumor mass (p<0.001), presence of perineural invasion (p<0.001), and presence of hyperlipidemia (p<0.001). Conclusion: The Puerto Rican population represents the second largest Hispanic/Latino subgroup in the United States and has disproportionately high rates of prostate cancer and cardiometabolic comorbidity. Our preliminary findings indicate that the coordinated evaluation of cancer risk in the context of high-risk disease may provide additional insights for clinicians managing prostate cancer among populations with high prevalence of these chronic diseases. These findings provide insights for ongoing studies to evaluate large, multi-institutional cohorts and identify molecular indicators of cardiometabolic risk predictive of prostate cancer aggressiveness among diverse populations. Acknowledgements: This study was supported by funding from the Puerto Rico IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (PR-INBRE, grant no. 2P20GM103475-21), awarded to C.J.D.O. through the Developmental Research Projects Program. Citation Format: Valeria Torres Matos, Katherine Carrero Figueroa, Noemi Santiago, Julie Dutil, William Roman Torreguitart, Carlos Joel Diaz Osterman. Cardiometabolic risk factors among Puerto Rican men with prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 793.

Understanding implementation, adoption, and acceptability of the WHO package of essential noncommunicable (PEN) disease interventions in FIJI: Evidence for scale-up

The Package of Essential Noncommunicable (PEN) disease interventions in response to the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes was implemented in Fiji commencing in 2012. This study aimed to understand implementation outcomes, and its contextual influences. Semi-structured interviews with health workers and patients across Fiji was conducted. Thematic analysis was mapped to the health system building blocks to understand PEN service delivery. The PEN program was well received by health workers formally trained. The frequency of use of PEN guidelines was influenced at the individual level by motivation, capability and capacity as well as external factors outside of the health workers’ control. The key challenges to routine use were lack of essential medicines and equipment for CVD risk screening and management, shortage of health workers, high turnover of staff, limited formal training, and no designated focal person. However, at the country level, the PEN program improved the quality of care by providing patients with regular follow-up visits depending on their CVD risk levels. The patients found care to be comprehensive when they were also seen by dieticians and physiotherapists. In most instances, the barrier to access to care were cost and distance of travel and non-availability of essential medicines. To improve use of PEN program requires strengthening health system components: 1) need for efficient supply chain system for medicines and equipment, 2) improving healthcare workforce retention, 3) establishing accountability mechanisms embedded within the health centres, 4) health information system to track patient level data and 5) multi-level governance structures across the health system.

Increased prevalence of urticarial diseases and antihistamine/corticosteroid consumption in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

ObjectivesThis nationwide cohort study investigated the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and various types of urticarial diseases.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cohort study using data from Leumit Health Services (LHS), a...

Distinct features of three clinical subtypes in 533 patients with primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

BackgroundPrimary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a rare genetic disorder classified into clinical subtypes and genetic subtypes. Previous clinical studies have primarily focused on case reports and family analyses, largely characterizing the genetic subtypes. However, there remains a long-standing gap in understanding the characteristics of the different clinical subtypes of PHO. This study aimed to determine the distribution of the three clinical subtypes of PHO and compare their clinical characteristics using a large global sample.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in multiple databases to categorize cases into complete form (CO), incomplete form (IN), and fruste form (FR). Statistical analyses were performed to assess clinical differences in a retrospective study design.ResultsMales predominated across all subtypes, whereas females were most prevalent in IN patients (51.1%). IN patients had the highest family history rate (62.1%). Age at onset peaked in adolescence for CO and FR patients, while IN patients exhibited bimodal peaks in early childhood and adolescence. Congenital diseases were more frequent in IN patients (7.8%, P = 0.021), while CO patients had a higher prevalence of digestive system diseases (12.2%, P = 0.007). Urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGE Metabolite (PGEM) were consistently elevated in CO and FR patients. In IN patients, urinary PGE2 levels were also increased, but the urinary PGEM levels showed equal proportions of elevation and reduction. Genetic analysis revealed that solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1 (SLCO2A1) mutations were predominant in CO (95 cases, 73.1%) and FR (22 cases, 57.9%) patients, whereas hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD) mutations were most frequently associated with IN (25 cases, 73.5%).ConclusionsThe three clinical subtypes of PHO exhibited distinct characteristics with no clear correlation between clinical and genetic subtypes. These findings highlighted the clinical significance of PHO typing and provided valuable insights for diagnosis, differential diagnosis and subtype-specific management strategies.

Prevalence of Common Ear Nose and Throat Diseases in a Tertiary Care Center during Monsoon Season in Nepal

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality, with variations in disease patterns across different regions and seasons. Nepal’s diverse climate, particularly during the rainy monsoon season, influences the prevalence of certain ENT diseases. This study aimed to assess the pattern of ENT disorders during the rainy season (monsoon) at a tertiary hospital in Nepal. A descriptive study was conducted at Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital from June to September 2024. A total of 1042 patients aged 1 year and above were included using purposive sampling. Data was collected through clinical examinations and investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Among the 1042 participants, 57.77% were female, and the mean age was 31.07±18.62 years. The most prevalent ENT diseases were throat disorders (44.82%), ear disorders (44.05%), and nose disorders (11.13%). Acute pharyngitis (12.38%), acute otitis media (9.50%), and allergic rhinitis (2.87%) were the most common conditions. The study revealed an increased prevalence of acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute otitis media (AOM), and allergic rhinitis during the monsoon season. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and preventive strategies for reducing disease burden during this period.

Special Health Care Needs in Internationally Adopted Children: Prevalence of Chronic Conditions and Interesting Origin-correlated Risk Factors.

The Federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau defines Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) as those who have, or are at increased risk for, chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions, and require health and related services beyond what is generally required by other children. More than half of the entire Italian internationally adopted children (IAC) population has special needs. This monocentric retrospective study aims to describe the demographic features and prevalence of several chronic conditions in a large cohort of IAC. Between 1 January 2009 and 31 October 2023, we consecutively enrolled all IAC referred to Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, in Florence. This process followed a standardized operative protocol developed internationally. Then, univariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Among 2694 IAC, 315 children (11.89%) were found to be affected by a chronic condition. Asia appears to have 101/561 (18.00%) prevalence of diseases in the total number of IAC from this region of origin, followed by Eastern Europe with 135/1030 (13.11%), Latin America 63/598 (10.54%) and Africa 16/435 (3.68%). The countries of origin with higher prevalence of chronic conditions were China (57.75%), India (15.89%), Russia (15.44%), and Ukraine (13.79%). Children adopted from China and India have a high prevalence of malformations (p = 0.016), while children adopted from Russia accounted for 69.77% of the total fetal alcohol syndrome affected in our cohort. Mental and behavioral disorders appear significantly more prevalent in children from Latin America (p = 0.015), whereas endocrinological disorders predominate in children from Africa (p = 0.014). High rates of precocious puberty were recorded in Asia (p = 0.018) and Africa (p = 0.001) in comparison with the other regions of origin. A revision of the current definition of special needs for adoptive purposes is recommended. Italian screening of the adopted child could be tailored considering the country of origin, and the study of mental health should definitively become part of it.

How a nation's well-being influences its health profile: an analysis of critical indicators.

This study examines the impact of macroeconomic well-being indicators-GDP, health spending as a percentage of GDP, and the unemployment rate-on the prevalence of chronic diseases, including circulatory and respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus, across 27 European Union countries over 21 years. Utilizing advanced econometric methods like General Method of Moments, Structural Equation Modeling, and wavelet coherence analysis, the research reveals that higher GDP correlates with increased disease prevalence, while greater health spending reduces it. The unemployment rate significantly affects diabetes prevalence. The study introduces the "Economic Prosperity and Chronic Disease Paradox," theory, which suggests that economic growth, while improving healthcare access and living standards, paradoxically increases chronic disease rates due to lifestyle changes such as unhealthy diets, sedentary behavior, and pollution. This theory highlights the need for strategic public health policies to counteract these adverse effects and promote sustainable health outcomes amidst economic development.

Socio-demographic Status, Rearing System and Prevalence of Diseases in Black Bengal Goats Maintained in Nadia District of West Bengal

Background: One of the most successful approaches for helping India’s impoverished citizens alleviate poverty and enhance their sources of income is goat rearing. The present study was carried out with an objective to assess the current scenario of socio-demographic status of farmers, managemental practices and prevailing diseases of goats in Nadia district of West Bengal. The predominant availability of black bengal goat resources prompted the selection of these regions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken over a period of six months. Survey data were collected from a total of 100 goat farmers in different villages in the Nadia district of West Bengal, India. For each household survey, a structured questionnaire was formulated. Result: Survey data indicated that 72.0% of women farmers are associated with goat husbandry. The data found that 52.0% of goat farmers were in the middle age having attended primary schooling (86.0%). More than half of the farmers (51.0%) reared goats under intensive system of rearing. The majority of farmers (63.0%) did not follow vaccination programme while 52.0% farmers dewormed their goats. Our research revealed that the most prevalent disease-causing mortality of goats was PPR (61.0%). The results of this study indicate that farmers did not pay much attention to management systems and healthcare services because of the low socio-economic conditions. The present study recommends frequent training of farmers in a modern scientific way creating awareness with regular conduct of vaccination campaigns.

Prevalence of oral diseases among adolescents in prisons in Taiwan: a population-based study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of oral disease in Taiwanese adolescent prisoners.MethodsWe included 1,610 participants from the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program. Outcomes were measured using the clinical version of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9-CM).ResultsThe prevalence rate of oral diseases among adolescent prisoners in Taiwan was 29.38%, which was slightly higher among male (30.02%) adolescent prisoners than among female (27.34%) adolescent prisoners (p = 0.316). Among all the patients diagnosed with oral diseases, the top three disease categories were hard tissues of teeth diseases (19.01%), gingival and periodontal diseases (7.70%), and diseases of the oral soft tissues, excluding lesions specific for the gingiva and tongue (4.16%).ConclusionOral disease is not rare among Taiwanese adolescent prisoners. Early prevention and appropriate treatments are important. It is also essential to explore sex-specific needs for this subpopulation.

The Prevalence of Chronic Medical Diseases in Individuals With Psychiatric Disorders: A Retrospective Study in Saudi Arabia

The Prevalence of Chronic Medical Diseases in Individuals With Psychiatric Disorders: A Retrospective Study in Saudi Arabia

Phase I safety and tolerability dose escalation study of microencapsulated hepatocyte intraperitoneal transplantation therapy in adult patients with liver failure: a study protocol

IntroductionChina has a high prevalence of liver diseases, with about 300 million patients suffering from various types of liver diseases, where the incidence of severe liver diseases is 1%–3%. More...

Microbiome composition and metabolic pathways in shallow and deep periodontal pockets

In periodontal diseases, a dysbiotic subgingival microbiome interacts complexly with the host immune response and is strongly considered a risk factor for various systemic conditions. The high prevalence of both periodontal and systemic diseases in older adults highlights the importance of characterizing the subgingival microbiome in this age group. This study specifically characterizes the composition of the subgingival microbiome and investigates the interactions between microbial niches in shallow and deep periodontal pockets in individuals in their early 70s. We collected 1928 samples from 1287 participants, all born between 1950 and 1951. Participants had either shallow (≤ 4 mm) periodontal pockets or both shallow and deep (≥ 5 mm) periodontal pockets. Distinct microbial patterns were observed in shallow and deep periodontal pockets within the same oral cavity. Deep pockets exhibited a significantly higher abundance of species from genera such as Prevotella, Centipeda, Treponema, and Fusobacterium, while shallow pockets were enriched with species from Actinomyces, Pauljensenia, Streptococcus, and Gemella. The top significant species associated with deep pockets included Fretibacterium fastidiosum, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, whereas shallow pockets were predominantly associated with Actinomyces species and Rothia dentocariosa. Additionally, shallow pockets in individuals with both pocket types showed a positive association with Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum compared to shallow pockets in individuals with only shallow pockets. Metabolic pathways showed significant variation with pocket depth, with pathways such as lipopolysaccharide metabolism, lipid metabolism, and polyamine biosynthesis being positively associated with deep pockets. Overall, this study provides comprehensive microbiome analyses of periodontal pockets in aging adults, contributing to a better understanding of periodontal health and its potential impact on reducing systemic health risks in aging populations.

Obesity-Related Disorders in Türkiye: A Multi Center, Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Analysis from the OBREDI-TR Study

Objectives: Obesity is a significant public health concern, as it is associated with the development of numerous chronic diseases. The prevalence of obesity and attendant diseases has been increasing over recent years. This study attempted to ascertain the frequency of chronic diseases in obese patients in Türkiye for the first time on this scale. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, with patients admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinics or obesity centers between December 2023 and December 2024 included in this study. Participants were recruited from seven regions, 20 provinces, and 28 centers, and the inclusion criteria were met by those aged 18 years and over with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg per square meter (kg/m2) or above. Their status, with respect to chronic diseases, and their anthropometric parameters were documented. Results: The total number of patients was 10,121, with a mean age of 45.2 ± 13.92. Of these, 7222 (71.35%) were female. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HT), dyslipidemia (DL), coronary artery disease (CAD), obstructive pulmonary disease (OPD), obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and fatty liver disease (FLD) was found to be 35.01%, 78.19%, 12.37%, 10.32%, 5.88%, and 75.12%, respectively. A subsequent analysis of the prevalence of these diseases by region revealed a statistically significant variation between regions (p < 0.001 for all regions). Conclusions: This study represents a substantial contribution to the existing body of knowledge in this field, particularly with regard to the identification of the current chronic disease rate of obese patients in Türkiye.

Protein and lipid oxidative stress in different phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with and without cardiorespiratory comorbidity

Introduction. Interest in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is due to the presumed close pathophysiological connection between the two nosologies, which induces indepth studies of these connections in this comorbid group of patients.Aim: To study the levels of oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defense in patients with COPD depending on its phenotype in conditions of cardiorespiratory comorbidity and in its absence.Material and Methods. Examined 104 patients with COPD, 195 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in combination with COPD, as well as 110 somatically healthy individuals who formed a control group. All patients with COPD were divided into three subgroups depending on the phenotype of the disease (emphysematous, bronchitis, mixed).Results. According to the results of the study it was found that the levels of markers of lipid and protein peroxidation were higher and the levels of markers of antioxidant defense were lower compared to somatically healthy individuals both in the group of patients with COPD and in the group of patients with MI on COPD background, which confirmed the increase of protein and lipid peroxidation in both nosologies. The most pronounced imbalance of proand antioxidants was observed in the group of patients with MI on COPD background, which indicates more pronounced oxidative stress in conditions of cardiorespiratory comorbidity. It was also determined that in both groups the processes of protein and lipid peroxidation in bronchitic and mixed phenotypes of COPD are more intense than in emphysematous phenotype. The data on connections of different closeness between indices of peroxidation products, as well as markers of antioxidant defense and anamnestic and functional characteristics of COPD in both groups were obtained.Conclusion. Intensification of protein and lipid peroxidation processes in bronchitic and mixed phenotypes of COPD regardless of the presence of cardiorespiratory comorbidity allows us to say that these phenotypes are more unfavorable in prognostic plan in comparison with emphysematous phenotype.

Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Elderly.

Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Elderly.

Prevalence and Management of Congenital Heart Diseases in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are among the most common birth anomalies globally, with higher prevalence and poorer outcomes in low- and middle-income countries due to delayed diagnosis, inadequate care infrastructure, and limited access to pediatric cardiac surgery. Despite the significant disease burden in Pakistan, national-level data on CHD prevalence and management remain scarce. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, diagnostic timing, and management patterns of CHDs in Pakistani children, while assessing the impact of socioeconomic status on access to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at five tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan from January 2023 to December 2024. A total of 1,200 children aged ≤12 years with echocardiographic ally confirmed CHDs were enrolled. Patients with acquired heart diseases were excluded. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and hospital records, assessing CHD types, age at diagnosis, treatment modalities, and socioeconomic variables. Ethical approval was obtained from relevant institutional review boards, and the study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v25, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations (p < 0.001). Results: VSD was the most common CHD (32.5%), followed by ASD (22.4%) and TOF (15.8%). The mean age at diagnosis was 2.5 years, with rural children diagnosed significantly later (3.2 years) than urban counterparts (1.8 years). Surgical intervention was performed in 45% of cases, while 55% received medical management. Socioeconomic status was significantly associated with both delayed diagnosis (χ² = 81.75, p < 0.001) and inadequate treatment (χ² = 99.75, p < 0.001), indicating profound healthcare disparities. Conclusion: The study reveals a high burden of CHDs in Pakistan, compounded by late diagnosis and limited surgical access, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. These findings underscore the need for national CHD screening programs, fair healthcare distribution, and policy interventions to improve outcomes and reduce mortality.

Recent Advances in Enzyme‐Mediated Rolling Circle Replication Technology Empowering Virus Detection

Comprehensive SummaryThe prevalence and spread of viral infectious diseases pose a grave threat to global public health, particularly resulting in a significant number of casualties. To curb the spread of infectious diseases, virus testing is one of the efficient and economical means, among which nucleic acid detection has the advantage of detecting viral infections at an early stage, even before symptoms appear. Rolling circle replication is a representative of enzyme‐mediated nucleic acid isothermal amplification technology, which is characterized by its mild reaction conditions, no need for temperature control equipment, and high efficiency. This review provides a conceptual overview of the latest advances of rolling circle replication (RCR) and their applications in viral detection, focusing on the molecular design principles in different application scenarios. The first part briefly describes the significance and advantages of RCR in virus detection. The second part elaborates on the design principle and preparation strategy of RCR and its derivative technologies. The third part focuses on the various application scenarios in virus detection. In the end, we provide a perspective on the innovation of RCR in improving the accuracy and specificity of virus detection to cope with the challenges of infectious diseases that may arise in the future.

Determinants physical activity in middle-aged women: application trans theoretical model

Background and aimsPhysical activity is one of the most important indicators of health in the society and plays an important role in the lives of people, especially women. Nevertheless, one of the major challenges in modern society is the inactivity and lack of optimal physical activity of women, which has caused a rising prevalence in chronic diseases. Models and theories help to better understand these behaviors and better planning for behavior change in target groups. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the predictors of regular physical activity among middle-aged women based on the trans-theoretical model.DesignThe present study was conducted cross-sectionally on 250 middle-aged women (age range 45–59) covered by comprehensive health databases.MethodInclusion conditions included willingness to participate, living in the area under study, not having certain diseases and disorders that would cause changes in lifestyle or physical activity. The random sampling method was simple. In this study, questionnaires of transtheoretical model constructs and short international questionnaire of physical activity were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Amos 24 software.ResultsIn path analysis, change methods with path coefficient β = 0.20 are the strongest predictors of physical activity behavior in middle-aged women, and it clearly shows a significant positive relationship with the amount of physical activity (P < 0.05). Also, the stimulus control substructure with a factor loading of β = 0.17 and a confidence interval (CI) of 95% also has a high predictive power of the tendency to physical activity behavior. Chi-square ratio to degrees of freedom (χ²/DF) < 3 and RMSEA = 0.065 indicate a good fit of the model with the data (GFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.98).ConclusionThe path analysis revealed that the proposed model by Prochaska fits well with the research data, indicating that change processes are strong predictors of physical behavior. These findings can serve as a foundation for developing targeted, evidence-based interventions to promote physical activity among middle-aged women.

Functional Pulmonary Imaging.

The aging of the world population gave rise to an increased prevalence of many lung diseases, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease now ranking as the third-leading cause of death according to the World Health Organization. To diagnose lung disease, a thorough assessment of lung function is essential since it may reveal unique signatures in terms of disease pathophysiology. Yet, clinically established lung function tests are global measurements, which may compromise their sensitivity to early, regional changes in lung function compared to spatially resolved imaging tests. From a scientific perspective, the lung is a highly complex organ, and newly developed functional imaging methods may elucidate previously unknown aspects of its physiology. Functional pulmonary imaging is and will thus be of great value for both clinical and research applications. The goal of this review is to shed light on the field of functional pulmonary imaging in all its varieties, with a particular focus on the numerous tools MRI has to offer. This includes 1H MRI methods with or without exogenous contrast agents like oxygen- or gadolinium-based contrast agents and MRI of hyperpolarized and inert gases like 129Xe or perfluoropropane. However, thinking outside the box, a glance is also taken at what other modalities like single-photon emission computed tomography, computed tomography, or X-ray dark-field imaging have to offer. Following a physiological perspective, methods are described in terms of their ability to assess the key parameters of lung physiology in humans-ventilation, perfusion, and alveolar membrane function, as well as microstructure-and promising clinical and research applications are discussed. An outlook into possible future paths the field might take is given. Evidence Level: 5. Technical Efficacy: 2.