bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity and emotional intelligence among undergraduate students: a correlational study
Authors: Acebes-Sánchez Jorge , Diez-Vega Ignacio , Esteban-Gonzalo Sara , Rodriguez-Romo Gabriel 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundPhysical activity (PA) can be a mechanism that develops emotions. Emotional intelligence (EI) is related to significant public health and psychological benefits. However, there is little information about the relationships between PA and EI dimensions: emotional attention, clarity, and repair. This study examined the possible relationships between these variables in undergraduate students from Madrid. As a secondary aim, sex differences in PA domains and EI dimensions were examined.MethodsA total of 2960 (21.34 ± 4.34 years) undergraduate students from Madrid (Spain) fulfilled the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24) and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). We used a MANOVA to compare EI and PA levels according to sex. Different linear regressions were conducted to calculate the PA and age prediction power based on EI.ResultsWe found a significant association between EI dimensions and PA levels, although these relationships were small. Fully adjusted linear regression showed that sex and leisure-time PA (LTPA) were associated of emotional attention (r2c = .025). Sex, age, and LTPA were associated of emotional repair (r2c = .024). There were statistically significant differences in EI by sex (p ≤ .001; η2p =.039), with higher scores in emotional attention for women (p ≤ .001) and emotional clarity (p ≤ .001) and repair (p ≤ .001) for men. PA levels differed according to sex (p ≤ .001; η2p =.038). Men show higher scores in LTPA levels (p = .002) and occupational PA (p ≤ .001).ConclusionsUndergraduate students with higher levels of LTPA showed a better score on EI, specifically in emotional attention and emotional repair. However, these associations and the predictive power of LTPA regarding emotional attention and emotional repair were weak. Men engaged in more LTPA and occupational PA and had higher emotional clarity and emotional repair than women. However, women had higher emotional attention.
A survey of the prevalence of modifiable health risk behaviours among carers of people with a mental illness
Authors: Bailey Jacqueline M. , Regan Tim W. , Bartlem Kate M. , Wiggers John H. , Wye Paula M. , Bowman Jenny A. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Family carers provide significant support to people with a mental illness; yet may experience poor mental and physical health themselves. Among limited research addressing the physical health of carers, studies of carers of people with dementia and young people with psychosis suggest increased risk of chronic diseases in conjunction with higher levels of potentially modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours. This exploratory study, conducted with carers of people with various mental illnesses, aimed to determine: carer prevalence of health risk behaviours (inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, inadequate physical activity, harmful alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking); interest in changing ‘at risk’ behaviours; and potential associations of socio-demographic characteristics with risk status and interest in change.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among family carers of people with a mental illness (N = 144) residing in New South Wales, Australia. Analyses explored risk behaviour prevalence and interest in change, and associations with socio-demographic variables.

Results
Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption was most prevalent (74.8%), followed by engaging in inadequate amounts of physical activity (57.6%); harmful alcohol consumption (36.3%) and smoking (11.8%). The majority of carers were interested in improving ‘at risk’ behaviours (56.3–89.2%), with the exception of alcohol consumption (41.5%). Previously or never married participants were more likely to consume inadequate amounts of fruits and/or vegetables compared to those married or cohabiting (Odds Ratio [OR]: 4.1, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.3–12.9, p = .02). Carers in the workforce were more likely to be engaging in inadequate physical activity (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2–5.7, p =  .02); and male participants were more likely to engage in harmful alcohol consumption (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1–7.9, p = .03). Working carers were approximately five times more likely to report interest in improving their alcohol consumption (OR: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.3–20.5, p = .02) compared to those not currently in the workforce.

Conclusions
Results suggest high engagement in health risk behaviours among carers of people with a mental illness, particularly with regards to harmful alcohol consumption. Findings suggest a need to develop and implement chronic disease prevention strategies. Further research with larger representative samples is needed to confirm findings.
A targeted promotional DVD fails to improve Māori and Pacific participation rates in the New Zealand bowel screening pilot: results from a pseudo-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bartholomew Karen , Zhou Lifeng , Crengle Sue , Buswell Elizabeth , Buckley Anne , Sandiford Peter 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
New Zealand’s Bowel Screening Pilot (BSP) used a mailed invitation to return a faecal immunochemical test. As a pilot it offered opportunities to test interventions for reducing ethnic inequities in colorectal cancer screening prior to nationwide programme introduction. Small media interventions (e.g. educational material and DVDs) have been used at both community and participant level to improve uptake. We tested whether a DVD originally produced to raise community awareness among the Māori population would have a positive impact on participation and reduce the proportion of incorrectly performed tests (spoiled kits) if mailed out with the usual reminder letter.

Methods
The study was a parallel groups pseudo-randomised controlled trial. Over 12 months, all Māori and Pacific ethnicity non-responders four weeks after being mailed the test kit were allocated on alternate weeks to be sent, or not, the DVD intervention with the usual reminder letter. The objective was to determine changes in participation and spoiled kit rates in each ethnic group, determined three months from the date the reminder letter was sent. Participants and those recording the outcomes (receipt of a spoiled or non-spoiled test kit) were blinded to group assignment.

Results
2333 Māori and 2938 Pacific people participated (11 withdrew). Those who were sent the DVD (1029 Māori and 1359 Pacific) were less likely to participate in screening than those who were not (1304 Māori and 1579 Pacific). Screening participation was reduced by 12.3% (95% CI 9.1–15.5%) in Māori (13.6% versus 25.9%) and 8.3% (95% CI 5.8–10.8%) in Pacific (10.1% versus 18.4%). However, spoiled kit rates (first return) were significantly higher among those not sent the DVD (33.1% versus 12.4% in Māori and 42.1% versus 21.9% in Pacific).

Conclusion
The DVD sent with the reminder letter to BSP non-responders reduced screening participation to an extent that more than offset the lower rate of spoiled kits.

Trial registration
Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612001259831. Registered 30 November 2013.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of digital interventions for illicit substance misuse harm reduction in third-level students
Authors: Dick Samantha , Whelan Eadaoin , Davoren Martin P. , Dockray Samantha , Heavin Ciara , Linehan Conor , Byrne Michael 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Illicit substance misuse is a growing public health problem, with misuse peaking among 18–25 year-olds, and attendance at third-level education identified as a risk factor. Illicit substance misuse has the potential to harm mental and physical health, social relationships, and impact on academic achievements and future career prospects. Digital interventions have been identified as a vehicle for reaching large student populations and circumventing the limited capacity of student health services for delivering face-to-face interventions. Digital interventions have been developed in the area of alcohol and tobacco harm reduction, reporting some effectiveness, but the evidence for the effectiveness of digital interventions targeting illicit substance misuse is lacking. This review aims to systematically identify and critically appraise studies examining the effectiveness of digital interventions for illicit substance misuse harm reduction in third-level students.

Methods
We systematically searched ten databases in April 2018 using keywords and database specific terms under the pillars of “mHealth,” “substance misuse,” and “student.” To be eligible for inclusion, papers had to present a measure of illicit substance misuse harm reduction. Included articles were critically appraised and included in the qualitative synthesis regardless of quality.

Results
A total of eight studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Studies reported harm reduction in terms of substance misuse or initiation, as consequences or problems associated with substance misuse, or as correction of perceived social norms. Overall, five out of the eight studies reported at least one positive outcome for harm reduction. The critical appraisal indicated that the study quality was generally weak, predominantly due to a lack of blinding of study participants, and the use of self-reported substance misuse measures. However, results suggest that digital interventions may produce a modest reduction in harm from illicit substance misuse.

Conclusions
The results of this review are positive, and support the need for further high-quality research in this area, particularly given the success of digital interventions for alcohol and tobacco harm reduction. However, very few studies focused solely on illicit substances, and those that did targeted only marijuana. This suggests the need for further research on the effectiveness of this type of intervention for other illicit substances.

Trial registration
This review is registered on PROSPERO, ID number: CRD42018097203.
LncRNA PLAC 2 downregulated miR-21 in non-small cell lung cancer and predicted survival
Authors: Xia Huan , Xiu Ming , Gao Jinying , Jing Hongyu 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
LncRNA PLAC2 has been characterized as a tumor suppressive lncRNA in glioma. We investigated the role of PLAC2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods
A total of 187 NSCLC patients were admitted by The First Hospital of Jilin University from December 2010 to December 2014. All the patients were diagnosed by histopathological approaches. Transient cell transfections, RT-qPCR, invasion, and migration ability measurement, were applied for the experiments.

Results
PLAC2 was down-regulated, while miR-21 was up-regulated in NSCLC tissues compared to non-cancer tissues. Low PLAC2 levels in NSCLC tissues were associated with poor survival of NSCLC patients. PLAC2 and miR-21 were inversely correlated, and PLAC 2 over-expression in NSCLC cells resulted in the down-regulation of miR-21. However, miR-21 over-expression did not significantly affect PLAC2 expression. In addition, PLAC2 over-expression resulted in decreased migration and invasion rates of NSCLC cells. MiR-21 over-expression played the opposite role and attenuated the effects of PLAC2 over-expression.

Conclusions
In conclusion, lncRNA PLAC2 down-regulated miR-21 in NSCLC and inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion.
Circadian rhythm of COPD symptoms in clinically based phenotypes. Results from the STORICO Italian observational study
Authors:   on behalf of STORICO study group, Scichilone Nicola , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele , Blasi Francesco , Schino Pietro , Cuttitta Giuseppina , Zullo Alessandro , Ori Alessandra , Canonica Giorgio Walter 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) encompasses various phenotypes that severely limit the applicability of precision respiratory medicine. The present investigation is aimed to assess the circadian rhythm of symptoms in pre-defined clinical COPD phenotypes and its association with health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), the quality of sleep and the level of depression/anxiety in each clinical phenotype.

Methods
The STORICO (NCT03105999) Italian observational prospective cohort study enrolled COPD subjects. A clinical diagnosis of either chronic bronchitis (CB), emphysema (EM) or mixed COPD-asthma (MCA) phenotype was made by clinicians at enrollment. Baseline early-morning, day-time and nocturnal symptoms (gathered via the Night-time, Morning and Day-time Symptoms of COPD questionnaire), HR-QoL (via the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire), anxiety and depression levels (via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), quality of sleep (via COPD and Asthma Sleep Impact Scale), physical activity (via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire) as well as lung function were recorded.

Results
606 COPD subjects (age 71.4 ± 8.2 years, male 75.1%) were studied. 57.9, 35.5 5.3 and 1.3% of the sample belonged to the CB, EM, MCA and EM + CB phenotypes respectively. The vast majority of subjects reported early-morning and day-time symptoms (79.5 and 79.2% in the CB and 75.8 and 77.7% in the EM groups); the proportion suffering from night-time symptoms was higher in the CB than in the EM group (53.6% vs. 39.5%, p = 0.0016). In both CB and EM, indiscriminately, the presence of symptoms during the 24-h day was associated with poorer HR-QoL, worse quality of sleep and higher levels of anxiety/depression.

Conclusions
The findings highlight the primary classificatory role of nocturnal symptoms in COPD.

Trial registration
Trial registration number: NCT03105999, date of registration: 10th April 2017.
Novel biodegradable magnesium alloy clips compared with titanium clips for hepatectomy in a rat model
Authors: Urade Takeshi , Yoshida Toshihiko , Ikeo Naoko , Naka Kosuke , Kido Masahiro , Toyama Hirochika , Ueno Kimihiko , Tanaka Motofumi , Mukai Toshiji , Fukumoto Takumi 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
The use of surgical metal clips is crucial for ligating vessels in various operations. The currently available metal clips have several drawbacks; they are permanent and interfere with imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and carry the potential risk of endo-clip migration. We recently developed a novel magnesium (Mg) alloy for biodegradable clips that reduces artifacts on CT imaging. This study aimed to examine the tolerance, biodegradability, and biocompatibility of the Mg alloy clips compared with those of standard titanium (Ti) clips in hepatectomy.

Methods
Thirty Wistar rats were divided into two groups based on the clip used (groups A and B). The vascular pedicle, including hepatic artery, portal vein, bile duct, and hepatic vein of the left lateral lobe, was ligated with the Ti clip in group A or the Mg alloy clip in group B, and then the left lateral lobe was removed. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 4, 12, 24, and 36 weeks after surgery. Clinical and histological evaluations were performed. Absorption rate was calculated by measuring the clip volume.

Results
Although the Mg alloy clips showed biodegradability over time, there were no significant differences in the serum concentration of Mg between the two groups. The remaining volume ratio of Mg alloy clips was 95.5, 94.3, 80.0, 36.2, and 16.7% at 1, 4, 12, 24, and 36 weeks, respectively. No side effects occurred. Most of the microscopic changes were similar in both groups.

Conclusions
The new biodegradable Mg alloy clips are safe and feasible in vessel ligation for hepatectomy in a rat model and reduce artifacts in CT imaging compared with the standard Ti clips.
Efficacy analysis of two surgical treatments for thoracic and lumbar intraspinal tumours
Authors: Song Zhaojun , Zhang Zhi , Ye Yongjie , Zheng Jiazhuang , Wang Fandong 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Surgery remains the main curative option for the treatment of intraspinal tumour. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of laminoplasty with process-lamina complex replantation compared with laminectomy with pedicle screw fixation for intraspinal tumours.

Methods
In our retrospective analysis, 27 patients received tumour resection surgery by laminoplasty with reconstruction plate fixation and 32 patients received laminectomy with pedicle screw fixation. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Data, including surgical time, blood loss, volume of drainage, drainage time, hospital stay, complications, and neurological status were compared. In addition, imaging evaluation was also included.

Results
Patients in the laminoplasty group had lower blood loss (laminoplasty group: 281.5 ± 130.2 mL; laminectomy group: 450.0 ± 224.3 mL; p = 0.001), shorter surgical time (laminoplasty group: 141.7 ± 26.2 min, laminectomy group: 175.3 ± 50.4 min; p = 0.003), lower volume of drainage (laminoplasty group: 1578.9 ± 821.7 mL, laminectomy group: 2621.2 ± 1351.0 mL; p = 0.001), shorter drainage time (laminoplasty group: 6.6 ± 2.5 days, laminectomy group: 9.7 ± 1.8 days; p = 0.000), and a shorter hospital stay (laminoplasty group: 16.9 ± 4.9 days, laminectomy group: 21.0 ± 4.4 days; p = 0.002) compared with patients in the laminectomy group. There were significant differences of oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) between the two groups at 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.034). The incidence of secondary spinal stenosis in the laminoplasty group was significantly reduced (p = 0.029).

Conclusions
Laminoplasty in intraspinal tumour resection has a lower blood loss and volume of drainage, shorter surgical time and hospital stay as advantages over the standard laminectomy technique. Moreover, laminoplasty can effectively avoid iatrogenic spinal canal stenosis and thus enhancing functional recovery of spinal cord.
Quality of Life (QoL) among medical students in Saudi Arabia: a study using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument
Authors: Malibary Husam , Zagzoog Mohammad M. , Banjari Maysaa A. , Bamashmous Ryan O. , Omer Anoud R. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundPoor Quality of Life (QoL) among medical students is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, psychological distress, and academic failure, which could affect their care for patients in the future. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Arabic WHOQOL-BREF tool among Saudi medical students and to assess the effect of gender, educational level, and academic performance on their QoL.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study among medical students of King Abdulaziz University in February 2016, using the Arabic version of the WHOQOL-BREF instrument.ResultsSix-hundred-thirty medical students were included, where females constituted (51.1%). Cronbach’s α coefficient for the overall domains of WHOQOL-BREF was 0.86. Students’ self-reported QoL mean score was 3.99 ± 0.95, and their mean score for the overall satisfaction with health was 3.66 ± 1.06. The environmental domain had the highest mean score (67.81 ± 17.39). High achievers showed lower psychological health, while poor academic performance was associated with better psychological health and social relationship QoL scores (P < 0.013 andP < 0.014, respectively).ConclusionsThe WHOQOL-BREF is valid and reliable for assessing QoL among Saudi medical students. Although gender and academic year had no impact on the students’ QoL, better-performing students reported lower psychological health and social relationships scores.
Implementing the skilled birth attendance strategy in Uganda: a policy analysis
Authors: Munabi-Babigumira Susan , Nabudere Harriet , Asiimwe Delius , Fretheim Atle , Sandberg Kristin 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Uganda, a low resource country, implemented the skilled attendance at birth strategy, to meet a key target of the 5th Millenium Development Goal (MDG), 75% reduction in maternal mortality ratio. Maternal mortality rates remained high, despite the improvement in facility delivery rates. In this paper, we analyse the strategies implemented and bottlenecks experienced as Uganda’s skilled birth attendance policy was rolled out. These experiences provide important lessons for decision makers as they implement policies to further improve maternity care.

Methods
This is a case study of the implementation process, involving a document review and in-depth interviews among key informants selected from the Ministry of Health, Professional Organisations, Ugandan Parliament, the Health Service Commission, the private not-for-profit sector, non-government organisations, and District Health Officers. The Walt and Gilson health policy triangle guided data collection and analysis.

Results
The skilled birth attendance policy was an important priority on Uganda’s maternal health agenda and received strong political commitment, and support from development partners and national stakeholders. Considerable effort was devoted to implementation of this policy through strategies to increase the availability of skilled health workers for instance through expanded midwifery training, and creation of the comprehensive nurse midwife cadre. In addition, access to emergency obstetric care improved to some extent as the physical infrastructure expanded, and distribution of medicines and supplies improved. However, health worker recruitment was slow in part due to the restrictive staff norms that were remnants of previous policies. Despite considerable resources allocated to creating the comprehensive nurse midwife cadre, this resulted in nurses that lacked midwifery skills, while the training of specialised midwives reduced. The rate of expansion of the physical infrastructure outpaced the available human resources, equipment, blood infrastructure, and several health facilities were not fully functional.

Conclusion
Uganda’s skilled birth attendance policy aimed to increase access to obstetric care, but recruitment of human resources, and infrastructural capacity to provide good quality care remain a challenge. This study highlights the complex issues and unexpected consequences of policy implementation. Further evaluation of this policy is needed as decision-makers develop strategies to improve access to skilled care at birth.