Total Rating Research Articles

Genome-wide Analysis of Motor Progression in Parkinson Disease.

The genetic basis of Parkinson disease (PD) motor progression is largely unknown. Previous studies of the genetics of PD progression have included small cohorts and shown a limited overlap with genetic PD risk factors from case-control studies. Here, we have studied genomic variation associated with PD motor severity and early-stage progression in large longitudinal cohorts to help to define the biology of PD progression and potential new drug targets. We performed a GWAS meta-analysis of early PD motor severity and progression up to 3 years from study entry. We used linear mixed-effect models with additive effects, corrected for age at diagnosis, sex, and the first 5 genetic principal components to assess variability in axial, limb, and total Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) III scores. We included 3,572 unrelated European ancestry patients with PD from 5 observational cohorts and 1 drug trial. The average AAO was 62.6 years (SD = 9.83), and 63% of participants were male. We found an average increase in the total MDS-UPDRS III score of 2.3 points/year. We identified an association between PD axial motor progression and variation at the GJA5 locus at 1q12 (β = -0.25, SE = 0.04, p = 3.4e-10). Exploration of the regulation of gene expression in the region (cis-expression quantitative trait loci [eQTL] analysis) showed that the lead variant was associated with expression of ACP6, a lysophosphatidic acid phosphatase that regulates mitochondrial lipid biosynthesis (cis-eQTL p-values in blood and brain RNA expression data sets: <10-14 in eQTLGen and 10-7 in PsychEncode). Our study highlights the potential role of mitochondrial lipid homeostasis in the progression of PD, which may be important in establishing new drug targets that might modify disease progression.

Resultant equations for training load monitoring during a standard microcycle in sub-elite youth football: a principal components approach.

Applying data-reduction techniques to extract meaningful information from electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS) has become a hot topic in football training load (TL) monitoring. The aim of this study was to reduce the dimensionality of the internal and external load measures, by a principal component approach, to describe and explain the resultant equations for TL monitoring during a standard in-season microcycle in sub-elite youth football. Additionally, it is intended to identify the most representative measure for each principal component. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted with a Monte Carlo parallel analysis and VariMax rotation to extract baseline characteristics, external TL, heart rate (HR)-based measures and perceived exertion. Training data were collected from sixty sub-elite young football players during a 6-week training period using 18 Hz global positioning system (GPS) with inertial sensors, 1 Hz short-range telemetry system, total quality recovery (TQR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Five principal components accounted for 68.7% of the total variance explained in the training data. Resultant equations from PCA was subdivided into: (1) explosiveness, accelerations and impacts (27.4%); (2) high-speed running (16.2%); (3) HR-based measures (10.0%); (4) baseline characteristics (8.3%); and (5) average running velocity (6.7%). Considering the highest factor in each principal component, decelerations (PCA 1), sprint distance (PCA 2), average HR (PCA 3), chronological age (PCA 4) and maximal speed (PCA 5) are the conditional dimension to be considered in TL monitoring during a standard microcycle in sub-elite youth football players. Current research provides the first composite equations to extract the most representative components during a standard in-season microcycle in sub-elite youth football players. Futures research should expand the resultant equations within training days, by considering other well-being measures, technical-tactical skills and match-related contextual factors.

Number Rinner Games To Improve 5-6 Year-Old Counting Ability

The purpose of this research is to develop educational game tools for improve children's cognitive. The application of APE (Educative Game Tool) was carried out on village children to be exact at Harapan Pertiwi 2 Kindergarten. The researcher used the R&amp;D research method (Research &amp; Development) which aims to determine the application of game tools educative windmill counting in developing the development of cognitive aspects of children. This study used a child subject, namely 4 children between the ages of 4-5 years. Technique data collection using observation, interviews, trials, expert validation, and documentation. Based on the results of the research on the application of the Counting Rabbit Educative Game Tool it is proven feasible to use and able to improve children's cognitive abilities. Children are very enthusiastic in trying the game. The results of the data obtained from the Material Expert found that the total rating score obtained was 63 out of the expected 80, after being converted in the presentation the result was 143.2% in the 'Very Good' category. In the assessment rubric it is known that there is a significant difference in the ability to recognize the concept of numbers in children aged 5-6 years in playing the Counting Rabbit Windmill. In the pre-test activity, an average score of 30 out of 80 was obtained. Meanwhile, in the post-test activity using developed media, an average score of 50 was obtained from the score of 85. The pre-test and post-test activities experienced an increase in the average score of 125.1. So that with the Counting Rabbit Wheel media it can improve children's cognitive abilities.

Lazada’s products and functions and the cooperation between Lazada and Alibaba

Whether Lazada, as a shopping platform with great influence in Southeast Asia, can benefit from the cooperation with Alibaba, and what factors will affect the product sales after shopping. This article introduces the background of Lazada and the reason why Alibaba chose to cooperate with Lazada. This article also uses descriptive tables and regression analysis methods to analyze the relationship between seller scores and product scores. The variance and mean divation of the two groups of data are simply described by the description table. Then, regression analysis is used to analyze the impact of those data on the seller rating by comparing the p value of different scores. This article concludes that Alibaba can provide sufficient funds for Lazada to help Lazada develop new software or functions, and has sufficient experience to help Lazada avoid many problems and make improvements. And the total product rating and the customer’s product score of one, two and three star will have a significant impact on the merchant’s score, and this impact will directly affect the seller’s income and product sales.

Enhancing the Hybrid Microgrid Performance with Jellyfish Optimization for Efficient MPPT and THD Estimation by the Unscented Kalman Filter

Power management in advanced grid systems requires the seamless integration of diverse renewable energy sources. This study investigates the optimization of a grid-connected system comprising a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel, energy storage system, fuel cell (FC), and diesel generator (DG) using the bioinspired metaheuristic technique called jellyfish optimization (JF). The objective is to maximize power generation from the PV system under normal and partial shading conditions. The performance of JF is compared against particle swarm optimization (PSO) using various parameters. As India heavily relies on solar PV, the results highlight JF’s exceptional effectiveness in extracting maximum power during partial shading scenarios. Inspired by the active and passive motions of jellyfish in the ocean, the JF algorithm is utilized. To further optimize the power output, the system is integrated with an efficient battery management system, PEM fuel cell stacking, and diesel generators. The system’s performance is analyzed using fast Fourier transform (FFT) to evaluate harmonic distortions, which consistently meet the limits specified in IEEE STD 1547-2018. Furthermore, unscented Kalman filter-based analysis is employed to assess total harmonic distortion (THD) and power rating for the grid system across various renewable energy scenarios. The contribution of the jellyfish optimization (JF) algorithm lies in its ability to efficiently and effectively maximize power generation from the PV system, regardless of normal or partial shading conditions. JF, a bioinspired metaheuristic optimization technique, successfully emulates the collective behavior of jellyfish in the ocean to identify optimal solutions. In this study, JF outperforms particle swarm optimization (PSO) in terms of power generation under partial shading conditions. Notably, JF exhibits remarkable capability in exploring the search space and discovering the global optimum, even when the system operates under challenging conditions. Overall, this study demonstrates the tremendous potential of JF in maximizing power generation in grid-connected systems with renewable energy sources while also highlighting the benefits of integrating additional components to further enhance the system performance.

Characteristics and influencing factors of 11C-CFT PET imaging in patients with early and late onset Parkinson's disease.

This study aims to explore the difference between 11C-methyl-N-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl)-tropanel (11C-CFT) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in the early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) and late-onset Parkinson's disease (LOPD), and to analyze the correlation between 11C-CFT PET imaging and disease duration, Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage, motor symptoms, and non-motor symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), so as to explore its application value in assessing the severity of Parkinson's disease. A total of 113 patients with idiopathic PD were included in this study. The patients were divided into EOPD and LOPD groups according to the age of 60 years, of which 58 were early-onset and 55 were late-onset. All patients underwent 11C-CFT PET imaging and manually sketched regions of interest (ROI) to delineate the caudate nucleus, anterior putamen, and posterior putamen ROI layer-by-layer, and the corresponding values were recorded. Clinical data [age of onset, disease duration, H&Y stage, total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score, UPDRS III score, tremor score, postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) score, rigidity score, bradykinesia score, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score] were collected from all patients. The differences in striatal 11C-CFT uptake between patients with EOPD and LOPD were compared, and the correlation between striatal 11C-CFT uptake and the clinical data of patients with idiopathic PD was evaluated. The caudate nucleus 11C-CFT uptake was higher in EOPD than in the LOPD group (t = 3.002, p = 0.003). 11C-CFT uptake in the caudate nucleus in patients with PD was negatively correlated with the age of onset, H&Y stage, disease duration, total UPDRS score, UPDRS III score, rigidity score, and bradykinesia score (p < 0.05). The anterior and posterior putamen 11C-CFT uptake was negatively correlated with H&Y stage, disease duration, total UPDRS score, UPDRS III score, PIGD score, rigidity score, and bradykinesia score (p < 0.05). 11C-CFT PET provides an objective molecular imaging basis for the difference in disease progression rates between patients with EOPD and LOPD. Secondly, 11C-CFT PET can be used as an important objective indicator to assess disease severity and monitor disease progression.

A Multi-Port DC Power Flow Controller Integrated With MMC Stations for Offshore Meshed Multi-Terminal HVDC Grids

Multi-terminal dc (MTDC) systems have the potential to facilitate the integration of offshore wind farms. A dc power flow controller (DPFC) is necessary for meshed multi-terminal high voltage dc (HVDC) grids to regulate the power flow in dc lines. However, DPFCs based on modular multilevel converters (MMCs) require two dc-ac conversion stages and an extra ac transformer, which increases the cost and loss for offshore platforms. This paper proposes a multi-port DPFC that is integrated internally into the offshore MMC station, eliminating the need for an extra transformer and reducing dc voltage ripple. Additionally, the full bridge submodules (FBSMs) in the DPFC can further reduce the number of FBSMs required in the MMC station for dc fault blocking. The proposed DPFC is composed only of cascaded FBSMs connected to the arms of the offshore MMC station, which can exchange power directly with the MMC valve to achieve power balance. By using the MMC station, the proposed DPFC requires a small kVA rating, approximately 1%-5% of the total system power rating. The performance of the proposed DPFC is validated through simulation of a hybrid system of the IEEE 39 bus and the Cigre HVDC benchmark, and also through down-scale experimental testing.

What Are the Load and Wellness of Young Second-Team Football Players When Transitioning to the First Team? A Comparison of 2 Consecutive Preseasons.

To compare the load and wellness of second-team academy football players during a first-team preseason with those of first-team players and those of their previous second-team preseason. Athletic Club's first- (n = 10) and second-team (n = 9) players were prospectively followed during the 2019-20 first- and second-team and 2020-21 first-team preseasons. Weekly external and internal loads and average wellness z-scores (fatigue, sleep quality, muscle soreness, stress, and mood) were compared between preseasons and teams. While training together during the 2020-21 preseason, second-team players performed more decelerations <-3m/s2 per week than first-team players (moderate effect size). For first-team players, there were only small differences between preseasons in external load, but session rating of perceived exertion was higher (moderate) and stress (moderate) and mood (large) z-scores were worse in 2020-21. For second-team players, more total distance (large), accelerations >3m/s2 (large), and decelerations <-3m/s2 (very large) were performed; total loading (moderate) and session rating of perceived exertion (moderate) were higher; and fatigue (very large) and stress (moderate) z-scores were worse during the 2020-21 first-team preseason compared to their previous second-team preseason. Players transitioning from the second team faced higher external and internal loads, fatigue, and stress during the first-team preseason compared to the previous second-team preseason. Player development and monitoring plans appear necessary to manage the transition from the academy to the first team.

Real-Time Vision-Based Sign Language Bilateral Communication Device for Signers and Non-Signers using Convolutional Neural Network

The use of sign language is an important means of communication for individuals with hearing and speech impairments, but communication barriers can still arise due to differences in grammatical rules across different sign languages. In an effort to address these barriers, this study aimed to develop a real-time two-way communication device that uses image processing and recognition systems to translate two-handed Filipino Sign Language (FSL) gestures and facial expressions into speech; the system can recognize gestures that correspond to specific words and phrases. Specifically, the researchers utilized Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to enhance the processing speed and accuracy of the device. The system also includes a speech-to-text (STT) feature that helps non-signers communicate with deaf individuals without relying on an interpreter. The study's results showed that the device achieved a 93% accuracy rate in recognizing facial expressions and FSL gestures using CNN, indicating that it is highly accurate. Additionally, the system performed in real-time, with an overall average conversion time of 1.84 and 2.74 seconds for sign language to speech and speech to text, respectively. Finally, the device was well-received by both signers and non-signers, with a total approval rating of 85.50% from participants at Manila High School, suggesting that it effectively facilitates two-way communication and has the potential to break down communication barriers.

An assessment of the performance of emergency management agency in the natural hazards management among farm households in the southeast zone, Nigeria

An assessment of the performance of emergency management agency in mitigating natural hazards among farm households in Southeast Zone, Nigeria was studied. About 240 farm households who were administered questionnaire were chosen from the states’ flood- and erosion-prone regions using multi-stage sampling technique. The results indicate that the EmergencyManagement Based-Performance Index’s average level of national emergency management activities was 57.33. The total average ratings of the National Emergency Management Agency/State Emergency Management Agency performance indicators based on their usefulness as a measure of natural hazard were estimated as 47.8% which showed that the NEMA/SEMA key performance indicators’ degree of effectiveness in hazard management is deemed to be below average of the index. These key performance indicators (KPI) include; distribution of food, provision of seedlings, provision of agro-chemical, training of farmers on postharvest crop preservation, use of weather, rehabilitation of water resources, expansion of irrigation facilities, distribution of fingerlings, provision of household items. The highest weighted score assigned to the distribution of food was 2.89, indicating that it is 57.8% successin mitigating natural disasters, while the average weight score allocated to the distribution of seedlings was 2.62, indicating a 52.4% degree of efficacy. However, the study recommends that the funds allotted to NEMA/SEMA should be monitored to ensure it is utilized in achieving its stated aims and objectives.

Analisis Perancangan Tata Letak Ritel Abdidaya Mart dengan Metode Total Closeness Rating (TCR)

Appropriate strategies in retail management are very important to win the increasingly fierce retail industry competition, one of which is by implementing a retail business layout design. Abdidaya Mart is a retailer that provides goods for daily equipment. This study was conducted to analyze the route planning of product components to achieve the most efficient and economical flow between the movement of people, equipment, and materials by implementing a layout strategy. The analytical method used is the activity relationship chart (ARC) which focuses on analyzing the interrelationships between activities in the retail business and the total closeness rating (TCR) which focuses on the degree of proximity of each facility and department to the Abdidaya Mart retail business to determine the first priority in retail development. The ARC results show that several rooms absolutely must be close together, such as the cashier's room and the display room. The TCR value indicates the sequence of rooms that are prioritized in development, namely display space with a value of 198, a cashier with a value of 190, seats with a value of 109, warehouse with a value of 136, and toilets with a value of 37. Layout solution shows the arrangement of rooms described as the result of research This. The retail business layout design is useful for facilitating retail in managing efficient layout positions and can reduce the density of movement activities that occur in retail.

ANALISIS MODEL AISDALSLove : HIERARKI EFEK RESPONS KONSUMEN TERHADAP LOGO HALAL BARU INDONESIA

This study aims to analyze the hierarchical effect of consumer responses to Indonesia's new halal logo using the AISDALSLove model. The data analysis technique used was the Total Category Rating (TCR) with a total of 200 respondents who were taken using a purposive sampling technique. The results showed that the variable awareness has the highest rating rate of 84.30%, while the variable desire and like has the lowest rating rate of 80.10%. This shows that consumers have high awareness of Indonesia's new halal logo and the importance of halal certification in food and beverage products. However, the level of consumer desire and preference in buying products containing the new Indonesian halal logo still needs to be improved. Thus, food and beverage companies need to continue to improve the quality of their halal products and strengthen marketing and education campaigns regarding the new Indonesian halal logo to increase the level of consumer desire and preference in buying halal products. This research is expected to contribute to the food and beverage industry in increasing consumer confidence in local halal products.

Patient and caregiver perspectives on quality of life in dementia: Evidence from a South Asian population.

Dementia has become a public health priority along with population ageing worldwide. Owing to its chronic progressive nature in the absence of a cure, maintaining the best possible quality of life (QOL) has become the desired outcome for people with dementia. The aim of this study was to compare the Quality of Life (QOL) of patients with dementia in Sri Lanka when assessed based on the patient's and caregiver's perspectives. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 272 pairs of patients with dementia and their primary caregivers recruited systematically from the psychiatry outpatient clinics of tertiary care state hospitals in the district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The QOL was assessed using the 28-item DEMQOL among patients and the 31-item DEMQOL-proxy among primary caregivers. The total QOL ratings and subscale scores obtained by patients and caregivers were compared and assessed for the significance of the mean scores using the independent t-test and of the mean difference in ratings using the Wilcoxon test. Agreement between patients and their caregivers on the ratings for QOL was also assessed using the Bland Altman plot. The mean overall QOL score according to patient ratings (mean = 79.7; SD = 12.0) was significantly higher than the caregiver ratings (mean = 70.6; SD = 12.3) (p< 0.001). Mean scores for the four subscales (positive emotion, negative emotion, memory, and daily life) were also significantly higher according to the patient's ratings (p<0.001). Total scores obtained by patients and their caregivers showed a positive and significant correlation (r = 0.385; p<0.001). Bland Altman plot demonstrated acceptable agreement between their ratings. The study confirms the ability of dementia patients with mild to moderate severity to successfully rate their own QOL. Furthermore, the caregiver's ratings cannot be substituted for the patient's ratings and vice versa.

Identification and Validation of Pedochemical and Fertility Indices of Soils Influencing Maize (Zea mays) Crop Production in the Rain Forest Agro-ecology of Nigeria

Background: The soil is a fundamental natural resource of any nation hence proper assessment of the kind and extent of this resource is prerequisite to its improvement and rational use. Method: Random sampling technique was used to collect soils from each of the 18 LGAs of Cross River State, Nigeria and each separated into two parts. One part was used for the cultivation of local maize while the other part of soil was analysed for pedochemical properties and fertility indices. Result: The results reveal that organic carbon ranged from 1.40 g/kg3 to 2.84 g/kg3. Available Phosphorus varied from 3.31 mg/kg to 29.24 mg/kg. The value of total nitrogen varied from 0.11 g/kg3 to 0.24 g/kg3. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) also varied from 7.01 Cmol/kg3 to 12.01 Cmol/kg3. The soils across the agroecology were more acidic 5.00 to less acidic 0.61. Boron varied from 0.52 mg/kg3 to 2.01 mg/kg3 while Zinc also ranged from 1.93 mg/kg3 to 5.0 mg/kg3. The results also show that 33.33% of the soils were rated high, medium and low for available phosphorus. It was identified that total nitrogen nutrient fertility ratings for the soils was 77.78% high fertility ratings and 22.22% medium fertility ratings. Results identified organic carbon fertility rating was of high fertility rating of 72.23% while 27.67% medium rating was identified for organic carbon content. Ten (10) principal components (PC) were identified to contribute to the total 100% support for maize crop production in the study area.

MARKETING AND CHALLENGES FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE IN UTTARAKHAND

Background: The first case in Uttarakhand was recorded on March 15, 2020, and the total positivity rating was 17.5 on May 22, 2020. Given that Vaccination was the only “foolproof” way to fight against COVID-19, the inoculation of the population was necessary to revitalize the economy, protect its citizens and take a step closer to defeating the pandemic. Thus, Vaccine Drives were heavily incentivized and marketed to the general population.Methods: In this research paper, the marketing, and challenges of vaccination in Uttarakhand have been analysed by collecting primary data through questionnaires and secondary data through research papers, articles, official government websites and newspapersFindings: The Uttarakhand government employed various strategies to vaccinate the general public. They provided non-monetary incentives, appointed vaccine ambassadors, provided for workplace vaccinations and associated with private offices to run vaccine programs. These were met with certain barriers caused mainly due to the demographic factors such as nature of locality (rural/ urban), gender, etc. and vaccination shortage.Conclusion: The programs of the Uttarakhand Government were met with mostly satisfactory responses. The problems causing barriers to vaccination have mostly straightforward answers which have to be implemented through long-term plans such as providing technical skills, better accessibility in rural regions and education to be scientifically aware among the general populace.

“They don’t understand how bad I feel”: Inconsistencies between mother-rated and self-rated symptoms of depression in autistic girls

BackgroundMost previous reports of the level of agreement between parents’ and their autistic children’s self-reports of the latter’s depression have used the total score from a scale. However, depression is a heterogeneous disorder, comprised of 10 discrete symptoms. This study examined carer-reports versus self-reports of depressive symptomatology in autistic girls. MethodFifty-three autistic girls and their mothers completed the Major Depressive Disorder subscale of the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory (4th ed). Data were examined at the individual symptom level, and also in terms of whether mothers under- or over-rated their daughter’s self-reports. ResultsAlthough about 15% of the mothers and daughters gave the same total score ratings, nearly 38% of mothers over-rated their daughters’ ratings, and more than 47% under-rated their daughters’ severity of depression scores. The autistic girls rated their change in activity and their change in sleeping more severely than their mothers did, but the mothers rated their daughters’ anhedonia more severely. ConclusionsAssessment of autistic girls depression symptom profiles may be less than completely accurate when based solely upon mothers’ information. The pattern of mother-daughter depression symptom inconsistencies suggests that individualised treatment planning for depression in autistic girls may be partially impeded by the possibility that these girls seek to disguise some of their depressive symptomatology, and that mothers’ ratings may also be influenced by their own depressive state.

Characteristics of fatigue in Parkinson's disease: A longitudinal cohort study.

To assess the prevalence, evolution, clinical characteristics, correlates and predictors of fatigue as well as to investigate the influence of comorbid fatigue on the longitudinal changes in motor and non-motor symptoms over a 2-year longitudinal follow-up period in a large cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). A total of 2,100 PD patients were enrolled from the Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Multicenter Database and Collaborative Network in China (PD-MDCNC), and their motor and non-motor symptoms were assessed biennially using comprehensive scales, including the 16-item Parkinson Fatigue Scale (PFS-16). Each PD patient was categorized as PD with or without fatigue on the basis of a cut-off mean PFS-16 score of 3.3. The prevalence of fatigue in our cohort was 36.8%. Compared to PD patients without fatigue, PD patients with fatigue were more likely to be older, have a longer disease duration, and higher baseline levodopa equivalent daily dose (all p < 0.05). Moreover, PD patients with fatigue showed more severe motor and non-motor phenotypes than those without fatigue. Overall, high total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.016, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.009-1.024), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale score (OR = 1.022, 95% CI: 1.015-1.029), postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD) subtype (OR = 1.586, 95% CI: 1.211-2.079), presence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS; OR = 1.343, 95% CI: 1.083-1.666), and wearing-off (OR = 1.282, 95% CI: 1.023-1.607) were significantly associated with fatigue in PD patients (all p < 0.05). High total UPDRS score at baseline (OR = 1.014, 95% CI: 1.002-1.027, p = 0.028) increased the risk of developing fatigue during follow-up. Although significant, the odds ratios were low and confidence intervals were narrow. Analysis of disease progression showed significant group differences in motor and non-motor symptoms. In comparison with the never-fatigue group, the persistent-fatigue group showed significantly greater progression in motor, autonomic dysfunction, sleep, depression and cognitive symptoms (all p < 0.05). Increased disease severity, presence of the PIGD subtype, EDS, and wearing-off were associated with fatigue in PD patients. Significant subgroup-level differences were observed in the progression of motor and non-motor symptoms across different fatigue subgroups of PD patients.

Anxiety and depression in keratotic oral lichen planus: a multicentric study from the SIPMO

ObjectivesOral lichen planus with exclusive keratotic reticular, papular, and/or plaque-like lesions (K-OLP) is a clinical pattern of OLP that may be associated with a complex symptomatology and psychological alteration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety (A) and depression (D) in patients with K-OLP, analyzing the potential predictors which can affect mental health status.MethodsThree hundred K-OLP patients versus 300 healthy controls (HC) were recruited in 15 Italian universities. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Total Pain Rating Index (T-PRI), and Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression and for Anxiety (HAM-D and HAM-A) were administered.ResultsThe K-OLP patients showed statistically higher scores in the NRS, T-PRI, HAM-D, and HAM-A compared with the HC (p-value < 0.001**). A and D were found in 158 (52.7%) and 148 (49.3%) K-OLP patients. Strong linear correlations were identified between HAM-A, HAM-D, NRS, T-PRI, and employment status and between HAM-D, HAM-A, NRS, T-PRI, employment status, and female gender. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that HAM-D and HAM-A showed the greatest increase in the R2 value for A and D in the K-OLP patients, respectively (DR2 = 55.5% p-value < 0.001**; DR2 = 56.5% p-value < 0.001**).ConclusionsThe prevalence of A and D is higher in the K-OLP patients compared with the HC, also found in K-OLP subjects without pain, suggesting that the processing of pain may be in a certain way independent of the processing of mood.Clinical relevanceMood disorders and pain assessment should be carefully performed in relation to K-OLP to obtain a complete analysis of the patients.

Integrating patient-reported-outcomes into prognostication in gastroesophageal cancer: Results of a population-based retrospective cohort analysis.

320 Background: Patient reported outcomes (PRO) measures are accurate self-reflections of an individual’s physical functioning and emotional well-being. The prognostic value is unknown in gastroesophageal (GE) cancer patients (pts). The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) is a simple and validated 10-item PRO tool which uses a 0 to 10 rating of ten common symptoms (total rating 0-100). In this study, we examined the association between the ESAS score and overall survival (OS) in pts with localized and metastatic GE adenocarcinoma (GEA). Methods: This study is based on the retrospective cohort database of pts with localized (stage I-III) and metastatic GEA. We included pts who were diagnosed with GEA between 2011 and 2021 and completed at least 1 baseline ESAS prior to the treatment. Pts were grouped into 3 cohorts based as follows: High symptom burden (SB) ESAS score ≥ 26, Moderate SB (11-25) or low SB (0-10). OS was defined as time from the first visit date to death. OS was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and significance was set at 2-sided P &lt; 0.05. Univariate statistical analyses were used to examine the relationships between OS and multiple variables in the presentation. Results: 233 pts met the inclusion criteria: median age was 60.8y [51.4, 69.4]; 58% of pts were ECOG PS 1; 81% were non-Asian and 18.9% Asian; 67.4% of pts were male and 32.6% female. In terms of tumor location, gastric represented 47.2% of pts, GEJ 40.8% and esophageal 12.0% primaries; 43.7% pts were stage I-III, while 56.3% were de-novo metastatic pts. Median OS in Low, Mod, High SB pts cohorts were 22.7m, 17.6mm, &amp; 14.6m, respectively (p &lt; 0.036). Although worse OS and worse ESAS levels were not statistically significant in the localized pts (p, 505) and metastatic subgroup (p 0,092), there was a numerical tendency, especially in the metastatic pts. In the univariate analysis, there was a significant association between OS and high-symptom burden (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.64 (95% CI, 1.12-2.38; p = 0.0104), ECOG ≥2 (HR= 2.79 (95% CI, 1.62-4.79; p = 0.0002) and metastatic pts (HR= 3.50 (95% CI, 2.51-4.86, p&lt;0.0001). Conclusions: Higher SB based on ESAS was associated with poorer OS among GEA pts. ESAS is a reliable tool that carries a prognostic significance that could be used in practice.[Table: see text]

Online Health Information for Penile Prosthesis Implants Lacks Quality and Is Unreadable to the Average US Patient.

Online health information (OHI) has become widely accessible and affects patient decisions regarding their healthcare. The purpose of this study was to assess the readability, quality, and accuracy of information available to patients online about penile prosthesis implants (PPIs). We performed a Google search using the keywords "penile implant" and "penile prosthesis." The first 30 search results for both terms were analyzed, and advertisements, news articles, duplicates, and videos were excluded. Websites were categorized as institutional, commercial, and personal/patient support. Readability of each website was determined using the Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL) readability formula within the readable tool. Quality was measured by Health On the Net (HON) certification status and the DISCERN scoring method. For website accuracy, a score of 1-4 (1=0-25%, 2=25-50%, 3=50-75%, and 4=75-100%) was assigned. Forty-four websites met the criteria (23 institutional, 12 commercial, and 9 personal/patient support). The mean total FKGL score was 9.55. No statistical difference was detected between mean FKGL for each website category (p=0.69). Only eight websites (18%) scored ≤8th-grade reading level (average US adult level), while 36 (82%) were >8th-gradelevel. Mean total DISCERN sum score was 39.74/75, with no statistical difference in mean DISCERN score between website types (p=0.08). Over half (55%) of the websites were defined as "very poor" or "poor" quality by DISCERN scoring. Mean total overall quality rating was 2.67/5. HON certification was verified for only nine websites (20%). Twenty-five percent of websites were classified as 0-25% accurate, 23% were 25-50% accurate, 30% were 50-75% accurate, and 23% were 75-100% accurate. Most information on the Internet about PPIs is reasonably accurate; however, the majority of websites are deficient in quality and unreadable to the average patient, irrespective of website type.