Substantial Correlation Research Articles

Association of Liver Fibrosis Markers with Mortality Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from the NHANES 1999-2018 Data.

The objective of this research is to explore the possible link between markers of liver fibrosis and survival rates in a group of adults who have been diagnosed with both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (1999-2018) for participants with both CAD and CKD were analyzed. The Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4), Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Score (NFS), Forns index and Aspartate Aminotransferase/Alanine Aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio were identified as crucial biomarkers. All-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality were primary outcomes, assessed using Cox models, Kaplan-Meier curves, and ROC analysis. A total of 1,192 CKD and CAD patients were included. The Cox regression analysis revealed substantial correlations between elevated FIB-4, NFS, Forns index and AST/ALT levels and a heightened risk of all-cause (HR 1.188, 95%CI 1.108-1.274; HR 1.145, 95%CI 1.069-1.227; HR 1.142, 95%CI 1.081-1.201; HR 1.316, 95%CI 1.056-1.639, respectively) and CVD mortality (HR 1.133, 95%CI 1.007-1.275; HR 1.155, 95%CI 1.024-1.303; HR 1.208, 95%CI 1.109-1.316 and HR 1.636, 95%CI 1.203-2.224, respectively). The ROC analysis indicated comparable predictive accuracy for all three biomarkers, with AST/ALT showing slightly superior performance. Liver fibrosis markers, including AST/ALT, NFS, Forns index and FIB-4, are significant mortality predictors in CAD-CKD patients. The AST/ALT ratio, being easily measurable, may serve as an effective predictive tool for risk stratification in this population.

Improved Items for Estimating SF-36 Profile and Summary Component Scores: Construction and Validation of an 8-item QOL General (QGEN) Survey.

Comprehensive health-related quality of life (QOL) assessment under severe respondent burden constraints requires improved single-item scales for frequently surveyed domains. This article documents how new single-item-per-domain (SIPD) QOL General (QGEN-8) measures were constructed for domains common to SF-36 and results from the first psychometric tests comparing scores for the new measure in relation to those for the SF-36 profile and summary components. Online NORC surveys of adults, ages 19-93 (mean=52y) representing the US population in 2020 (N=1648) included QGEN-8 and SF-36 items measuring physical (PF), social (SF), role physical (RP) and role emotional (RE) functioning and feelings of bodily pain (BP), vitality (VT), and mental health (MH). QGEN-8 items were constructed with response categories increasing score ranges for functioning (PF, SF, RP, RE) and directly measuring first-order factors for feelings (BP, VT, and MH). Analyses compared ceiling effects, convergent-discriminant correlations, classic and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) testing for higher-order physical and mental components, and validity in discriminating across groups differing in comorbid condition severity. QGEN-8 reduced response times by 75% and lowered ceiling effect percentages (-2.2% to -27.8%, median=-14%) in comparison with SF-36. Their common measurement model was supported by: (1) substantial convergent correlations (r=0.576-0.778, median r=0.721) between methods for all domains; (2) lower discriminant correlations between different domains; (3) patterns of factor loadings equivalent to previous studies and adequate CFA model fit; (4) high correlations between methods for physical (r=0.813) and mental (r=0.761) component scores; and (5) equivalent average declines across groups reporting worse comorbid conditions. Overall, results support the use of QGEN-8 to reduce respondent burden and ceiling effects while maintaining convergent and discriminant validity sufficient to estimate group-level SF-36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) summary scores. To facilitate its use, QGEN-8 has been made available in multiple languages from the non-profit Mapi Research Trust at https://eprovide.mapi-trust.org.

Sex-specific associations between body composition and depression among U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDepression presents sexual dimorphism, and one important factor that increases the frequency of depression and contributes to sex-specific variations in its presentation is obesity. The conventional use of Body Mass Index (BMI) as an indicator of obesity is inherently limited due to its inability to distinguish between fat and lean mass, which limits its predictive utility for depression risk. Implementation of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) investigated sex-specific associations between body composition (fat mass, appendicular lean mass) and depression.MethodsData from the NHANES cycles between 2011 and 2018 were analyzed, including 3,637 participants (1,788 males and 1,849 females). Four body composition profiles were identified in the subjects: low adiposity-low muscle (LA-LM), low adiposity-high muscle (LA-HM), high adiposity-low muscle (HA-LM) and high adiposity-high muscle (HA-HM). After accounting for confounding variables, the associations between fat mass index (FMI), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), body fat percentage (BFP), body composition phenotypes, and depression risk were assessed using restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves and multivariable logistic regression models. We further conducted interaction analyses for ASMI and FMI in females.ResultsRCS curves indicated a U-shaped relationship between ASMI and the risk of depression in males. Logistic regression analysis revealed that in males, the second (OR = 0.43, 95%CI:0.22–0.85) and third (OR = 0.35, 95%CI:0.14–0.86) quartile levels of ASMI were significantly negatively associated with depression risk. In females, increases in BFP (OR = 1.06, 95%CI:1.03–1.09) and FMI (OR = 1.08, 95% CI:1.04–1.12) were significantly associated with an increased risk of depression. Additionally, compared to females with a low-fat high-muscle phenotype, those with LA-LM (OR = 3.97, 95%CI:2.16–7.30), HA-LM (OR = 5.40, 95%CI:2.34–12.46), and HA-HM (OR = 6.36, 95%CI:3.26–12.37) phenotypes were more likely to develop depression. Interestingly, further interaction analysis of ASMI and FMI in females revealed an interplay between height-adjusted fat mass and muscle mass (OR = 4.67, 95%CI: 2.04–10.71).ConclusionThe findings demonstrate how important it is to consider body composition when estimating the risk of depression, particularly in females. There is a substantial correlation between the LA-LM, HA-LM, and HA-HM phenotypes in females with a higher prevalence of depression. It is advised to use a preventative approach that involves gaining muscle mass and losing fat.

Association between TLR 2 (rs3804099), TLR4 (rs4986790), and TLR 9 (rs187084) polymorphism and leukemia risk: a systematic reviewand meta-analysis.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial components of innate immunity. A specific form of genetic variation in TLR genes may increase the chance of developing leukemia. The present investigation conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to examine the correlation between three TLR polymorphisms, namely TLR2 (rs3804099), TLR4 (rs4986790), and TLR9 (rs187084), within the leukemia risk group. An in-depth literature search was performed using Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar to identify noteworthy research published in these scientific databases from 2012 to 2024. Research articles were evaluated according to rigorous inclusion criteria, and data was compiled for meta-analysis using Microsoft Excel (Ver. 2013), MedCalc (Ver. 19.3), and RevMan software (Ver. 5.3). Finally, 11 qualified studies were selected for the ongoing investigation, encompassing a combined total of 1315 leukemia casesand 1340 controls. Using a dominant genotype model, the meta-analysis found that the TLR2 (rs3804099) and TLR9 (rs187084) polymorphisms were strongly linked to higher risk of leukemia, with ORsof 2.042 (95% CI: 1.35-3.08, p = 0.001) and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.14-1.67, p = 0.001) respectively. Notably, the TLR4 (rs4986790) polymorphism did not exhibited any substantial correlation with the incidence of leukemia. The results indicate that variations in TLR2 and TLR9 genes could be considered a novel genetic biomarker for the leukemia development, highlighting their potential use in risk assessment and targeted therapies. This emphasizes the possibility of using these variations in evaluating risk and developing targeted remedies. However, greater research capacities are required to research into the fundamental mechanisms and authenticate these trends inother populations.

Mono-species bacteria-induced chronic apical periodontitis triggers the aortic inflammatory response via modulation of systemic inflammation and lipid metabolism.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and has been confirmed to be associated with a common oral bacterial infection-chronic apical periodontitis (CAP). However, the detailed mechanisms remain controversial. CAP can potentially alter systemic inflammation, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota, all of which contribute to the progression of the aortic inflammatory response. This study aimed to explore the differential effects between E. faecalis and P. gingivalis-CAP on the aortic inflammatory response, which focused on changes in systemic inflammation, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota, to explore potential mechanisms linking oral disease to CVD. Our result showed P. gingivalis-CAP could activate more serious aortic inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression (TNF-α, MCP-1, and ICAM-1) than E. faecalis-CAP by promoting higher serum inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α, and MCP-1) and lipid (LDL-C and TC) level. Simultaneously, there was no significant change in gut microbiota between them. Furthermore, all serum inflammatory cytokines showed substantial correlations with aortic inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression, and certain serum lipid indicators showed significant correlations, but only two gut microorganisms (Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae) showed significant correlations. The combined results suggest that CAP might activate the aortic inflammatory response in association with changes in the three potential mechanisms. However, the promotion of gut microbiota might be relatively weak. Using experimental CAP induced by specific bacteria, in which bacteria are sequestered in the medullary cavity, avoids the direct influence of blood or intestinal pathways, and provides new perspectives for studying the mechanism of CVD associated with oral disease. Overall, these findings suggest that CAP may exacerbate systemic inflammation and serum lipid levels in patients with CVD, highlighting the importance of educating such patients on oral hygiene.

Relationship Between Waist Circumference, Smoking, and Physical Activity with Hypertension at Lenek Community Health Center

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, are a major problem and cause of premature death in developing countries. Data on hypertension in NTB is 282,970 with the most sufferers in East Lombok Regency. Non-modifiable hypertension risk factors include age, gender, and heredity, as well as modifiable risks include smoking, alcohol use, obesity, nutrition, and physical activity. The purpose of this study at the Lenek Health Center is to evaluate the link between waist circumference, smoking, and physical activity with hypertension. This study employs a cross-sectional approach and is observational quantitative analytical in nature. Purposive sampling is done using the Slovin formula. This study's sample size was 106 samples. The data was examined using the chi-square test. The findings revealed 106 respondents, the majority of whom had hypertension (74 people, 69.8%), while 32 people (30.2%) did not have hypertension. There is a substantial correlation between waist circumference and hypertension (p = 0.001). Smoking is significantly associated with hypertension (p=0.001). There is a strong link between physical activity and hypertension (p=0.001). The conclusion is that waist circumference, smoking, and physical activity all influence the prevalence of hypertension at the Lenek Health Center.

Relationship Between Age, Coffee Consumption and Smoking with The Incidence of Gastro Esophageal Reflex Disease (GERD)

One of the most prevalent illnesses in the world is gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. In addition to sleep patterns, eating habits, such as the amount and timing of meals, as well as the acidity of food, can also lead to GERD. The purpose of this study is to investigate how smoking, coffee intake, and age relate to the prevalence of GERD in the province of NTB, particularly in West Lombok Regency. This study used a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional study design. The Chi Square test was employed for statistical analysis after univariate and bivariate data analysis. The results showed that 52% of respondents were women and 48% of respondents were men. 67% of respondents claimed not to have GERD, while 33% reported having it. There is a substantial correlation between age, coffee consumption, and smoking and the occurrence of GERD at Patut Patuh Patju Hospital in West Lombok. The Patut Patuh Patju Hospital in West Lombok has concluded that smoking, coffee use, and age are associated with GERD.

Identification of a novel disulfidptosis-related gene signature in osteoarthritis using bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative bone disease characterized by the destruction of joint cartilage and synovial inflammation, involving intricate immune regulation processes. Disulfidptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death, has recently been identified; however, the effects and roles of disulfidptosis-related genes (DR-DEGs) in OA remain unclear. We obtained six OA datasets from the GEO database, using four as training sets and two as validation sets. Differential expression analysis was employed to identify DR-DEGs, and unique molecular subtypes of OA were constructed based on these DR-DEGs. Subsequently, the immune microenvironment of OA patients was comprehensively analyzed using the “CIBERSORT” algorithm for immune infiltration. Various machine learning algorithms were utilized to screen characteristic DR-DEGs, and nomogram models and ROC curves were built based on these genes. The scRNA dataset (GSE169454) was used to classify chondrocytes in OA samples into distinct cell types, further exploring the gene distribution and correlation of characteristic DR-DEGs with specific cell subpopulations. Moreover, the expression levels of four characteristic DR-DEGs were validated through OA cell models and rat models. In our study, we identified 10 DR-DEGs with significant differences in expression within OA samples. Based on these DR-DEGs, two distinct molecular subtypes were recognized (cluster 1 and 2). ZNF484 and NDUFS1 were found to be significantly overexpressed in subtype 1, while the infiltration abundance of activated mast cells was markedly elevated in subtype 2. Moreover, significant differences were observed in the infiltration proportions of 11 immune cell types between OA and control samples, with 9 DR-DEGs demonstrating substantial correlations with immune cell infiltration levels. Further analysis of the scRNA dataset revealed that SLC3A2 and NDUFC1 were predominantly expressed in the preHTC subpopulation. All 10 DR-DEGs exhibited notably higher expression in the EC subpopulation across various cell types. The proportion of EC subgroups with high SLC3A2 expression increased, mainly enriching pathways related to inflammation, such as the IL-17 signaling pathway and TGF-beta signaling pathway. Using machine learning, we identified four characteristic DR-DEGs, which, in combination with the nomogram and ROC models, demonstrated promising performance in the diagnosis of OA. Additionally, in vivo validation confirmed a significant elevation of PPM1F expression in OA models. This study identified DR-DEGs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and classification of OA and provided a preliminary understanding of their role in the immune microenvironment. However, further experimental and clinical studies are required to validate their diagnostic value and therapeutic potential.

ESG Practices and Corporate Dividend Decision: A Moderated Mediating Analysis

The study examines the direct and indirect roles of CEO efficiency and firm reputation respectively, in order to investigate the relationship between ESG practices and corporate dividend decisions of the Indian companies. The data is collected from NSE Nifty 500 and S&P BSE 500 index of the Indian listed firms during the period 2013 to 2022. The study also aims in addressing the drawbacks of the previous literature who assumes the direct relationships of the ESG disclosure on corporate dividend decisions which are inconclusive. Using the fixed effect model and structural equation model, the study demonstrates favourable and substantial correlations between ESG practices and dividend decisions that are conveyed through the corporate reputation. Further, through the application of the Instrument Variable Two Stage Least Square (2SLS IV) regression approach, CEO’s efficiency amplifies the insignificant impact of ESG disclosure on the company’s reputation. The results report that company reputation is a matter of stakeholders’ perceptions and reputation is distinct from the actual character and behaviour of the companies with the longitudinal data. The outcome of the study offers insights into how lack of consideration of factors results in inconsistent findings as reported in the previous literature.

Incidence of Communicating Hydrocephalus Following Intraventricular Hemorrhage Among Adult Patients Treated at a Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Intraventricular hemorrhage is a severe condition caused by bleeding within the brain ventricles. It is often due to trauma, tumors, vascular malformation, aneurysm, oxygen deprivation, or idiopathic. A common complication associated with intraventricular hemorrhage is hydrocephalus, which is the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles. Hydrocephalus can be classified as communicating or non-communicating. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of communicating hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and included 52 adult patients treated between 2012-2022 who met the eligibility criteria. We examined the relationships among age, sex, length of hospitalization, presenting symptoms, co-morbidities, Evans index, Graeb score, Glasgow Coma Score, survival, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt complications through univariate and bivariate analyses. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to evaluate data distribution. Differences between groups were analyzed using the chi-square test for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric variables. Results The median age of the participants was 54 years, with a male predominance (57.7%). Motor dysfunction was the most frequently reported symptom at presentation (48.1%). Among the 30 patients who developed hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage, 70% had communicating hydrocephalus. There was a substantial correlation between mortality and hydrocephalus type (P =0.020). Conclusion Intraventricular bleeding is associated with an increased risk of communicating hydrocephalus, with an incidence rate of 3% per person-year.

Assessing the Impact of E-learning through Usage and Preference of E-resources

Aims: Any electronic device that delivers a collection of data, whether it be text referring to full text databases, electronic journals, photographs, other multimedia goods, or quantitative, visualizations, or time-based, is referred to as an electronic resource. These could be transmitted over the internet, tape, CD-ROM, tablets, smartphones, smart watches or another medium, these are now the basis of e-learning. Online searching has made it possible to get patent information more quickly, affordably, and conveniently than the traditional manual or CD-ROM based searching method. The ability to create and distribute documents in electronic form is now made possible by a number of established procedures and standards. So, in order to address the current problems, librarians are utilizing new media, particularly electronic resources, in their collection expansion makes the documentation of users better. As we can see, utilizing online resources is important in the modern world for a multitude of purposes. Because of this, it's important to understand the preferences, motives and usage of various ‘e- resources used by students who use online learning’. The aim of the present research paper was to examine the impact of e-resources using its usage and reading preferences. In this study, reasons such as time saving, more information, and busy schedule at college are considered. Methodology: Primary data was gathered from 250 students from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai who are using e-resources through the pre-structured questionnaire. The responses collected were recorded using the SPSS software for data analysis. In order to examine the link between causes, preferences, and the use of ‘e-resources’, a theoretical construct was developed grounded on a few assumptions. Statistical techniques like the chi-square test were used and data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 to examine the proposed construct. When doing the data analysis, the demographic profile, objectives, and hypothesis were all taken into consideration. Result: The average for each component that is time saving, more informative, and busy schedule at college was computed and was determined as 0.004, 0.004, and 0.000, correspondingly, for time saving, more informative content, and busy college schedule. As all of these values for all of the preferences under consideration are less than 0.05, it is clear that there is a connection between the usage of electronic resources and their underlying reasons and preferences. Conclusion: Hence, there is a substantial correlation between the reasons for using electronic resources and the different reading preferences, as well as between the two. Only three reasons namely time saving, more informative, and busy schedule at college are considered during this study. Data collection is done from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai region only.

Comparison of GastroPanel® and GENEDIA® in Diagnosing Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastric Lesions.

Serological tests for Helicobacter pylori needs local validation as the diagnostic accuracy may vary depending on the prevalence of H. pylori. This study examined the diagnostic performance of two ELISA, GastroPanel® (GastroPanel ELISA; Biohit Oyj) and GENEDIA® (GENEDIA® H. pylori ELISA, Green Cross Co.) in Korean population. One thousand seventy seven patients who visited for esophagogastroduodenoscopy between 2013 and 2023 were prospectively enrolled, and serum samples from the subjects were tested using both GastroPanel® and GENEDIA®. The two tests were compared for their diagnostic accuracy in detecting atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), gastric adenoma (GA), and gastric cancer (GC), and the positivity rates by age and sex were observed. There was substantial correlation (Pearson coefficient [r] = 0.512, P < 0.001) and agreement (Cohen's Kappa coefficient [κ] = 0.723, P < 0.001) between the results obtained using GastroPanel® and GENEDIA®. The test results from the two kits did not match perfectly with a discrepancy observed in approximately 16% of cases, that 67 subjects were positive only on GENEDIA® while 75 subjects were positive only on GastroPanel®. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for AG, IM, GA, and GC using GastroPanel® were 0.666, 0.635, 0.540, and 0.575, while the results tested using GENEDIA® were 0.649, 0.604, 0.553, and 0.555, respectively, without significant difference between the two results. GastroPanel® and GENEDIA® showed similar performance in terms of diagnostic accuracy; but the test results did not match perfectly. A large-scale validation study in Koreans is needed.

U.parvum serovar 6 may be a novel element in the progression of HPV infection to CIN: A cross-sectional study of 7,058 women.

Ureaplasma parvum (U. parvum) is generally regarded as innocuous, and studies focusing on variations in pathogenicity among U. parvum serovars are inadequate. We elucidated the variations in the pathogenicity of U. parvum serovars in promoting human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). This cross-sectional study used baseline data from a Chinese multicenter prospective cohort of women of childbearing age undergoing routine cervical cancer screening. We employed multivariate logistic regression analysis to estimate the pathogenic effects of specific U. parvum serovars on HPV infection and CIN. Causal mediation analysis was performed to ascertain the direct effects of specific U. parvum serovars on CIN and their indirect implications via HPV infection. The final data analysis encompassed 7,058 participants. Upon adjusting for confounding factors, a positive association was observed between U. parvum serovars 1, 3, and 6 and HPV infection (OR 1.53, 95%CI 1.15-2.03; OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.06-1.64; OR 2.34, 95%CI 1.90-2.87); however, only participants with U. parvum serovar 6 showed an increased risk of CIN (OR 1.90, 95%CI 1.19-3.02). No substantial correlation was observed between U. parvum serovar 14 and HPV or CIN incidence. HPV infection potentially mediates the influence of U. parvum serovar 6 on CIN, with a mediation proportion of 76.66%. Our findings suggest that different U. parvum serovars vary in pathogenicity regarding HPV and CIN. Early detection of specific U. parvum serovars, such as U. parvum serovar 6, in HPV-infected individuals may enable early intervention therapies, and reduce the risk of CIN development.

Transformational influence of the impact player rule on performance quality and entertainment value in the 2023 season: a comprehensive analysis of cricket

Background and purpose This study aims to assess the influence of player intervention, specifically the impact player rule, on the overall performance quality of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in two consecutive seasons, 2022 and 2023. Material and methods The research employs a factorial approach to analyze and compare the complete IPL performance in both seasons. Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism statistical software are utilized for data analysis, including Pearson's Correlation coefficient computation. Results The results of the analysis reveal a substantial correlation between the impact player's performance and the total IPL performance in the 2023 season. The computed Pearson r value of 0.9997 signifies a robust positive correlation, indicating that an improvement in the impact player's performance is likely to correspond to an enhancement in the total IPL performance during the IPL 2023 season. Conclusion The conclusion drawn from this study is that the implementation of the impact player rule in the IPL 2023 season has led to a significant transformation in various aspects of the tournament. Notably, there has been an observable improvement in performance quality, competitiveness, and entertainment value in the IPL 2023 season compared to the previous season. The findings presented in this study contribute valuable insights to the cricketing community, tournament organizers, team management, and policymakers. Understanding the positive impact of the impact player rule on the IPL can aid in making informed decisions to further enhance the league's competitiveness and entertainment value. The results also underscore the importance of strategic player interventions and rules in shaping the success and excitement of cricket tournaments like the IPL. Future research can explore additional seasons and assess the long-term effects of such interventions on cricket performance and fan engagement. Overall, this comprehensive analysis provides a foundation for future discussions and decisions concerning the improvement and development of cricket leagues worldwide.

The mediating effect of sleep quality on the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms among Chinese nurses during the omicron outbreak

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased depressive symptoms and diminished sleep quality among nurses. This study explores the relationships among social support, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms among Chinese nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak, with a focus on the mediating role of sleep quality.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 2140 nurses was conducted from August to September 2022. The participants completed the Social Support Rating Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data were analyzed via serial multiple mediation analysis with the PROCESS macro in SPSS.ResultsDepressive symptoms affected an estimated 40.4% of the participants, with 69.2% reporting poor sleep quality. The present study revealed a significant negative correlation between social support and sleep quality and depressive symptoms (r = -0.229, p < 0.001; r = -0.322, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, a substantial positive correlation was observed between sleep quality and depressive symptoms (r = 0.514, p < 0.001). Additionally, social support had a significant indirect effect on depressive symptoms through sleep quality (standardized effect = -0.0535, 95% CI = [-0.0648, -0.0424]). Sleep quality was found to mediate the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in all subgroups, with variations based on years of experience, education levels, and hospital type.ConclusionDepressive symptoms were inversely associated with social support, which was moderated by sleep quality. Interventions targeting social support provision and sleep quality promotion are suggested for managing depressive symptoms among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Relationship between Personality Trait and Dental Anxiety in Students of Health-Related Specialties: A Pilot Study.

Dental anxiety is a common issue affecting a significant portion of the population, often leading to avoidance of dental care and subsequent oral health problems. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to dental anxiety is a crucial step toward developing an effective intervention. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of dental anxiety among students of health-related majors, evaluate their personality traits, and find the correlation between them. Additionally, this study aims to find the predictors of such traits and their relationship with each other. The study was conducted on 163 consented students (124 males and 39 females), selected based on major and year of study at the University of Sharjah medical campus. The questionnaire was sent online through Google Forms. It included questions from the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS)and the Big Five personality test. Data analysis was done using SPSS software (IBM Co. version 29) where all descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Moderate level of dental anxiety (12.3 ± 5.8) was observed among students of the medical campus, where nondental students scored higher in mean dental anxiety (13.0 ± 6.2) compared with dental students (10.4 ± 4.5). Males scored higher on the dental anxiety scale (12.5 ± 5.8) compared with females (11.7 ± 5.6). The Big Five personality test results displayed statistical significance association between neuroticism and dental anxiety, compared with other measured parameters (p < 0.05). Neuroticism (Big Five characteristics scoring) and dental anxiety (MDAS scoring) exhibit a significant correlation. The Big Five test's characteristics are interrelated, including neuroticism and conscientiousness which, in turn, had a substantial correlation with agreeableness. Subsequently, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion exhibit substantial correlations with openness. This dynamic between the traits indicates that the adoption of personality tests in dental clinics would lead to improved prediction and management of dental anxiety in health-related students. Since dentistry relies on patient management to get the best results, understanding the relationship between personality factors and dental anxiety might enhance patient management. This would prevent health care neglect and undiagnosed oral problems.

Lack of evidence for kynurenine pathway dysfunction in Huntington's disease: Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma analyses from the HDClarity study

Background Evidence from animal studies and post-mortem studies of brains from people with Huntington's disease (PwHD) has suggested that the kynurenine pathway (KP) may be dysregulated in Huntington's disease (HD). Objective To determine whether there are differences in KP metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of PwHD vs. healthy controls enrolled in the HDClarity study. Methods CSF and plasma samples from 141 PwHD with mild and moderate manifest disease and 75 healthy controls were analyzed for 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OH-KYN), quinolinic acid, kynurenine, anthranilic acid, kynurenic acid, and tryptophan concentrations using validated high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry methods. The primary and secondary endpoints compared metabolite concentrations between groups, and an exploratory analysis (PwHD only) evaluated the association between the metabolite levels and severity of disease. Results No significant differences in CSF or plasma concentrations of any of the six KP metabolites were observed between PwHD and controls, and there were no strong associations between the concentration of any KP metabolite and disease severity. A principal component analysis of the combined CSF and plasma measures showed a substantial positive correlation among all metabolites except for tryptophan in plasma. Conclusions We found no evidence to support the hypothesis of dysregulation of KP metabolites in HD based on CSF and plasma metabolite levels. The monitoring of KP metabolites in CSF or plasma is unlikely to serve as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for disease progression or therapeutic intervention in HD.

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Mortality in Bangladesh: A Time Series Analysis

Understanding the factors influencing the death rate in Bangladesh is essential for effective policy-making and addressing demographic challenges. This study aims to examine both the short-term dynamics and long-term equilibrium relationships between socio-demographic factors and the death rate of Bangladesh over a given period. It focuses on four key factors: adolescence fertility rate (AFR), life expectancy rate at birth, birth rate, and infant mortality rate (IMR). Taking an annual time series dataset from 1975 to 2021 from the World Bank (WB), the study uses the Johansen co-integration test, vector error correction model (VECM), and Granger causality test to analyze the relationships between these factors and death rate. The findings reveal short-term and long-term equilibrium links between the socio-demographic parameters and death rate. A substantial negative correlation exists between death rate and AFR and life expectancy. Additionally, a positive correlation is observed between the death rate and birth rate, and IMR. These findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers to address the death rate in Bangladesh, bridging a research gap and guiding effective socio-demographic policies. International Journal of Statistical Sciences, Vol. 24(2), November, 2024, pp 35-54

High-throughput near-infrared spectroscopy for detection of major components and quality grading of peas

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a nutrient-dense legume whose nutritional indicators influence its functional qualities. Traditional methods to identify these components and examine the relationships between their contents could be more laborious, hindering the quality assessment of the varieties of peas. This study conducted a statistical analysis of data about the sensory and physicochemical nutritional attributes of peas acquired using traditional techniques. Additionally, 90 sets of spectral data were obtained using a portable near-infrared spectrometer, which were then integrated with chemical values to create a near-infrared model for the basic ingredient content of peas. The correlation analysis revealed significant findings: pea starch displayed a substantial negative correlation with moisture, crude fiber, and crude protein, while showing a highly significant positive correlation with pea seed thickness. Furthermore, pea protein exhibited a significant positive correlation with crude fiber and crude fat. Cluster analysis classified all pea varieties into three distinct groups, successfully distinguishing those with elevated protein content, high starch content, and low-fat content. The combined contribution of PC1 and PC2 in the principal component analysis (PCA) was 51.2%. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) and other spectral preprocessing methods improved the predictive model, which performed well with an external dataset, with calibration coefficients of 0.89–0.99 and prediction coefficients of 0.71–0.88. This method enables growers and processors to efficiently analyze the composition of peas and evaluate crop quality, thereby enhancing food industry development.

An Empirical Analysis of Non-Interest Income's Effect on Commercial Bank Performance

The share of non-interest income in commercial banks' operating revenue has steadily risen, dramatically affecting their overall operational performance. Using panel data for sixteen Chinese listed commercial banks from 2007 to 2013, variable intercept and variable coefficient models were constructed, accounting for variables including macroeconomic growth rate. The impact of non-interest revenue on the performance of commercial banks was empirically investigated, together with the quantity of bank assets and the cost-to-income ratio. The study results indicate a sizeable negative association with operational costs and a substantial positive correlation with total bank assets, macroeconomic growth, and commercial bank performance. However, the effect of non-interest income on performance differs depending on the kind of commercial bank. Central state-owned commercial banks' non-interest revenue and performance are favorably correlated; nevertheless, urban commercial banks' non-interest revenue and performance are negatively correlated. Therefore, it is recommended that Chinese commercial banks formulate differentiated development strategies based on their characteristics to enhance overall profitability.