Significance Level Research Articles

The Length of Xiphoid to Fundus as a Measure of Labor Progress: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Vaginal examination is widely recognized as the most common method for monitoring labor progress. However, researchers are currently exploring alternative methods, which are potentially less invasive or aggressive, to assess labor progress. Objective: This study aimed to assess the correlation between the length of the xiphoid to the fundus and the cervical dilation in the active phase of labor. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 pregnant women in Varamin, Iran. The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher- made questionnaire that included specific items regarding demographic characteristics, health status, and a checklist to record the results of examinations and labor progress. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multiple linear regression with SPSS 22 software. The significance level was considered to be p <0.05. Results: A total of 174 eligible women participated in the study, with a mean age of 25.90 ± 4.56 years (mean±SD) and a mean gestational age of 39.71 ± 1.03 weeks. There was a significant negative correlation between the length of the xiphoid to the fundus and cervical dilatation (p = 0.0001, r = -0.568). Conclusions: The study revealed a significant negative correlation between the length of the xiphoid to the fundus and the cervical dilation. Therefore, the xiphoid to fundus measurement can serve as an alternative and complementary examination in cases that need frequent vaginal examinations.

The contribution of green technological innovation, clean energy, and oil rents in improving the load capacity factor and achieving SDG13 in Saudi Arabia

This research aims to assess the effects of green technological innovation, renewable energy sources, and oil rents on the load capacity factor in Saudi Arabia from 1988 to 2021. The primary conclusions can be outlined as follows. The combined cointegration and Saikkonen-Lütkepohl cointegration tests reveal long-run relationships between the load capacity factor and the explanatory variables at the 1% significance level. In comparison, the Phillips-Ouliaris test shows evidence of cointegration only at 10%. Moreover, the quantile regression indicates that oil rents adversely impact environmental quality; however, they remain contingent upon environmental conditions. A 1% increase in oil rents results in a decline in environmental quality by 0.025% under poor conditions, 0.036% under moderate/normal conditions, and 0.108% under good conditions. On the contrary, renewable energy consumption and green technological innovation improve environmental quality, irrespective of the prevailing environmental conditions. However, the environmental impacts of renewable energy consumption exceed those of green technological innovation. Results show that a 1% increase in renewable energy consumption leads to a 0.052-0.253% improvement in environmental quality, whereas a 1% increase in green technological innovation results only in a 0.017-0.047% improvement. Finally, population and GDP per capita exert negative and positive implications on the load capacity factor, respectively, while energy intensity has no significant environmental effects. The research findings provide significant insights and suggest policy recommendations to address climate change and meet the targets set out in SDG13.

Health promoting lifestyle in educational setting: an intervention study in the universities

The "health promoting universities" strategy has gained popularity and a presence in the higher education system, particularly in universities. It is imperative for higher education establishments to prioritize the promotion of health within their student body and academic community. By safeguarding and boosting students' wellbeing, a strategy centered on encouraging healthy lifestyles has the potential to boost the university's contribution to health improvement and offer significant value to the community. Universities have the power to improve health promotion through community service and to make policies in this area through research and teaching. In order to investigate student behavior in relation to the standard aspects of the healthpromoting lifestyle profile, this project will undertake an intervention study involving 150 students with the goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle. A pretest and post-test control group design was employed in this investigation. The health-promoting lifestyle standard profile II questionnaire was the research instrument, and descriptive statistics and inference were employed for analysis at the .05 significant level. The outcomes demonstrated a noteworthy impact on the implemented measures. This study's findings indicated that interventions in learning environments successfully raised student behavior linked to a healthy lifestyle and its components.

Determination of Viscosity of Browntop Millet Grain Paste and Whole Browntop Millet Flour Paste

Background:: Methods of incorporating millets in daily diets are increasingly being explored to suit the consumer's changing needs. They are consumed mainly in low-middle-income countries. Data (functional, sensory, physical, and nutritional) to support browntop millet (BTM) use in various minimally processed/convenience foods is scanty. Objectives:: This study was carried out to study the water absorption capacity and viscosity of whole browntop millet (WBTM) grains and WBTM flour at different ratios with water after autoclaving and blending and to explore the scope of developed BTM pastes, which could be used for preparing a variety of products. Methods:: WBTM grain pastes and WBTM flour pastes were prepared in different ratios of water, such as 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, 1:3.5, 1:4, 1:4.5, 1:5, 1:5.5, 1:6, 1:6.5. Results:: It was found that the viscosity of pastes made from WBTM grain ranged from 40911 ± 1469 to 66867 ± 7469 mPa's at 24.2 ± 0. 2 to 24.7 ± 0.1˚C at 84.7 ± 3.3 to 95.3 ± 3.0% torque respectively. RPM ranged from 11.9 ± 0.2 to 18.6 ± 0.5. The viscosity of WBTM flour pastes ranged from 33874 ± 2864 to 45792 ± 1664 mPa's at 24.2 ± 0.1 to 24.5 ± 0.3°C at 81.7 ± 1.7 to 89.1 ± 3.0% torque with 10.8 ± 1.2 to 13.3 ± 3.2 RPM respectively. Conclusion:: The viscosity of WBTM grain pastes was statistically greater than the viscosity of WBTM flour pastes at a 5% significant level. Such pastes can be explored as convenience foods (ready to cook/ ready to eat) for use at household and commercial levels to produce products similar to bread, extruded products such as noodles, pasta, snacks etc.

Integrated global proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in A549 cells

Protein phosphorylation, a widely occurring and significant post-translational modification, is integral to various biological processes. We previously utilized a protein affinity probe to identify genes damaged by cisplatin, revealing that it inflicts substantial damage on protein kinase and protein phosphatase genes. In this study, we investigated cisplatin-induced alterations in the global proteome and phosphoproteome of A549 cells. Employing Fe-IMAC beads and tyrosine phosphorylation enrichment antibodies, we identified 6944 protein groups and 18,274 phosphorylation sites on 4,915 proteins across three biological replicates of both cisplatin-treated A549 cells and control cells. Among these, 730 tyrosine phosphorylation sites were identified—marking the most substantial discovery of such sites in A549 cells following cisplatin treatment. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the proteins exhibiting significant phosphorylation level changes predominantly involved in RNA processing, modification, transcription, translation, and the spliceosome. This suggests that cisplatin-induced damage to protein kinases and phosphatases may disrupt the normal function of these proteins, consequently impairing DNA replication, RNA translation, and shearing, ultimately culminating in tumor cell death. Moreover, we cross-referenced our proteomic data with our previously obtained cisplatin-damaged genes, observing that the majority of down-regulated proteins derived from cisplatin-induced gene damage. The data are available on ProteomeXchange under the identifier PXD053902.

Spousal Postpartum Social Support and Association with Sexual Function and Sexual Quality of Life among Breastfeeding Women

Background: The present study investigated the relationship between spousal support during postpartum period and the sexual function and sexual quality of life among lactating women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from October to March 2021 comprising 301 breastfeeding women referred to comprehensive health centers in Qazvin, Iran. The sampling method was performed in two stages. First, via cluster sampling, ten comprehensive health centers were randomly selected. Then based on the list of lactating mothers, 31 mothers in each center were randomly selected and invited to complete the survey. The survey included three psychometric instruments (i.e., Postpartum Partner Support Scale [PPSS], Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] and Sexual Quality of Life-Female version [SQOL-F]) as well as a reproductive and demographic information questionnaire. The findings were analyzed using univariable and multivariable regression models at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The participants had a mean age of 30.33 years and a mean length of marriage of 7.99 years. A total of 219 women were exclusively breastfeeding (72.8%), and 82 used a combination of breastfeeding and formula milk to feed their infants (27.2%). The mean (standard deviation) scores in the postpartum period were 61.34 out of 80 (SD=11.41) on the PPSS, 86.52 out of 108 (SD=19.68) on the SQOL-F, and 22.78 out of 36 (SD=6.20) on the FSFI. Based on adjusted multivariable regression models, spousal support in the postpartum period was a significant predictor of sexual quality of life (β=0.39, p<0.001) but not a significant predictor of sexual function. Sexual quality of life was a significant predictor of sexual function (β=0.44, p<0.001). Conclusion: Given the importance of spousal support during the postpartum period in relation to sexual quality of life and sexual function, designing and implementing counseling programs based on the role of spousal support during postpartum sexual life would be helpful.

Glass Ionomer Modified with Bacterial Cellulose Nanocrystals. An In Vitro Analysis Assessing Shear Bond Strength and Microleakage Scores in Deciduous Dentition

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) and microleakage of bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (BCNCs) incorporated into conventional glass ionomer cement (CGIC) when bonded to deciduous dentin. Sixty primary first and second molars with class I cavitated dentinal lesions were preserved and randomly allocated into two groups based on the technique used for caries removal. Group 1 utilized the conventional approach for caries removal, while Group 2 used Carie Care™ for caries removal. Each of these groups was further divided into two subgroups based on the type of restoration received. Microleakage and failure mode assessments were performed using a stereomicroscope, while SBS testing was conducted using a universal testing machine. The SBS and microleakage scores were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test with a significance level of p=0.05. Specimens from Group 1A (conventional approach+CGIC) presented the highest scores of marginal leakage, while Group 1B (conventional approach+BCNCs-modified CGIC) demonstrated the lowest values of microleakage. Additionally, samples from Group 2B (Carie Care™+BCNCs-modified CGIC) revealed the highest bond integrity scores. The incorporation of BCNCs into CGIC had a positive impact on both shear bond strength and marginal leakage when bonded to the dentin substrate. This modification improved the performance of the glass ionomer cement, enhancing its applicability in dental restorations.

Network and systems biology approaches help investigate gene regulatory interactions between Salmonella disease and host in chickens: Model-based in silico evidence combined with gene expression assays.

Salmonella enteritidis (SE), a previously widespread infectious disease, is still cited as a major factor in economic losses in commercial chicken production. The host's genetic immune system determines the pathogenicity of a particular bacterium. To shed light on this topic, it was necessary to understand the key candidate genes essential for regulating susceptibility and resistance to the target disease. The field of poultry farming in particular has benefited greatly from the connection between quantitative and molecular genetics. This study aims to identify the most important immune-related genes and their signalling pathways (gene ontology, co-expression and interactions) and to analyse their accumulation in host-resistant SE diseases by combining gene expression assays with model-based in silico evidence. A two-step experimental design is followed. To start, we used free computational tools and online bioinformatics resources, including predicting gene function using a multiple association network integration algorithm (geneMania), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, the Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database and the stimulator of interferon genes. Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), interferon-γ (IFNγ), immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and interleukin 8 (IL8) were among the five genes whose expression levels in liver, spleen, and cecum were evaluated at 1107 SE after 48h of inoculation. This molecular study was developed in the second phase of research to validate the in silico observations. Next, we use five promising biomarkers for relative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) quantification: TLR4, IL8, NRAMP1, IFNγ and IgY genes in two case and control assays. The 2-∆∆Ct Livak and Schmittgen method was used to compare the expression of genes in treated and untreated samples. This method normalizes the expression of the target gene to that of actin, an internal control and estimates the change in expression relative to the untreated control. Internal control was provided by the Beta actin gene. Next, statistically, the postdoc test was used for the evaluation of treatments using SAS version 9.4, and p values of 0.05 and 0.01 were chosen for significant level. Interestingly, the results of our study suggest the involvement of various factors in the host immune response to Salmonella. These include inducible nitric oxide synthase, NRAMP1, immunoglobulin light chain (IgL), transforming growth factor B family (TGFb2, TGFb3 and TGFb4), interleukin 2 (IL2), apoptosis inhibitor protein 1 (IAP1), TLR4, myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2), IFNγ, caspase 1 (CASP1), lipopolysaccharide-induced tumour necrosis factor (LITAF), cluster of differentiation 28 (CD28) and prosaposin (PSAP). The summary of gene ontology and related genes found for SE resistance was surprisingly comprehensive and covered the following topics: positive regulation of endopeptidase activity, interleukin-8 production, chemokine production, interferon-gamma production, interleukin-6 production, positive regulation of mononuclear cell proliferation and response to interferon-gamma. The role of these promising biomarkers in our networks against SE susceptibility is essentially confirmed by these results. After 48h, the spleen showed significant expression of the tissue-specific gene expression patterns for NRAMP1 and IL8 in the cecum, spleen and liver. Based on this information, this report searches for resistance and susceptibility lineages in most genomic regions for SE. In conclusion, the development of an appropriate selection program to improve resistance to salmonellosis can be facilitated by a comprehensive understanding of the immune responses of the chicken immune system after SE exposure.

Morphological and genetic characterization of mutants of Gladiolus cultivar prince of orange for two successive vegetative generations

Gladiolus mutants developed using gamma irradiations and EMS treatments were characterized using morphological, genetic and Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) based Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) for designing future breeding strategies. As many as 7 mutants based on phenotypic variations such as colour and shape modifications were subjected to molecular characterization using 11 ISSR primers that confirmed variations. ISSR markers showed 13.88 to 36.00 percent polymorphism among the mutants was recorded, signifying variability among different mutants. UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean) based analysis of cluster separated gladiolus variety prince of orange mutants into four clusters. ISSR markers were subjected for comparative analysis like effective multiplex ratio, marker index, polymorphic information content and resolving power wherein, highest EMR (3.24), MI (1.32) were found for UBC 810, Rp (4.37) values were found for UBC 827, and maximum PIC value (0.46) for ISSR 22218 UBC 812. The results clearly indicated the reproducibility of ISSRs and their ability to detect variability among the mutants. A significant level of genetic variation was depicted by ANOVA which suggested the usefulness of studies in gladiolus breeding and unique bands obtained could be utilized for mutant/ varietal identification.

The Frequency of Intraventricular Hemorrhage and its Risk Factors.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (is the most prevalent type of cerebrovascular accident in premature infants, which can result in lasting neurological complications. The aim of this study was to ascertain the frequency of IVH and its associated risk factors within our particular context. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit of a maternal and neonatal hospital from September 2018 to August 2019. Premature infants under 34 weeks of age and with birth weight < 1500 grams who did not have significant congenital anomalies participated in the study. A brain ultrasound was performed by a sonologist during the first week. The infants were subsequently categorized into two groups: those with and without IVH. A comparative analysis was conducted using the chi-square test and logistic regression. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 205 premature infants who completed the study, IVH was reported in 107 cases (52.1%), of which 97.3% of ventricular hemorrhages were grade I and II and 2.7% accounted for severe bleeding (grade III and IV). Gestational age less than 28 weeks, weight less than 1000 g, vaginal delivery, asphyxia and resuscitation, history of intubation and mechanical ventilation, cord blood acidity, dopamine infusion, and history of fever and chorioamnionitis in the mother have been found to be significantly associated with increased risk of IVH (p<0.001). Antenatal corticosteroids decreased the risk (OR=10.63). In this study, IVH has been found to be common in infants under 1500 g of weight, but the severe form was low in frequency and was observed significantly in high-risk pregnancies.

Perceived compassionate care and preoperative anxiety in hospitalized patients.

Quality nursing care and ethical responses to patient pain and suffering are very important in the preoperative period. However, few studies have addressed these variables. This study aimed to examine the relationship between compassionate care and preoperative anxiety from the perspective of hospitalized patients. The current study was a cross-sectional descriptive one. The participants were selected using convenience sampling. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Burnell Compassionate Care Tool, and Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). The collected data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 22) through descriptive and inferential statistics at a significance level of 0.05 (p < .05). This study was conducted on 704 candidates for surgery in the internal and surgical wards of a large teaching hospital located in the south of Iran from December 2022 to March 2023. The protocol for this study was reviewed and approved by the University Ethics Committee. The patients' average age was 36.61 ± 13.07. The average preoperative anxiety and need for information scores were 13.80 ± 2.66 and 7.44 ± 1.47, respectively. The average score of importance was 3.03 ± 0.19, and the average score of the extent of compassionate care provision was 1.22 ± 0.15. There was a significant relationship between preoperative anxiety with importance and the extent of compassionate care provision (r = 0.68, p < .001), r = -0.72, p < .001, respectively). A comparison of the demographic characteristics, need for information, importance, and provision of compassionate care showed that the extent of compassionate care provision had the greatest contribution in explaining preoperative anxiety (β = 0.50; p < .001). Even though patients' preoperative anxiety was high and providing compassionate care in the preoperative period had a great role in relieving their anxiety, many participants appear to have received little compassionate care. To this end, nursing managers should pay attention to the quality of compassionate care in the preoperative stage. Besides, healthcare staff should receive the necessary training in compassionate nursing care.

Decoding the impact of political uncertainty on IPO underpricing in China

PurposePolitical factors play a crucial role in China's initial public offering (IPO) market due to its distinctive institutional context (i.e. “economic decentralization” and “political centralization”). Given the significant level of IPO underpricing in China, we examine the impact of local political uncertainty (measured by prefecture-level city official turnover rate) on IPO underpricing.Design/methodology/approachUsing 2,259 IPOs of A-share listed companies from 2001 to 2019, we employ a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the channel (voluntarily lower the issuance price vs aftermarket trading) through which political uncertainty affects IPO underpricing. We check the robustness of the results using bootstrap tests, adopting alternative proxies for political uncertainty and IPO underpricing and employing subsample analysis.FindingsLocal official turnover-induced political uncertainty increases IPO underpricing by IPO firms voluntarily reducing the issuance price rather than by affecting investor sentiment in aftermarket trading. These relations are stronger in firms with pre-IPO political connections. The effect of political uncertainty on IPO underpricing is also contingent upon the industry and the growth phase of an IPO firm, more pronounced in politically sensitive industries and firms listed on the growth enterprise market board.Originality/valueLocal government officials in China usually have a short tenure and Chinese firms witness significantly severe IPO underpricing. By introducing the SEM model in studying China IPO underpricing, this study identifies the channel through which local government official turnover to political uncertainty on IPO underpricing.

Parenting styles as predictors to female students’ sexual promiscuity in tertiary institution in delta state

This study investigated the relationship between parenting styles and female students’ sexual promiscuity in tertiary institutions in Delta State. The study was led by two research questions and two hypotheses. The study used an ex-post facto research design with a correlational technique. The population comprised all female students of tertiary institutions in Delta Central Senatorial District with a total sample of 1,566 students. Questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. The questionnaire was validated by experts’ judgement and factor analysis, with a sound psychometric property indicating that the instrument is valid and reliable. The data obtained were analysed with the aid of regression statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed a significant relationship between parenting styles and sexual promiscuity and that the relationship can be moderated by socio-economic status of parents. The study recommended amongst others that Parents should improve on their relationship with their adolescents and choose the right parenting style that will help the adolescents to abstain from risky sexual behaviour.

Retrospective evaluation of the impact of atropine administration on incidence of post-operative colic in healthy, isoflurane-anaesthetised horses.

In anaesthetised horses, bradycardia secondary to high vagal tone can reduce cardiac output and blood pressure. The use of anticholinergics in horses is limited due to concerns about ileus and abdominal discomfort. This retrospective study sought to determine the prevalence of post-operative abdominal discomfort in healthy horses that received atropine under isoflurane anaesthesia. A retrospective evaluation of 222 general anaesthesia events between January 2019 and December 2019 was undertaken. One hundred and eleven horses that received atropine were identified, and 111 case match controls that did not receive atropine were also selected. Information gathered from the medical records included signalment, anaesthetic drugs, surgical procedures, duration of anaesthesia and surgery, dobutamine and atropine administration, and the occurrence of abdominal discomfort for 24 h after anaesthesia. After initial data analysis, a second cohort of records was assessed separately. The horses in this group were castrated under general anaesthesia (with or without atropine; n = 68). Logistic regression models and Fisher's exact tests were used to look for factors contributing to abdominal discomfort post-anaesthesia. The significance level was set to 5% (p < 0.05). Atropine administration was not associated with the development of post-anaesthetic abdominal discomfort (OR = 2.121, 95% CI [0.767, 5.869]; p = 0.2). Overall, 18/222 (8.1%) incidences of abdominal discomfort were identified. All incidents occurred in colts undergoing castration. In a separate analysis of only horses anaesthetised for castration, atropine was associated with developing abdominal discomfort (OR = 3.143, 95% CI [1.082, 9.132]; p = 0.04). Atropine was not associated with post-operative abdominal discomfort except in colts undergoing castration. All episodes of discomfort were mild and resolved with minimal intervention. The potential impact of insufficient analgesia in horses undergoing castration is a confounding factor and requires prospective investigation. Overall, atropine at a dose of 0.006 mg/kg IV appears to be a safe method to treat bradycardia in otherwise healthy horses anaesthetised for orthopaedic and upper airway procedures. Further work is required to determine if atropine is safe for colts undergoing castration.

The effect of variability knee tuck jump training and box jump training on the explosive capabilities of legs muscles

The problem in this research is the low jumping ability of male volleyball athletes which effect on the decreased performance. The aim of this research is to know the effect of knee tuck training and box jump training on the explosive capability of the legs muscles of volleyball athletes. The type of the research is quasi-experiment with the research population is all male volleyball athletes at SMK 1 Solok Selatan which totally 24 athletes aged 17 years. The technique of sampling which is used is total sampling with a sample is 24 athlete. The instrument in this research is to use Vertical Jump to measure the explosive power of leg muscles. Before giving a treatment, an initial test (pte-test) is carried out to see the explosive power of leg muscles. The testees used as a samples are drawn into two groups. The group 1 is given the Knee Tuck Jump training treatment and the group 2 is given Box Jump Training treatment. This treatment is given 16 times (8 weeks), then the final test will be given. The data analysis technique which is used to test the hypothesis is t analysis at the significance level of 5%. Based on the data analysis in this study, 1) the Knee Tuck Jump get an average increase of (7.703) and was marked by getting t count (10.631)&gt; t table(1.796). It means that the application of Knee Tuck Jump can increase the explosive power capability of leg muscles, 2) the Box Jump training get an average increase (2.456) and was marked by getting t count (9.240)&gt; t table (1.769), it means that the application of the Box Jump training can increase the explosive power of leg muscles, 3) there was an influence training. Where in Knee Tuck Jump is getting the average increase is (7.703) while the box jump training is (2.456) and is indicated by getting t count (2.05)&gt;t table (1.796). It means that the application of Knee Tuck Jump training and Box jump training could increase the explosive power capability of the leg muscles, where the Knee Tuck Jump training shows better results in increasing the explosive power of the leg muscles. Coaches apply knee tuck jump training at the right age level to achieve maximum results according to the athlete's training capacity.

The effect of a holistic approach training model on increasing the speed and agility of tennis athletes

Purpose: Physical condition is an essential element required by tennis athletes. Without proper physical conditioning, players cannot perform optimally. The physical condition of tennis athletes at Club Nusalima, Pekanbaru, Indonesia, is still not optimal, as evidenced by their low achievements this year, with no athletes ranked nationally by Pelti. Two of the most important physical conditions required by tennis players are agility and speed. Methods: This study aimed to determine the effect of a training method using a holistic approach on improving the physical condition—specifically agility and speed—of tennis athletes at Club Nusalima, Pekanbaru, Indonesia. The research was conducted as an experimental study using purposive sampling, with a sample consisting of 10 young athletes aged 15-17 from the club. The research design used was a "One Group Pretest-Posttest" approach. The instruments used to collect data were the 505 Agility Test and the 20-meter sprint test for speed. Results: The data analysis technique used was the t-test with a significance level of 5%. For agility, the results showed that the t-table value was 2.26 and the t-count value was 3.26, which is greater than 2.26, indicating a significant improvement in agility. Similarly, for speed, the t-test analysis showed that the t-count value was 3.04, which was also greater than the t-table value of 2.26, confirming a significant improvement in speed. Although the improvement in agility (0.24 seconds) was greater than the improvement in speed (0.07 seconds), both metrics showed a significant positive effect from the holistic training approach. Conclusion: The holistic training method significantly improved both agility and speed in tennis athletes at Club Nusalima. Agility improved from an average of 2.81 seconds to 2.74 seconds, and speed also showed measurable improvement from 3.04 seconds to 2.96 seconds. These findings suggest that the holistic approach is an effective model for enhancing physical performance in tennis players.

The differences effects of lunges vs. squats exercise programs on the swimming speed 50-meters butterfly style: a quasi-experimental study

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of lunges vs. squats exercise on the swimming speed of the 50-meter butterfly stroke among athletes aged 10-13 in KU III and IV categories. Approach: An experimental method employing a two-group pre-test and post-test design was utilized. The study population consisted of athletes affiliated with the SeaRia Aquatic swimming association. Purposive sampling was employed, selecting male swimmers aged 10-13 who were members of the Searia Aquatic swimming club and willing to participate in training during the study. Twenty athletes met the inclusion criteria. The speed test was conducted using the 50-meter butterfly stroke. Statistical data analysis was performed using t-test with SPSS 25 software, employing a significance level of 0.05. Results: The analysis revealed significant effects: (1) lunge training demonstrated a significant improvement in the swimming speed of the 50-meter butterfly stroke among athletes aged 10-13 at the SeaRia Aquatic swimming association (t-count = 6.046, t-table = 2.23, P &lt; 0.05); (2) similarly, squat training led to a significant enhancement in the swimming speed of the 50-meter butterfly stroke among the same age group at the SeaRia Aquatic swimming association (t-count = 6.086, t-table = 2.23, P &lt; 0.05). Collectively, both lunges and squats positively influenced swimming speed in the 50-meter butterfly stroke among athletes aged 10-13 affiliated with the Searia Aquatic swimming association. Conclusion: This study underscores the beneficial effects of incorporating lunges vs. squats into training regimens for young athletes aiming to improve their swimming performance, particularly in the butterfly stroke. This study found that squats are more effective than lunges in improving performance in the butterfly swimming stroke. These findings offer valuable insights for coaches, trainers, and athletes interested in enhancing their competitive edge in swimming, particularly in butterfly style.

Myocardial perfusion SPECT radiomic features reproducibility assessment: Impact of image reconstruction and harmonization.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has one of the highest mortality rates in humans worldwide. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) provides clinicians with myocardial metabolic information non-invasively. However, there are some limitations to interpreting SPECT images performed by physicians or automatic quantitative approaches. Radiomics analyzes images objectively by extracting quantitative features and can potentially reveal biological characteristics that the human eye cannot detect. However, the reproducibility and repeatability of some radiomic features can be highly susceptible to segmentation and imaging conditions. We aimed to assess the reproducibility of radiomic features extracted from uncorrected MPI-SPECT images reconstructed with 15 different settings before and after ComBat harmonization, along with evaluating the effectiveness of ComBat in realigning feature distributions. A total of 200 patients (50% normal and 50% abnormal) including rest and stress (without attenuation and scatter corrections) MPI-SPECT images were included. Images were reconstructed using 15 combinations of filter cut-off frequencies, filter orders, filter types, reconstruction algorithms, number of iterations and subsets resulting in 6000 images. Image segmentation was performed on the left ventricle in the first reconstruction for each patient and applied to 14 others. A total of 93 radiomic features were extracted from the segmented area, and ComBat was used to harmonize them. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and overall concordance correlation coefficient (OCCC) tests were performed before and after ComBat to examine the impact of each parameter on feature robustness and to assess harmonization efficiency. The ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of ComBat in correcting feature distributions. In addition, the Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and signed-rank tests were implemented to assess the significance level of the impacts made by each parameter of different batches and patient groups (normal vs. abnormal) on radiomic features. Before applying ComBat, the majority of features (ICC: 82, OCCC: 61) achieved high reproducibility (ICC/OCCC ≥ 0.900) under every batch except Reconstruction. The largest and smallest number of poor features (ICC/OCCC<0.500) were obtained by IterationSubset and Order batches, respectively. The most reliable features were from the first-order (FO) and gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) families. Following harmonization, the minimum number of robust features increased (ICC: 84, OCCC: 78). Applying ComBat showed that Order and Reconstruction were the least and the most responsive batches, respectively. The most robust families, in a descending order, were found to be FO, neighborhood gray-tone difference matrix (NGTDM), GLCM, gray-level run length matrix (GLRLM), gray-level size zone matrix (GLSZM), and gray-level dependence matrix (GLDM) under Cut-off, Filter, and Order batches. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed that the number of robust features significantly differed under most batches in the Normal and Abnormal groups. The majority of radiomic features show high levels of robustness across different OSEM reconstruction parameters in uncorrected MPI-SPECT. ComBat is effective in realigning feature distributions and enhancing radiomic features reproducibility.

Role of urea to creatinine ratio in the prediction of outcomes in chronic heart failure

Abstract Background Renal function predicts events in chronic heart failure (HF). Urea to creatinine ratio (UCR) is a simple and cheap biomarker which correlates with neuroendocrine pathways. Objectives Evaluate the prognostic role of UCR in patients with chronic HF. Methodology 86 patients with chronic HF from an academic hospital were included (with reduced, mildly reduced or improved left ventricular ejection fraction). UCR was calculated at baseline, and patients were followed for a median of 360 (interquartile range 180-472) days. We plotted ROC curves for NT-proBNP and UCR and evaluated two scenarios using the Kaplan-Meier curve to determine the event-free survival. We grouped patients into four subgroups: a) UCR and NT-proBNP below the cut-off; b) UCR above and NT-proBNP below; c) UCR below and NT-proBNP above; and d) both above the cut-off. A second scenario was analysed, grouped as follows: a) UCR and NT-proBNP below; b) at least one of them above the cut-off; and c) both above the cutoff. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular death or HF hospitalisation. The level of significance was 5%. Results The mean age was 66.1±12.1y, and 60.5% were male. There were 28 events in the follow-up (32.5%). The ROC curve for UCR had an AUC of 0.75 (CI 0.64-0.86; p=0.0002) for a cut-off of 43.8 (sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 70.7%). The AUC for NT-proBNP was 0.64 (0.51-0.77; p=0.043) for a cut-off of 2010 pg/mL (sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 65.5%). In the Cox regression model, the UCR was the only independent predictor with HR of 1.06 per 1 unit increase (1.03-1.10; p=0.0002). UCR above cut-off (as a categorical variable) was the only independent predictor, with HR 5.34 (2.26-12.6; p=0.0001). Kaplan-Meier curves in Figures 1 and 2 show the UCR performance associated with NT-proBNP. Conclusions UCR is a simple and cheap biomarker that has been shown to have predictive power, probably due to persistent neuroendocrine activation in patients with low volume. In this population, elevated UCR added risk even in patients with low levels of NT-proBNP.

Clinical and peri procedural outcomes using reduced dose prasugrel vs standard dose ticagrelor in elderly patients of acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI

Abstract Introduction The novel antiplatelet agent prasugrel is generally not indicated in elderly(&amp;gt;75-years) patients in standard dose(60 mg loading and 10 mg maintenance) however, there is a scarce data on safety and efficacy of reduced dose prasugrel(30 mg loading and 5 mg maintenance dose) among elderly patients undergoing elective PCI. Some previous studies have raised concerns regarding the differences in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic responses to prasugrel in asian ethnicities. The efficacy and safety of reduced dose prasugrel in elderly patients has not been investigated. Therefore, in this study we have compared the efficacy and safety of a reduced dose prasugrel with standard dose ticagrelor in elderly Indian patients undergoing elective PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Purpose To study the periprocedural and intermediate term clinical outcomes using reduced dose prasugrel versus standard dose ticagrelor in elderly Indian patients of acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI. Methods This was a single centre, randomised, prospective cohort study. Based on the previous reference studies, at 95% level of significance and 80% of power, the sample size was calculated as 73 in each group. Study was conducted from May 2021 to October 2022 (18 months). Patients &amp;gt;75 years of age with ST-segment–elevation (STE) or Non ST elevation (NSTE) ACS treated with PCI were included. The study was approved by the institutional ethics review board. Participants were assigned to receive a standard dose of ticagrelor (180 mg loading followed by 90 mg twice daily, n=73) or a reduced dose prasugrel (30 mg loading followed by 5 mg once daily, n=73). The primary efficacy end point of the study was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiovascular mortality , non fatal MI and stroke. The secondary safety end points were major and minor bleeding events. Patients were followed up at 15 days, 3 months and 6 months. Results The baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were comparable in the both groups. The composite of primary efficacy end points at 6 months occurred significantly more in ticagrelor group vs reduced dose prasugrel group(13.7% vs 4.1% P value=0.05) and composite of secondary safety end point were comparable in both the groups(21.9% vs 16.4% respectively, p=0.44). Dyspnoea was seen more frequently in standard dose ticagrelor group as compared to reduced dose prasugrel group (15.1% vs. 6.8% respectively, p value=0.133). Conclusion The results of our study indicate that the reduced dose prasugrel is safe in elderly patients, has similar bleeding events as compared to standard dose ticagrelor group and is better tolerated. The reduced dose prasugrel is significantly more efficacious as compared to standard dose ticagrelor in elderly patients in terms of reduced MACE events. Although large scale randomized studies may be warranted in such populations to draw a broader conclusion.Baseline characteristicsEnd results