Test Scores Research Articles

Timed up and go demonstrates strong interrater agreement and criterion validity as a functional test in geriatric dogs.

To measure interobserver agreement for 4 functional tasks and their summed geriatric functional score (GFS) and correlate tasks and GFS with client-specific outcome measurements (CSOMs): Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) pain severity, CBPI pain interference, and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs. 89 geriatric dogs were recruited between April and September 2023 from staff, friends, and clients of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine with a median age of 11.0 years and weight of 26.4 kg. Dogs underwent 4 sequential functional tests: timed up and go (TUG), cavallettis, figure 8s, and down to stands. Two observers independently scored each dog. The GFS was calculated based on the summed scores of the individual tests. Additional information collected included signalment, weight, measurements reflecting the comorbidities of aging (body condition score and muscle condition score), and CSOMs. Strong interrater agreement was found for all functional tests. The TUG in seconds (sTUG) and figure 8s demonstrated significant (P < .05) moderate to strong correlations to all CSOMs. The GFS showed similar significant correlations with all CSOMs except CBPI pain severity; however, when correlating individual tests to CSOMs, only figure 8s and TUG were significantly contributing to GFS results. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defined highly functional dogs as those completing the sTUG in under 3.83 seconds. The sTUG represented the best test for geriatric function given it was objective, reliable, correlated well to CSOMs, and could help identify highly functioning dogs. The sTUG appears to be the first practical and reliable functional test of canine geriatric mobility.

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional and psychological parameters in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) patients

BackgroundCOVID-19 survivors may develop long-term symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea, mental health issues, and functional limitations: a condition termed post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a recommended treatment for PASC; however, there is a lack of data regarding PR’s effect on multiple health indices and the factors that influence patient outcomes. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional and psychological parameters in patients diagnosed with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), thereby offering insights into the efficacy of such interventions in improving the quality of life and clinical outcomes for these individuals.MethodsWe extracted patient demographic, comorbidity, and outcome data from Allegheny Health Network’s electronic medical records. Functionality test results were compared before and after PR, including 6-minute walk test (6MWT), chair rise repetitions (CR reps), timed up and go test (TUG), gait speed (Rehab gait), modified medical research council scale (MMRC), shortness of breath questionnaire (SOBQ), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) scores. Multiple regression analysis was done to evaluate the effect of comorbidities and patient factors on patient responses to PR.ResultsThe 55 patients included in this study had a mean time of 4 months between the initial COVID-19 diagnosis and the subsequent PASC diagnosis. Following pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), significant improvements were observed across various metrics. The distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) increased markedly from a pre-rehabilitation average of 895 feet (SD 290) to 1,300 feet (SD 335) post-rehabilitation, with a mean change of 405 feet (95% CI [333, 477]). Chair rise repetitions (CR reps) saw an increase from 9 (SD 3) reps to 13 (SD 3) reps, with a change of 4 reps (95% CI [3.7, 4.9]). The timed up and go test (TUG) time decreased significantly from 13 s (SD 5) to 10 s (SD 2), reflecting a mean reduction of 3 s (95% CI [-4.5, -2.5]). Rehabilitation gait speed improved from 1.0 m/s to 1.3 m/s, changing by 0.3 m/s (95% CI [0.2, 0.3]). The Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale showed a notable decrease from a mean of 2 (SD 1) to 1 (SD 1), a change of -1 (95% CI [-1.5, -1]). The Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ) scores reduced significantly from 51 (SD 21) to 22 (SD 18), with a change of -29 (95% CI [-34, -23]). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores decreased from 11 (SD 7) to 8 (SD 7), a reduction of -4 (95% CI [-5, -2]). Lastly, the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) scores significantly dropped from 18 (SD 7) to 9 (SD 7), changing by -10 (95% CI [-11, -8]). However, the presence of hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, outpatient status, and receipt of specific pharmacologic treatments (decadron, decadron + remdesivir, and decadron + remdesivir + tocilizumab) were identified as factors associated with a poor response to PR.ConclusionOur study supports PR as an integrated model of care for PASC patients to improve several physical and mental health indices. The long-term effects of PR on patients’ functional status should be investigated in the future.

Single-value brain activity scores reflect both severity and risk across the Alzheimer's continuum.

Single-value scores reflecting the deviation from (FADE score) or similarity with (SAME score) prototypical novelty-related and memory-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation patterns in young adults have been proposed as imaging biomarkers of healthy neurocognitive aging. Here, we tested the utility of these scores as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and risk states like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective cognitive decline (SCD). To this end, we analyzed subsequent memory fMRI data from individuals with SCD, MCI, and AD dementia as well as healthy controls (HC) and first-degree relatives of AD dementia patients (AD-rel) who participated in the multi-center DELCODE study (N = 468). Based on the individual participants' whole-brain fMRI novelty and subsequent memory responses, we calculated the FADE and SAME scores and assessed their association with AD risk stage, neuropsychological test scores, CSF amyloid positivity, and ApoE genotype. Memory-based FADE and SAME scores showed a considerably larger deviation from a reference sample of young adults in the MCI and AD dementia groups compared to HC, SCD and AD-rel. In addition, novelty-based scores significantly differed between the MCI and AD dementia groups. Across the entire sample, single-value scores correlated with neuropsychological test performance. The novelty-based SAME score further differed between Aβ-positive and Aβ-negative individuals in SCD and AD-rel, and between ApoE ε4 carriers and non-carriers in AD-rel. Hence, FADE and SAME scores are associated with both cognitive performance and individual risk factors for AD. Their potential utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers warrants further exploration, particularly in individuals with SCD and healthy relatives of AD dementia patients.

The importance of regular physical activity in the mental health of the older adults

The present study had the general objective of evaluating the relationship between physical activity and mental health in the older adults. For this, a cross-sectional survey was carried out with 35 older adults aged between 60 and 76 years old (65.31 ± 4.50). To assess the level of physical activity, the six-minute walk test (6MWT) was used, while mental health was measured using the geriatric depression scale (GDS). A comparison was made between the physically active and inactive groups (classified by the 6MWT) using Student’s t test for GDS scores. In addition, the Ancova test was performed to compare groups for the mental health outcome (GDS). The results show us that the mean age of the individuals was 65.31 with a standard deviation of 4.50. Among the older adults, 12 were classified as physically active and 23 as inactive. However, the main finding of this study lies in the difference between the groups for the mental health outcome, since the physically active group had a mean GDS lower (Mean = 3.33) than the physically inactive group (Mean = 7.30), with statistical significance (p = 0.05). This is in line with the literature on the benefits of physical activity in preventing and reducing mental disorders. The study makes room for further studies, especially clinical and longitudinal trials, in order to better understand these real impacts of physical activity.

AlphaFold2 modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of an intrinsically disordered protein.

We use AlphaFold2 (AF2) to model the monomer and dimer structures of an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), Nvjp-1, assisted by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We observe relatively rigid dimeric structures of Nvjp-1 when compared with the monomer structures. We suggest that protein conformations from multiple AF2 models and those from MD trajectories exhibit a coherent trend: the conformations of an IDP are deviated from each other and the conformations of a well-folded protein are consistent with each other. We use a residue-residue interaction network (RIN) derived from the contact map which show that the residue-residue interactions in Nvjp-1 are mainly transient; however, those in a well-folded protein are mainly persistent. Despite the variation in 3D shapes, we show that the AF2 models of both disordered and ordered proteins exhibit highly consistent profiles of the pLDDT (predicted local distance difference test) scores. These results indicate a potential protocol to justify the IDPs based on multiple AF2 models and MD simulations.

A quantitative feedback intervention to reduce binge drinking in young adults.

Existing binge drinking reduction interventions such as brief intervention and personalized normative feedback have shown modest impact. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility (recruitment and retention rates), acceptability, and preliminary efficacy testing of a short-term "know your numbers (KYN)" intervention on motivating young adults to reduce their engagement in binge drinking. Young adults (N=94, mean age 21 years) with a history of binge drinking received a 4-week KYN intervention that included information about their U.S. Alcohol Use Disorders Test (USAUDIT) scores and the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) level in relationship to different risk levels of alcohol use. At baseline and 4-weeks, measures included USAUDIT scores, PEth levels, motivation (Alcohol Contemplation Ladder) and other drinking measures. Focus groups were conducted at 4-weeks for feedback on the KYN approach. The recruitment rate was 82.26% (retention rate 76.9%). At 4-weeks there was a 62% increase in contemplation scores (indicating higher motivation), a decrease in USADUIT scores with an increase in the percent of participants classified as low-risk drinkers. No differences were found between baseline and 4-week PEth levels or number of binge episodes. Focus group results revealed satisfaction with the KYN approach but the need to understand how PEth levels and USAUDIT scores corresponded to health consequences and alcohol use levels. Results from this pilot study support the acceptability and potential use of a KYN approach in helping young adults understand their drinking levels.

Cognitive brain activity before and after surgery in meningioma patients.

Neuropsychological studies have demonstrated that meningioma patients frequently exhibit cognitive deficits before surgery and show only limited improvement after surgery. Combining neuropsychological with functional imaging measurements can shed more light on the impact of surgery on cognitive brain function. We aimed to evaluate whether surgery affects cognitive brain activity in such a manner that it may mask possible changes in cognitive functioning measured by neuropsychological tests. Twenty-three meningioma patients participated in a fMRI measurement using a verbal working memory task as well as three neuropsychological tests focused on working memory, just before and 3 months after surgery. A region of interest based fMRI analysis was used to examine cognitive brain activity at these timepoints within the central executive network and default mode network. Neuropsychological assessment showed impaired cognitive functioning before as well as 3 months after surgery. Neuropsychological test scores, in-scanner task performance as well as brain activity within the central executive and default mode network were not significantly different between both timepoints. Our results indicate that surgery does not significantly affect cognitive brain activity in meningioma patients the first few months after surgery. Therefore, the lack of cognitive improvement after surgery is not likely the result of compensatory processes in the brain. Cognitive deficits that are already present before surgery appear to be persistent after surgery and a considerable recovery period. Our study shows potential leads that comprehensive cognitive evaluation can be of added value so that cognitive functioning may become a more prominent factor in clinical decision making.

Enhancing Pragmatic Language skills for Young children with Social communication difficulties (E-PLAYS-2) trial: study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial evaluating a computerised intervention to promote communicative development and collaborative skills in young children

BackgroundA number of children experience difficulties with social communication and this has long-term deleterious effects on their mental health, social development and education. The E-PLAYS-2 study will test an intervention (‘E-PLAYS’) aimed at supporting such children. E-PLAYS uses a dyadic computer game to develop collaborative and communication skills. Preliminary studies by the authors show that E-PLAYS can produce improvements in children with social communication difficulties on communication test scores and observed collaborative behaviours. The study described here is a definitive trial to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of E-PLAYS delivered by teaching assistants in schools.MethodsThe aim of the E-PLAYS-2 trial is to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of care as usual plus the E-PLAYS programme, delivered in primary schools, compared to care as usual. Cluster-randomisation will take place at school level to avoid contamination. The E-PLAYS intervention will be delivered by schools’ teaching assistants. Teachers will select suitable children (ages 5–7 years old) from their schools using guidelines provided by the research team. Assessments will include blinded language measures and observations (conducted by the research team), non-blinded teacher-reported measures of peer relations and classroom behaviour and parent-reported use of resources and quality of life. A process evaluation will also include interviews with parents, children and teaching assistants, observations of intervention delivery and a survey of care as usual.The primary analysis will compare pragmatic language scores for children who received the E-PLAYS intervention versus those who did not at 40 weeks post-randomisation. Secondary analyses will assess cost-effectiveness and a mixed methods process evaluation will provide richer data on the delivery of E-PLAYS.DiscussionThe aim of this study is to undertake a final, definitive test of the effectiveness of E-PLAYS when delivered by teaching assistants within schools. The use of technology in game form is a novel approach in an area where there are currently few available interventions. Should E-PLAYS prove to be effective at the end of this trial, we believe it is likely to be welcomed by schools, parents and children.Trial registrationISRCTN 17561417, registration date 19th December 2022.Protocol version: v1.1 19th June 2023.

Magnesium citrate monotherapy improves RLS symptoms and multiple suggested immobilization test scores in an open-label pilot study.

An estimated 3% of the population suffers from clinically significant restless legs syndrome. Given the limited pharmacological options in the arsenal, there is a need for a therapeutic agent with a better side effect profile. Twelve treatment naïve adults (10 women and 2 men with a median age of 41.5 [32-48.5] years) with primary RLS were recruited in our open-label pilot study; magnesium citrate 200 mg was administered daily for eight weeks. Serum magnesium levels, IRLS, Kohnen QOL scale, and multiple suggested immobilization tests were performed before and after supplementation. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for data analysis. Pearson and Spearman's analyses assessed the association between magnesium levels and RLS variables. Participants had a significant reduction in IRLS scores (- 6.67 [2.33-11] p=0.006) and improved Kohnen QOL scores (-8.5 [2.09-14], p=0.014) without notable differences in serum magnesium levels (p=0.3). Average PLMW across all SIT trials (30.40 [5.20, 122.40] to 8.63 [0.32, 17.47] p=0.043) and subjective measures on mSIT also demonstrated improvement. Serum magnesium levels negatively correlated with m-SIT self-reported scores and the PLMW indices. Despite the limitations of open-label design, our study's positive results indicate the need for a placebo-controlled trial with a larger sample size. clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04462796).

Predicting patients with dementia most at risk of needing psychiatric in-patient or enhanced community care using routinely collected clinical data: retrospective multi-site cohort study.

Dementia is a common and progressive condition whose prevalence is growing worldwide. It is challenging for healthcare systems to provide continuity in clinical services for all patients from diagnosis to death. To test whether individuals who are most likely to need enhanced care later in the disease course can be identified at the point of diagnosis, thus allowing the targeted intervention. We used clinical information collected routinely in de-identified electronic patient records from two UK National Health Service (NHS) trusts to identify at diagnosis which individuals were at increased risk of needing enhanced care (psychiatric in-patient or intensive (crisis) community care). We examined the records of a total of 25 326 patients with dementia. A minority (16% in the Cambridgeshire trust and 2.4% in the London trust) needed enhanced care. Patients who needed enhanced care differed from those who did not in age, cognitive test scores and Health of the Nation Outcome Scale scores. Logistic regression discriminated risk, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of up to 0.78 after 1 year and 0.74 after 4 years. We were able to confirm the validity of the approach in two trusts that differed widely in the populations they serve. It is possible to identify, at the time of diagnosis of dementia, individuals most likely to need enhanced care later in the disease course. This permits the development of targeted clinical interventions for this high-risk group.

A Nonparametric Composite Group DIF Index for Focal Groups Stemming from Multicategorical Variables

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to develop a nonparametric DIF method that (a) compares focal groups directly to the composite group that will be used to develop the reported test score scale, and (b) allows practitioners to explore for DIF related to focal groups stemming from multicategorical variables that constitute a small proportion of the overall testing population. We propose the nonparametric root expected proportion squared difference (REPSD) index that evaluates the statistical significance of composite group DIF for relatively small focal groups stemming from multicategorical focal variables, with decisions of statistical significance based on quasi‐exact p values obtained from Monte Carlo permutations of the DIF statistic under the null distribution. We conduct a simulation to evaluate conditions under which the index produces acceptable Type I error and power rates, as well as an application to a school district assessment. Practitioners can calculate the REPSD index in a freely available package we created in the R environment.

Are Large-Scale Test Scores Comparable for At-Home Versus Test Center Testing?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a proliferation of remote-proctored (or “at-home”) assessments. The lack of standardized setting, device, or in-person proctor during at-home testing makes it markedly distinct from testing at a test center. Comparability studies of at-home and test center scores are important in understanding whether these distinctions impact test scores. This study found no significant differences in at-home versus test center test scores on a large-scale admissions test using either a randomized controlled trial or an observational study after adjusting for differences in sample composition along baseline characteristics.

An evaluation of written materials for supporting hypertensive patient education and counselling when performing a new medicine service in Poland

Background. The New Medicine Service (NMS) was developed in England more than ten years ago, as a three-stage consultation led by community pharmacists to support patients taking new medication for a chronic disease. In Poland, the scheme was officially introduced in January 2023. However, its implementation into common practice has been presented with various obstacles, including the need to develop relationships with general practitioners, resolve the payment structure, and provide training with adequate supporting materials. Hence, written materials have been designed for use as an optional tool for counselling patients receiving an NMS in community pharmacies. Methods. The present study evaluates the ability of these materials to inform patients about the need to adhere to anti-hypertensive medication. A group of 401 randomly-selected adult visitors to pharmacies and/or healthcare centres were surveyed; one third had hypertension in their history. Results. The structure, grammar and readability of the text achieved the required threshold of 40% according to the Plain Language Index. The designed materials effectively informed the patients about anti-hypertensive medication, reflected in an increased score in a knowledge test, and were rated positively regarding information level, comprehensibility and presentation. Conclusion. The proposed material may serve as an additional, “patient-friendly” educational tool for use as part of an NMS.

Abnormal EEG microstates in Alzheimer's disease: predictors of β-amyloid deposition degree and disease classification.

Electroencephalography (EEG) microstates are used to study cognitive processes and brain disease-related changes. However, dysfunctional patterns of microstate dynamics in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain uncertain. To investigate microstate changes in AD using EEG and assess their association with cognitive function and pathological changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We enrolled 56 patients with AD and 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent various neuropsychological assessments and resting-state EEG recordings. Patients with AD also underwent CSF examinations to assess biomarkers related to the disease. Stepwise regression was used to analyze the relationship between changes in microstate patterns and CSF biomarkers. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to assess the potential of these microstate patterns as diagnostic predictors for AD. Compared with HC, patients with AD exhibited longer durations of microstates C and D, along with a decreased occurrence of microstate B. These microstate pattern changes were associated with Stroop Color Word Test and Activities of Daily Living scale scores (all P < 0.05). Mean duration, occurrences of microstate B, and mean occurrence were correlated with CSF Aβ 1-42 levels, while duration of microstate C was correlated with CSF Aβ 1-40 levels in AD (all P < 0.05). EEG microstates are used to predict AD classification with moderate accuracy. Changes in EEG microstate patterns in patients with AD correlate with cognition and disease severity, relate to Aβ deposition, and may be useful predictors for disease classification.

Long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic acromioclavicular stabilization for acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

Standard open acromioclavicular (AC) stabilization is associated with increased postoperative complications including deltoid injury, infection, tunnel complications, loss of reduction, and wound/cosmetic concerns. Arthroscopy may offer superior visualization and advantages that limit these risks. The aim of this prospective non-randomized study is to evaluate advantages and long-term reliability of arthroscopic AC stabilization. Thirty-two patients with acute grade III, IV and V AC dislocations underwent arthroscopic AC reconstruction with long-term assessment by clinical AC examination, Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, visual analog scale, Specific AC Score and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores. Radiographs verified conservation of initial reduction and presence of coracoclavicular (CC) ossifications. Complications, revision rate and satisfaction were assessed and compared to the literature. Mean follow-up time was 67.6 months. All clinical outcome scores improved and differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Initial postoperative radiographs consistently showed complete reduction. Two patients experienced relapse to grade II AC dislocation without clinical implications. In total, 71.8% showed CC ossifications without functional impairment, and in 31.3% concomitant injuries were observed. Reintervention rate was 9.4% and 96.7% of patients were satisfied with procedure outcomes. Arthroscopic stabilization for acute AC joint dislocations offers satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes, and our results show that the arthroscopic technique is reliable in the long run. We report better reduction in maintenance, fewer complications and similar reoperation rates compared to other techniques.

Pembuatan Website REST API Ensiklopedia Tumbuhan dengan Kombinasi Framework Spring Boot dan MyBatis Generator

This research focuses on the development of the Plant Encyclopedia REST API, a website application designed using Java, HTML, Spring Boot, MyBatis Generator, and Swagger technologies, with PostgreSQL as the database used to store plant data from the API. This study highlights the declining abilities of the younger generation, especially in mathematics, literacy, and science. Statistical data from PISA test scores from 2003 to 2022 on 15-year-olds worldwide show a peak decline in 2022. The applied research methods include needs analysis, problem identification, system design, application design, implementation, and system testing. This research aims to overcome the lack of knowledge about plants that can have a negative impact on the ecosystem and provide various other benefits. The result of this research is a plant encyclopedia website application that can be accessed by various users to find information related to plants and a swagger website for administrators to manage plant data.

Effects of osteoarthritis grades on pain, function and quality of life.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a pathology that frequently affects the geriatric population. To investigate the extent to which pain, functionality, and quality of life change over the progression of OA grades. The study included 161patients with bilateral OA, whose disease stages ranged from 1 to 4according to the Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic classification system. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functionality using the two-minute walk test and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, and quality of life using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). There were significant differences between the groups in terms of age, weight, and body mass index. The VAS, two-minute walk test, and WOMAC scores also significantly differed between the groups (p< 0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups in all domains of the NHP, except for energy (p< 0.05). The two-minute walk test score was negatively correlated with all the remaining evaluation parameters (p< 0.05). No correlation was found between the energy domain of the NHP and body mass index, the VAS score, the two-minute walk test distance, or the total WOMAC score (p> 0.05). After grade1, the functional impacts of OA on patients increased by an average of four times. Pain was one of the most basic symptoms, the severity of which started to increase in grade2. With the added effect of diminishing walking capacity over time, the reduction in the quality of life of the patients accelerated as the OA grade progressed.

Cerebral Amyloidosis in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline: From Genetic Predisposition to Actual Cerebrospinal Fluid Measurements

The possible relationship between Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and dementia needs further investigation. In the present study, we explored the association between specific biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) and Tau with the odds of SCD using data from two ongoing studies. In total, 849 cognitively normal (CN) individuals were included in our analyses. Among the participants, 107 had available results regarding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ42 and Tau, while 742 had available genetic data to construct polygenic risk scores (PRSs) reflecting their genetic predisposition for CSF Aβ42 and plasma total Tau levels. The associations between AD biomarkers and SCD were tested using logistic regression models adjusted for possible confounders such as age, sex, education, depression, and baseline cognitive test scores. Abnormal values of CSF Aβ42 were related to 2.5-fold higher odds of SCD, while higher polygenic loading for Aβ42 was associated with 1.6-fold higher odds of SCD. CSF Tau, as well as polygenic loading for total Tau, were not associated with SCD. Thus, only cerebral amyloidosis appears to be related to SCD status, either in the form of polygenic risk or actual CSF measurements. The temporal sequence of amyloidosis being followed by tauopathy may partially explain our findings.

Fitness Levels of Elementary School Students Based on Gender and Race in Indonesia: Are There Differences?

This research aimed to determine differences in physical fitness levels based on Race and Gender in Indonesia. It used a comparative quantitative approach. The samples in this research were elementary school students in three provinces: Sumsel, DIY, and NTT. They were selected using cluster random sampling and yielded 254 people. Then, the samples were clustered to equalize numbers based on students’ gender and regional race (South Sumatra, DIY, &amp; NTT). After this process, the remaining 132 people were taken. Students’ physical fitness data were collected using the Indonesian Physical Fitness Test (TKJI). The data were then analyzed using the parametric Two-Way ANOVA statistics. The results of the Two-Way ANOVA test showed that the race factor variable had a value of Sig. 0.00 &lt; 0.05. This value indicates a significant difference in the TKJI test scores between races in the three provinces: South Sumatra, DIY, and NTT. In the gender factor variable, the Sig. 0.001 &lt; 0.05, meaning a significant difference was also found in the TKJI test scores between male and female students. Furthermore, for the combined race and gender factor variables, the Sig 0.485 &gt; 0.05. Since the Sig value was greater, there is no influence or interaction between the race and gender factors in the three provinces in determining the results of the students' TKJI scores. Differences in physical fitness in terms of race can be caused by differences in physical activity, socioeconomic status, and social factors, such as racial discrimination and interpersonal racial discrimination. These differences can manifest as emotional stress due to increased psychological stress and increased risk of unhealthy behavior, including activities. In addition, the difference in physical fitness was also found between genders. The results show that men have a better level of physical fitness than women. One of the reasons is possibly due to increased fat mass associated with growth and puberty in girls. In addition, boys are often more active than girls. Keywords: Physical fitness, Student, Race, Gender

Memory in female adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

In females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), the influence of hyperandrogenism and glucocorticoid supplementation on neurocognition is controversial. To identify possible differences in visual working memory and verbal memory in adolescent girls with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and matched controls. Moreover, to study if any relationship between variables associated with CAH and the scores of the selected memory tests was present. In total 39 individuals were studied, female adolescents with CAH and age and pubertal stage matched healthy male and female controls (13 in each group). Sociodemographic, clinical, hormonal, and neurocognitive variables were explored. In female adolescents with CAH, variables related to the disease (age at diagnosis, clinical form, time since diagnosis, and glucocorticoid doses) were correlated with the scores obtained for neurocognitive variables. The mean age was 13.9 ± 3.3 years. In female adolescents with CAH the results were worse compared to controls in Free Recall (p = 0.039) and in Visual Memory Span score (p = 0.016). Age at diagnosis was negatively correlated to number of hits (p = 0.04), number recalled backward (p = 0.03), Visual Memory Span test score (p = 0.04) and Total Free Recall (p = 0.04), i.e., memory was worse with later diagnosis. Female adolescents with CAH had worse visual working memory compared to matched controls, but not in verbal memory. Age at diagnosis was negatively associated with the memory tests.