Differences In Mean Scores Research Articles

Effectiveness of Simulation with a Standardized Patient on Knowledge Acquisition, Knowledge Retention, and Self-Efficacy Among Moroccan Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Simulation is a crucial component in the training of healthcare professionals, offering a safe environment for practical learning without posing risks to patients. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effect of simulation with a standardized patient on the acquisition and retention of knowledge, as well as on the self-efficacy of nursing students. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design was conducted with 120 nursing students, who were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (60) received training through simulation with a standardized patient, supplemented by a lecture-based course. The control group (60) received only the same lecture-based course. A pre-test was conducted to assess students’ baseline knowledge and self-efficacy before any intervention. Student performance was then assessed with a post-test immediately after the training to measure knowledge acquisition and self-efficacy and a post-test three months after the intervention to measure long-term knowledge retention. Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference in mean scores between the intervention and control groups in terms of knowledge acquisition (14.92 vs. 13.32; p < 0.001; d = 0.99), self-efficacy (33.02 vs. 31.05; p < 0.001; d = 1.03) and knowledge retention three months after training (12.4 vs. 10.6; p < 0.001; d = 0.94). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the effectiveness of simulation in knowledge acquisition and retention, as well as in the self-efficacy of nursing students. These findings support the integration of this method into training programs to strengthen the skills of future healthcare professionals.

Level of Stress and Coping Strategies Adopted by Undergraduate Students Attending e-learning Classes: A Cross-sectional Study from Eastern India

Background COVID-19 has forced universities across India and the world indeed, to suspend physical classrooms and shift to online classes to contain the outbreak, which caused stress among students and usage of adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms. Early identification of faulty coping mechanisms will help to reduce stress and prevent unwanted behavioural modification among students. Aim This study aimed to assess the levels of stress and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students attending e-learning classes. Materials and Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate students of various disciplines (general degree, professional and others) from the Eastern part of India who were attending e-learning classes during the COVID-19 pandemic using a snowball sampling technique from July 2020 to June 2021. Level of stress associated with higher learning was assessed by Higher Education Stress Inventory scale (HESI) and coping strategies were assessed by the WHO Brief-COPE inventory. Results The mean age of the subjects was 21.63 ± 1.629 years. The mean score of the subjects for level of stress using HESI was 93.7 ± 11.35. The majority of the subjects had moderate stress (73%) related to e-learning followed by severe stress (27%). None of the participants had mild stress. Participants mostly used adaptive coping techniques to manage stress in both moderate and severe stress ( P < .001). Level of stress and year of study and monthly family income of the subjects were found to have a significant difference in mean scores ( P = .003). Year of the study and age had significant associations with adaptive coping techniques. Active coping (adaptive technique) was used by female students more than male students ( P = .02). Conclusion An increased awareness of e-learning and the specific stressors that students face, will allow educational institutions to offer specific and tailored support to their students.

Effectiveness of Psychosocial Intervention on Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life Among Women with Infertility

ABSTRACT Background: Infertility is a significant medical condition characterized by the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. It has profound psychological implications, affecting overall well-being and quality of life in affected women. Psychosocial interventions have been explored as potential strategies to improve psychological well-being and life satisfaction in this population. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in enhancing psychological well-being and quality of life among women experiencing infertility. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was employed. A total of 120 participants were selected using a convenient sampling method. Data were collected using a sociodemographic scale, the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) questionnaire. The intervention involved structured psychosocial support sessions, and pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results demonstrated a significant improvement in psychological well-being and quality of life post-intervention. The mean difference in psychological well-being scores was 25.39 (P = 0.01), while the mean difference in quality of life scores was 26.45 (P = 0.001), indicating a statistically significant positive effect. Conclusion: Psychosocial interventions play a crucial role in improving the psychological well-being and quality of life of women facing infertility. These findings suggest the need for integrating psychosocial support into infertility treatment programs to enhance overall patient outcomes.

Associations between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Female Sexual Function in a Preconception Cohort

Female sexual function is important for sexual well-being, general health, fertility, and relationship satisfaction. Distressing impairments in sexual function, clinically recognized as female sexual dysfunction (FSD), can manifest as issues with interest/desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain during vaginal penetration. Some evidence suggests that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may adversely affect female sexual function, but associations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have not been previously evaluated. We investigated associations between serum PFAS concentrations and female sexual function among U.S. pregnancy planners. We used cross-sectional data from participants from Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a prospective preconception cohort study. Participants reported sexual function at baseline on two validated measures: a modified version of the Female Sexual Function Index-6 (FSFI-6) and Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). We quantified PFAS serum concentrations in samples collected in the preconception period (i.e., at baseline) using solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-isotope-dilution-mass spectrometry. Participants reported sociodemographic information on structured baseline questionnaires. We included 78 participants with complete PFAS and sexual function data and fit multivariable linear regression models to estimate mean differences in FSFI-6 scores (β) or percent differences (%) in FSDS scores per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PFAS concentrations, adjusting for age, annual household income, years of education, parity, and body mass index. We further investigated effect measure modification by parity (parous vs. nulliparous) in stratified models. An IQR increase in perfluorohexanesulfonic acid was associated with a 1.0-point decrease (95% CI=-1.8, -0.1) in reported FSFI-6 scores, reflecting poorer sexual function. PFAS were consistently associated with lower FSFI-6 scores among parous participants. PFAS were also associated, though imprecisely, with greater sexual distress. Some PFAS were associated with poorer sexual function among parous U.S. pregnancy planners, but future studies are needed to clarify the extent to which PFAS influences female sexual health.

Readiness for self-directed learning among undergraduate medical students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during COVID-19, Pakistan.

The field of medical sciences has continuously been changing and evolving rapidly pertaining to the newly introduced practices and guidelines according to the principles of evidence-based medicine. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the healthcare practitioners to keep themselves updated and regulated through self-directed learning. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the readiness of self-directed learning among undergraduate medical students. A total of 824 students participated both from public and private medical colleges of KPK. A self-reported validated SRSSDL scale was used to obtain data. The perception of public and private medical colleges students was compared and analyzedusing SPSS version 24. Differences in SDL mean scores of student groups were analyzed through independent sample t-test for groups having two categories (e.g. gender, medical college setting etc.). Mean scores of all the five academic years were compared using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The levels of SDL readiness (e.g. good, average, poor) were cross tabulated with gender, medical college setting and academic years categories by using Chi-squaretest. the p - value was set at 0.05. The self-rated scale for SDL readiness among undergraduate medical students showed a mean score of 226.91 ± 30.074 (Minimum score = 81, Maximum score = 300) with a range of 219. On the whole, among 824 students, 61.3% of students reported good readiness for self-directed learning, 38.2% average readiness.Students enrolled in private medical colleges were more likely to report good readiness for SDL (58.4%) compared to those enrolled in public sector medical colleges (41.6%). The findings of this vast survey suggest that overall undergraduate medical students are ready for self-directed learning in their prevailing circumstances at undergraduate medical education. It also finds that students enrolled in private medical colleges are more likely to be ready for self-directed learning than those studying in public medical colleges.However, further research with qualitative analysis and longitudnal designs is recomended to explore factors promoting or preventing self directed learning.

Factors influencing nurses and nursing students' attitudes towards vaccinations: – A cross-sectional study

BackgroundVaccination hesitancy remains the main obstacle to improving vaccination coverage. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare professionals is essential. It is crucial to study the vaccination attitudes of healthcare professionals as they significantly influence the vaccination attitudes and behaviour of the rest of the population. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the attitudes of Finnish nurses and nursing students towards COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination and explain what factors influence these attitudes. DesignA cross-sectional study. Setting and participantsA total of 1353 nurses from five hospital organisations and 580 nursing students from eight Universities of Applied Sciences participated in the survey. Participants were invited to complete the questionnaire through Webropol between March and September 2023. MethodsTo collect data anonymously, a self-reported web-based questionnaire combining the Vaccination Attitude Examination (VAX) scale and Bergen's Social Media Addiction (BSMA) scale was used. K-means cluster analysis was performed to describe vaccination attitude profiles. ResultsFour distinct vaccination attitude profiles were identified: Profile A - Confident Pro-Vaccine (n = 605) exhibited low hesitancy, with high confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness; Profile B – Cautiously Pro-Vaccine (n = 764) showed moderate hesitancy, mainly concerned about unforeseen future effects; Profile C - Hesitant with Mistrust (n = 405) expressed high hesitancy, with significant worries about vaccine safety and mistrust in health authorities; and Profile D – Strongly Vaccine-Hesitant (n = 159) demonstrated very high hesitancy, marked by strong beliefs in potential long-term negative effects of vaccination. Significant differences in VAX-scale mean scores were found between the profiles, ranging from 1.27 for Profile A to 6.65 for Profile D. Overall, nursing students were more hesitant than practising nurses, with students being overrepresented in the more hesitant profiles. Clinical training in a COVID-19 unit was associated with more favourable vaccination attitudes among nursing students. The uptake of the full series of COVID-19 and annual Influenza vaccines was generally high in the sample (90.8 % and 87 %, respectively). However, a clear pattern between specific social media use and vaccination attitudes was not found. Major concerns related to vaccine hesitancy focused on the uncertainty of vaccines' long-term effects. ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into the complex nature of vaccination hesitancy among nurses and nursing students. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address underlying concerns and promote vaccine acceptance within this demographic. In future research, it would be essential to gather more in-depth knowledge, particularly regarding nursing students' attitudes towards vaccination and the factors influencing them.

Multi-Institutional Comparison of Quality of Life Between Open Versus Endoscopic Skull Base Approaches.

The primary objective of this prospective review was to compare quality of life between patients undergoing endoscopic and open skull base approaches. Prospective Review. Five centers recruited consecutive patients treated surgically for skull base neoplasms between 2012 to 2018. The Skull Base Inventory (SBI), Anterior Skull Base (ASB), and Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) were administered up to 12 months post-operatively. Mean change from baseline scores were compared with univariable and multivariable analyses. A total of 180 patients were included: 108 (60%) F and 72 (40%) M, of whom 126 (70%) underwent endoscopic and 54 (30%) underwent open approaches. Patients undergoing endoscopic approaches were more likely to have sellar or clival pathology (68 vs. 15%, p < 0.001). Those undergoing endoscopic approaches had better disease-specific quality of life at one year using the SBI and ASB (mean change from baseline = 7.2 vs. 0.69, p = 0.004; 5.8 vs. -1.1, p = 0.002), respectively. On multivariable analysis, endoscopic approach was associated with greater improvement in overall quality of life (mean difference in change scores from baseline = 6.5, p = 0.009), as well as endocrine (mean difference = 8.3, p = 0.011), neurologic (mean difference = 8.3, p = 0.012), visual (mean difference = 7.9; p = 0.032), financial (mean difference = 9.7, p = 0.03), and spiritual domain scores (mean difference = 4.0, p = 0.035). Subgroup analyses of pituitary and non-pituitary histopathologies demonstrated trends towards greater quality of life at 1-year compared to baseline in the endoscopic approach compared to the open group. Endoscopic approaches are associated with better quality of life compared to open approaches. However, baseline differences in histopathology between the group limit the direct comparison of the open and endoscopic approaches. Future studies with larger and more homogenous samples are required. Level IV evidence.

Effect of Buspirone on Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Buspirone shows promise in treating disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), particularly functional dyspepsia. However, findings have been mixed. We systematically searched for prospective studies testing buspirone for any upper gastrointestinal DGBI in 4 databases (Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo). The primary outcome was any validated measure of gastrointestinal symptoms. Anxiety, depression and adverse events were secondary outcomes. For randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we performed random-effects meta-analysis of the standardized mean difference (SMD) in post-treatment scores between buspirone and control groups. Risk of bias in RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Depression Anxiety and Neurosis Group (CCDAN) scale. Ten studies (n = 283) met inclusion criteria, comprising 5 RCTs, 1 N-of-1 trial, 1 cohort, 1 case series, and 2 case reports. Tolerability of buspirone was good. In meta-analysis, buspirone produced a non-significant improvement in functional dyspepsia/gastroparesis symptoms compared to placebo (SMD = -0.14; 95% CI, -0.44 to 0.17; P = 0.39; I2 = 0%; Nstudies = 3). Of individual symptoms, buspirone improved bloating severity more than placebo (SMD = -0.41; 95% CI, -0.77 to -0.04; P = 0.03; Nstudies = 2) but did not improve post-prandial fullness (P = 0.24, Nstudies = 2) or nausea (P = 0.75, Nstudies = 2). All RCTs included in the meta-analysis were good quality but most treated for only 4 weeks. We found that buspirone did not improve functional dyspepsia symptoms more than placebo, though studies were small. Buspirone showed benefit for bloating severity, albeit based on few studies. Larger and longer trials of buspirone, targeting more defined groups such as patients with bloating, are warranted.

Students’ Clarity of Conceptual Understanding and Medium of Instruction in the Biology Subject at Secondary School Level in the Hyderabad District

The language in which students are taught holds the key to their educational experiences and academic outcomes. This is perhaps the central issue in our educational system at every level. In the last 10 years, the language of instruction in our schools has seen a shift from Urdu to English at an unprecedented rate. The National Education Policy 2007 of Pakistan preferred Urdu over English. But in 2010, the Supreme Court made it compulsory for the federal government to adopt English as the medium of instruction and first language in addition to Urdu, which is the national language. The push for English-medium schools claims that mother tongue-based schools are not effective in producing universally competent students. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and an independent two-tailed t-test, were conducted. The ANOVA results were significant at an alpha level of 0.05, F(2, 187) = 42.55, p &lt; .001, indicating that the medium of instruction has a significant effect on student performance. The t-test further reinforced this, showing a significant mean score difference between students taught in their mother tongue versus a non-mother tongue, t(188) = 9.042, p &lt; .001.The study concludes that students who learned Biology in their mother tongue exhibited superior conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills, outperforming their peers taught in a non-mother tongue by approximately 45.74%. These findings offer vital insights for educational policymakers and practitioners, advocating for the use of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction to enhance cognitive capacity and academic achievement.

Effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy on resolution of steatohepatitis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common, can progress to cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation, and has no approved medical therapy in Canada. Objective We conducted a systematic review on whether glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) improve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) compared to standard care in NAFLD. Methods We searched Medline Ovid, EMBASE(Elsevier), Cochrane CENTRAL, Clinical Trials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform in November 2023 for randomized controlled trials. Inclusion criteria included patients ≥13 years with NAFLD receiving GLP-1RA for ≥6 months compared to standard care/placebo. Cochrane risk-of-bias 2.0 tool was used for each outcome. After screening results in duplicate, we performed meta-analysis and reported odds ratios (OR) for dichotomous and mean difference of change score for continuous outcomes. Results Six studies with 478 patients met inclusion criteria; 3 studies reported on the primary endpoint resolution of NASH. GLP-1RA likely leads to resolution of NASH (OR 4.45 (95% CI 1.92, 10.3)) and reduction in liver steatosis on imaging (–5.09% (95% CI −7.49, −2.69), but little to no reduction in liver stiffness on imaging (mean difference –0.17 kPa (95% CI −0.34, 0)). Interpretation Treatment with GLP-1RA in NAFLD patients for ≥6 months can probably lead to improvement in NASH on liver biopsy and reduce liver steatosis on imaging. Whether improvements in steatosis on biopsy or imaging results in clinically significant outcomes need to be elucidated as the effects of GLP-1RA on liver fibrosis are unclear; larger ongoing trials may provide more definitive answers. Protocol Registration: PROSPERO–CRD42023472186.

Investigating the impact of online learning on mathematical preparedness of first-year engineering students in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

This study investigated the effects of the sudden shift to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic on the mathematical preparedness of first-year engineering students. This study compared the mathematical readiness of students who graduated from Senior High School (SHS) K-12 programs in 2020 (face-to-face education) and graduates of SHS-2021 (online education) using a College Math Readiness Assessment (CMRA), an assessment tool for college level mathematics. This research used a quantitative-comparative design to investigate the 271 participants (156 from the SHS-2020 cohort and 115 from the SHS-2021 cohort). The findings revealed that 55% of the SHS-2021(online) and 48% of the SHS-2020 (face-to-face) based on their CMRA scores were classified as mathematically college-ready (MCR) for engineering programs. Although the online education cohort had a slightly higher percentage of MCR students, the difference in mean scores between the two groups was not statistically significant (t (210) = 1.97, p =0.15). However, the SHS-2021 cohort showed a wider distribution of scores with higher percentages of students in both the 'excellent' and 'poor' categories than the SHS-2020 cohort. The study concludes that while online learning during the pandemic did not significantly hinder overall mathematical preparedness for engineering programs, the variability in performance among online learners highlights the need for targeted support and interventions to ensure equitable learning experiences and outcomes for all students.

Efficacy of Orthognathic Surgery in OSAS Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a prevalent condition characterised by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep and associated morbidities. Orthognathic surgery (OGS) has been proposed as a treatment option for OSAS, aimed at anatomically repositioning the maxillofacial structures to alleviate airway obstruction. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of OGS in reducing apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores among OSAS patients. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases for studies assessing the outcomes of OGS in OSAS patients, focusing on changes in AHI and ESS scores. The inclusion criteria encompassed observational studies, cohort studies, and randomised control trials. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Random-effects meta-analysis was utilised to pool mean differences (MD) of AHI and ESS scores preoperatively and postoperatively, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated. A total of 8 studies met the inclusion criteria, where OGS was shown to be slightly more effective in correcting OSAS than the other modalities assessed, primarily CPAP. The pooled MD for AHI demonstrated a significant reduction in scores post-OGS (MD = 29.84, 95% CI: 14.17-45.50, p < 0.0001) with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 95%). For ESS, the pooled MD indicated a non-significant reduction (MD = 1.91, 95% CI: -1.29 to 5.12, p = 0.24) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 81%). Orthognathic surgery appears to be an effective intervention for reducing AHI in patients with OSAS, suggesting a potential to improve the objective measures of sleep apnea. However, the effect on subjective sleepiness scores, as evaluated by ESS, was not statistically significant. The high heterogeneity among studies warrants individualised patient assessment when considering OGS for OSAS. Further research is needed to identify factors contributing to the variability of outcomes and to assess the long-term benefits and risks associated with the procedure.

Adding Semi Elemental Enteral Nutrition Formula Improves Tolerance Without Compromising Bowel Preparation Quality for Colonoscopy: A Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aims conventional bowel preparation restricts dietary intake up to 72h prior to colonoscopy. Bowel preparation process is often perceived as unpleasant leading to poor compliance and subsequent poor bowel preparation. The aim of this trial is to compare the efficacy of low-residue semi-elemental enteral formula (LREF) incorporated diet versus the standard diet in polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based bowel preparation in the aim of creating a more tolerable bowel preparation regimen without compromising bowel cleanliness. This was a multicenter, prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled noninferiority trial. The noninferiority margin was set at 15%. One hundred sixty-seven patients were recruited and randomized to either the LREF group or the standard diet (SD) group using a 3L PEG preparation regimen. The LREF group results in comparable satisfactory preparation rating to the standard diet group with a mean BPPS score of 6.87 (SD 1.59) versus 7.14 (SD 1.54) (95% CI[-0.86; 0.32] and p=0.367). The mean difference (MD) of the BBPS total score between the two groups was -0.27 (95% CI [-0.764 and 0.224]). Equivalence were demonstrated using the two one-sided test (alpha=5%) with the lower t-value of 2.682 (p=0.0042) and the upper t-value of -4.493 (p<0.01). There was also no significant difference in PEG compliance, willingness to repeat the procedure and tolerance to the bowel preparation between the two groups. The LREF incorporated diet is equivalent to regimen in achieving satisfactory bowel cleanliness in patients undergoing PEG-based bowel preparation. We suggest that a LREF incorporated regimen for bowel preparation can be considered in patients who are unable to sustain prolonged fasting to improve the procedural experience.

Medication reconciliation: impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge, attitude and practices of healthcare professionals - a prospective quasi-experimental study in a Saudi referral hospital

BackgroundMedication reconciliation has been acknowledged as a key intervention against medication errors. More than half of the medication errors that happen during care transitions are caused by unjustified medication discrepancies and up to one-third of these mistakes may be harmful. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of health care providers in on medication reconciliation process, pre and post educational intervention.MethodsA hospital-based prospective quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 among 346 healthcare professionals (medical doctors, pharmacists and nurses) practicing in King Saud Hospital (KSH), Unayzah, Saudi Arabia. The subjects were recruited using the convenience sampling method.An educational intervention workshop was conducted among the healthcare professionals. The KAP was assessed before and after the educational intervention using a content and face validated self-administered questionnaire. The statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to differentiate the mean response scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice domains, between pre and post intervention. Kruskal Wallis Test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test was used to compare the mean response scores for knowledge, attitude and practice domains based on educational qualification and practicing experience for the pre and post-test period. The level of significance is determined at P < 0.05.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in the participants’ knowledge, attitude and practice after the educational intervention with mean scores of 0.72 (SD = 1.67, p < 0.0001*), 0.76 (SD = 1.97, p < 0.0001*), and 0.56 (SD = 2.05, p = 0.001*) respectively. The overall KAP scores showed a statistically significant enhancement after the education intervention with a mean score difference of 2.04 (SD = 4.76, p < 0.0001*).Our study upholds that MedRec is highly valued by the participants due to its significant role in reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety, and that it has the ability to recognize medication discrepancies and reduce adverse drug events.ConclusionThe education intervention effectively influenced the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare professionals regarding medication reconciliation. This study underscores the importance of continuous education and training for healthcare professionals to minimize medication discrepancies and improve patient care.

The Effect of Colchicine on Platelet Function Profiles in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: The ECLIPSE Pilot Study.

This prospective, single-arm pharmacodynamic study assessed the effect of colchicine (COLC) [Strides Pharma UK Ltd, Watford, Hertfordshire, England] 0.5mg administered orally once daily for 14 days on platelet reactivity with respect to aspirin reaction units (ARUs) and P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs). Twenty-two patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with daily maintenance aspirin and clopidogrel were recruited. Baseline platelet function was evaluated with the VerifyNow™ ARU and PRU assays (Werfen, Bedford, MA, USA) and assessed post-completion of COLC 0.5mg once daily for 14days. In this study, the median ARU baseline score was 463, and post-COLC it was 436, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.485). The mean difference in scores was -18.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] -74.34 to 37.71, p = 0.504). At baseline, 27.3% of the patients had "aspirin resistance" or were non-responders, compared to 13.6% post-COLC (p = 0.423). The median baseline PRU score was 210, and post-COLC it was 199, which was also not statistically significant (p = 0.581). The mean difference in scores was -7.31 (95% CI -31.1 to 16.5, p = 0.530). At baseline, 50% of the patients had "clopidogrel resistance" or were non-responders, compared to 45.5% post-COLC (p = 0.999). Two patients experienced mild gastrointestinal upset during the trial without interruption of COLC, and there were no serious adverse events or treatment-emergent adverse events. There were no significant differences in ARUs and PRUs post-COLC trial in patients with stable CAD. This pilot pharmacodynamic study could be clinically informative in patients on DAPT. Further studies are required to confirm these exploratory findings. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT06567678, prospectively registered 20/8/2024.

The Association Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in University Students: The Mediating Role of Lean Mass and the Muscle Strength Index.

recent studies have suggested that components typical of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) are associated with depression and anxiety prevention. In this sense, the main objective of this study was to analyse the associations between adherence to the MedDiet and depression and anxiety symptoms and to examine whether this relationship is mediated by lean mass and the muscle strength index (MSI). a cross-sectional study (based on data obtained from the Nuts4Brain-Z study) was conducted from 2023-2024, involving 428 university students, aged 18-30 years, from a Spanish public university. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and anxiety was assessed via the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) tool. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the MEDAS questionnaire. Lean mass was assessed via bioimpedance, and MSI was measured via a dynamometer. ANCOVA models were used to test the mean differences in depression and anxiety scores using MEDAS categories (low adherence < 9 points vs high adherence ≥ 9 points). Serial multiple mediation models, adjusted for the main confounders, were used to explore the role of lean mass and MSI in the relationships between adherence to the MedDiet and depression and anxiety symptoms. university students with high adherence to the MedDiet exhibited lower scores for depression and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.05) than did students with low adherence to the MedDiet. The mediation analysis preliminarily revealed that both lean mass and MSI acted as mediators of the relationships between adherence to the MedDiet and depression and anxiety. adherence to the MedDiet in university students per se does not appear to have a direct effect on depression and anxiety symptoms because these associations are partially (for depression) or entirely (for anxiety) explained by lean mass and MSI.

Knowledge of Mandatory Reporting Laws and Recording of Clients’ Abuse Data: Effects of a Sexual Health Curriculum Training for Health Students in Tanzania

ABSTRACT Tanzania mandated reporting laws aim to identify and address child abuse, yet healthcare students’ awareness and reporting are limited. This study assessed training’s impact on their knowledge of reporting laws and handling confidential child abuse data. The study involved 412 medical and nursing students in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), with 206 participants receiving sexual health training and a waitlist control group of equal size receiving no intervention. Baseline and 3-month follow-up assessments evaluated knowledge of mandatory reporting laws and recording practices. At the 3-month follow-up, the control group showed minimal knowledge improvement (+7.5% for item 1, −6% for item 2), whereas the intervention group showed significant gains (23.7% for item 1, 0.7% for item 2). Additionally, notable disparity in total scores for reporting and recording between the groups emerged from baseline to follow-up (t = -3.682, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 0.365). The intervention group (M = 0.527, SD = 1.630) had a larger mean difference score than the control group (M = -0.044, SD = 1.499). Therefore, the training significantly improved students’ knowledge of mandatory reporting laws and the recording of clients’ confidential information.

Effects of an intervention on immigrant parents' knowledge and attitudes toward their children's oral health: A cluster randomized trial in Norway.

There are no interventional studies on the oral health of immigrant children in Norway. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a culturally adapted oral health intervention for parental knowledge, attitude to oral hygiene, attitude to diet, and indulgence (permissiveness toward oral hygiene and sugar intake) concerning their children's oral health. A cluster randomized control trial, including immigrant parents of newborns, was conducted at seven health centers in Bergen (Norway) involving a 2-session one-to-one motivational interviews, toothbrushing demonstrations and pamphlets in the participants' native languages at baseline and after 6 months. Mean differences in outcome scores were assessed and compared between intervention and control groups using generalized linear mixed model. In an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (n=345), the estimated mean difference in parental attitude to diet and indulgence between the groups indicated more improvement in the control than in the intervention group in the adjusted models. For all outcomes within both groups, a slight positive change was observed in marginal mean scores from baseline to follow-up. The two culturally adapted intervention sessions had no impact on oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, and indulgence of immigrant parents. These findings suggest that more comprehensive interventions may be needed to improve parental knowledge and attitudes toward children's oral health. Trial Registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05758454.

The outcome of diabetic retinopathy health education program in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a quasi-experimental study.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) may develop into sight-threatening DR and vision loss if early intervention is not carried out. This study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of DR health education program for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The quasi-experimental research design was applied. The intervention group underwent a web-based DR health education program while the control group was followed up the usual way at an ophthalmology clinic for 1 year. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA and general linear model to evaluate the mean difference between groups. A total of 180 patients with T2DM were enrolled in the study, with equal number in the control and intervention groups, respectively, with 28% of dropout rate. There was a significant mean difference in knowledge score [F (1178) = 116.57, P = 0.001], diabetes self-care [F (1178) = 116.57, P = 0.001] and visual-related quality of life [F (1178) = 12.70), P = 0.001] between the control and the intervention groups. The intervention group scored the highest in all three categories. Educational interventions positively affected adherence to self-care and visual-related quality of life in type 2 diabetic patients as shown in this study. DRHEP should be considered an added benefit in T2DM management, starting with comprehensive care enrollment.

Changes in stress-related outcomes among graduate students following the Mindfulness Ambassador Program: A pilot study.

Graduate students face numerous demands, high stress levels, and associated challenges to intra- and inter-personal relationships. Mindfulness may help to ease such challenging experiences. The Mindfulness Ambassador Program (MAP) is a promising group-based program that has not yet been studied among graduate students. The primary objectives of this study were to: (1) explore graduate students' perceptions of stress, and their relationships with themselves and meaningful others; (2) explore graduate students' perspectives of and satisfaction with the MAP; and (3) investigate if participation in the MAP elicited changes in graduate students' perceived levels of stress, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and/or social connectedness. In this one-group, pre/post mixed-methods pilot study, nine participants completed pre-post questionnaires and participated in a semi-structured interview post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and paired t-tests. Pre-intervention, qualitative themes included participants experiencing moderate-to-high stress levels, intrapersonal conflict, interpersonal relationship challenges, and seeing oneself as a work in progress. Post-intervention themes included better stress management, increased consideration for oneself and others, feelings of connection with others, and overall satisfaction with the MAP. Statistically significant improvements were found from pre- to post-intervention in mean score differences for perceived stress (p = .043), private self-awareness (p = .006), awareness of immediate surroundings (p = .044), and social connectedness (p = .006). Participants reported several benefits from their positive experience participating in the MAP. These findings may be used to inform future mindfulness-based programming for graduate students.