bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutritional status of primary school students and its association on academic performance in north-central Ethiopia: Cross sectional study
Authors: Eniyew Tigist , Abebe Fikirtemariam , Gela Debela , Asegid Agezegn , Tiruneh Dawit 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Under-nutrition is a fundamental factor which resulted in delayed cognitive development and under achievement of academic performance later in children’s life. Despite the great struggle to prevent malnutrition it is still a major global burden which mainly affects children. The extent of under-nutrition in Ethiopia has been established well but there are insufficient evidences about its relationship with educational achievement of school age children.
Objective : To assess the correlation of nutritional status with academic performance among public primary school children
Method: - An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted over 399 primary school children in Debre-Tabor Town, Amhara Regional State North-Central Ethiopia, 2018 after selecting them with simple random sampling. The nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurement of WHO 2007 reference as Height for Age Z-score (HAZ), Weight for Age Z-score (WAZ) and Body Mass Index for Age Z-score (BAZ). Academic performance was assessed by calculating two semesters overall subjects average score. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation test and linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 and nutritional status was analyzed using WHO AnthroPlus version 1.0.4 (5-19 years).
Result: -The prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and overweight was 22%, 32.4%, 24.3% and 1.3% respectively. The mean academic performance for study participants was 71.65(±12.63 SD). There was statistically significant positive relationship between academic achievement and HAZ. Age of child and absenteeism were associated negatively while head of house, attending preschool and breakfast habit associated positively with educational achievement of the study participants.
Conclusion:- The prevalence of under-nutrition among study participants was high. Considering correlation of absenteeism, skipping breakfast, having preschool education and HAZ, nutritional interventions should be considered at prenatal, infancy and preschool period to sustain positive impact and reducing negative factors.
Key Terms: Nutritional status, Academic performance, primary school, child1.
School Gardening Activities have Profound Potential in Influencing the Knowledge, Attitude, Self-efficacy and Frequency of Fruit and Vegetable Intake by Late Adolescents
Authors: Kafeero Hussein Mukasa , Kavuma David , Nantume Lillian Wampande , Mbabazi Scovia 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Back ground

The dietary intake of fruits and vegetables by adolescents is influenced by self-efficacy, attitude and knowledge.This study was designed to understand the role of school gardens in influencing the frequency, attitudes, knowledge and self-efficacy of late in-school adolescents on their dietary intake of fruits and vegetables.Methods

The study followed a cross-sectional study design employing quantitative research methods. The target population comprised of late adolescents 18-25 years attending the two-selected secondary school; one with gardening activities and another not. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed by t-test , Mann Whitney U test, Pearson Rank Correlation and odds ratio.Results

Generally, there were low fruit (8 & 9) and vegetable (6 & 7) servings per week among the unexposed and the exposed groups respectively as compared to the USDA recommendation (14 and 11) servings per week for fruits and vegetables respectively. However, students exposed to gardening had slightly higher scores of fruits and vegetable frequency as compared to those not exposed (OR=1.0370). Students believed they consumed more fruits than vegetables with the exposed group consuming more fruits (p<0.0001) and vegetables (p<0.0001) than the control group. The students knew more nutritional value for fruit intake than for vegetable intake with the exposed group having higher knowledge scores than the control (OR=1.32). The students in the exposed group were more confident in consuming fruits and vegetables rather than a snack (p=0.008), ice cream (p=0.004), three times a day (p<0.0001) compared to the control group.Conclusion

Overall, there was low fruit and vegetable intake by the study subjects. However, fruits were consumed more than the vegetables with the exposed group posting slightly higher weekly intake of fruits and vegetables than the control group. The students knew the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables attaching more importance on the fruits than vegetables with exposed group having better knowledge than the control. Although students in both groups were confident in consuming fruits and vegetables, the exposed group was more confident than the unexposed.
Individual and community-level factors influencing optimal breastfeeding: A multilevel analysis from a national survey study in Ethiopia
Authors: Hagos Amanuel , Tsadik Mache , Bekele Abate , Tesfahunegn Afewerki 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

Optimal breastfeeding is critical for healthy growth. Despite this about 820,000 children and 20,000 women lost due to inappropriate breastfeeding each year globally. In Ethiopia, about 50,000 children lost related to malnutrition. Of these, about 18% of child death is contributed by poor breastfeeding habit. Many studies reported the individual-level factors; however, little is known about the determinants of breastfeeding at the hierarchical level. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with optimal breastfeeding among children age 0-5 month in Ethiopia using multilevel analysis.Methods

A five-year representative survey study was conducted to assess the determinants of optimal breastfeeding among 1,087 children aged 0-5 months using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data (EDHS). Both bivariate and multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis were done to identify significant explanatory variables. Fixed effect and random effect were done to estimate the association between the dependent and explanatory variable and to measure the variation explained by the higher level respectively.Results

Among the total of 1,087 children, only 45.4% of optimally breastfed. Children aged 4-5 months (AOR =0.19; 95%CI: 0.12-0.27), children from richest wealth index (AOR=2.87; 95% CI: 1.53- 5.43), children born through cesarean section and residing in Afar region were found significantly associated with optimal breastfeeding. The random-effects showed that the variation between communities was statistically significant.Conclusion

Both individual and community level factors play a significant role in shaping optimal breastfeeding. Future strategies and health interventions should target individual and community level factors that enhance optimal breastfeeding.
Food insecurity and its gender disparity among adult people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Boneya Dube Jara , Ahmed Ahmed Ali , Yalew Alemayehu Worku 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus may lack access to sufficient quantities of nutritious foods and are vulnerable to food insecurity. Studies suggest there is gender-based inequality in the experience of food insecurity. The few studies conducted on the prevalence of food insecurity among adults living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Ethiopia presented inconclusive findings. Therefore, the objective of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of food insecurity and its gender disparity among adult patients living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia.Method

We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The research databases PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, PopLine, MedNar, Embase, Cochrane library, the JBI Library and the WEB OF SCIENCE were searched using keywords. We included studies reporting prevalence of food insecurity among adults aged greater than 18 years who were living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence at 95% CI. Funnel plots and Egger’s and Begg’s tests were used to check for publication bias.Results

A total of 52 studies representing 4031 adults were identified; eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimated prevalence of food insecurity was 63.44% (95% CI: 46.33-80.54%). A higher pooled prevalence of food insecurity was observed among females (68.85%, 95% CI (57.88%, 79.81%)) compared to males (31.15%, 95% CI (20.19%, 42.12%)).Conclusion

The review demonstrates a high prevalence of food insecurity among people living with HIV in Ethiopia, with evidence of greater vulnerability among women. Interventions should be culture and context specific to address regional and gender disparities in the prevalence of food insecurity.
Sex Differences of the Brain Structural Adaptation to Hypoxic Environment
Authors: Fan Cunxiu , Zhao Cunhua , Zhao Yuhua , Yin Wu , Lin Jianzhong , Zhang Jiaxing 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background Different physiological and pathological patterns have been found in the two sexes at high altitude. However, sex differences in brain remain unknown. Methods T1-weighted MRI scanned in 61 Tibetan males and 68 Tibetan females aged 17-23, and Freesurfer was used to detect brain structures. Neuropsychological tests were also performed. One hundred and twenty-seven matched lowland Han subjects were controls. Results Both Tibetan and Han males had larger global gray matter (GM) volume and white matter volume than females, while Tibetan but not Han female brains contained a larger proportion of GM than male brains. Tibetan females had significant smaller regional GM volume in the left rostral middle frontal gyrus, pars opercularis, and right caudal middle frontal gyrus and moreover, GM volume in the left pars opercularis positively correlated with performance in digit span. However, Tibetans females had significantly thicker cortices in the left rostral middle frontal gyrus, left pars triangularis, right rostral middle frontal gyrus, and right pars triangularis than males and cortical thickness in these regions negatively correlated with altitude. In Tibetan females but not males, the negative correlation of cortical thickness with altitude has been testified by global analysis. Conversely, Han subjects showed discrepant sex differences in brains with Tibetans, showing larger regional GM volume and thicker cortices in different brain areas. Conclusion Sex differences exist between Tibetan and Han brains. Female brains may be more susceptible to hypoxia. Sex differences in the brains of Tibetans may be related to different neuropsychiatric performances in the two sexes.
Determining the feasibility and effectiveness of brief online mindfulness training for rural medical students: a pilot study
Authors: Moore Sarah Jane , Barbour Rita , Ngo Hanh , Sinclair Craig , Chambers Richard , Auret Kirsten , Hassed Craig , Playford Denese 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

We sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness training program, delivered online to medical students at a Rural Clinical School.Methods

An 8-week online training program was delivered to penultimate-year medical students at an Australian Rural Clinical School during 2016. Using a mixed methods approach, we measured the frequency and duration of participants’ mindfulness meditation practice, and assessed changes in their perceived stress, self-compassion and compassion levels, as well as personal and professional attitudes and behaviours.Results

47 participants were recruited to the study. 50% of participants were practising mindfulness meditation at least weekly by the end of the 8-week program, and 32% reported practising at least weekly 4 months following completion of the intervention. There was a statistically significant reduction in participants’ perceived stress levels and a significant increase in self-compassion at 4-month follow-up. Participants reported insights about the personal and professional impact of mindfulness meditation training as well as barriers to practice.Conclusions

The results provide preliminary evidence that online training in mindfulness meditation can be associated with reduced stress and increased self-compassion in rural medical students. More rigorous research is required to establish concrete measures of feasibility of a mindfulness meditation program.
Effect of advanced simulation training with digital feedback on dental faculty’s competency in tooth preparation: A pre-post design
Authors: Xu Xiaoxiang , Xie Qiufei , Zhou Yongsheng , Wu Lei , Cao Ye 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background： Crown preparation is one of the most essential techniques in dentistry and represents a very important topic in preclinical dental education. It is obligatory for prosthodontic faculty to master this technique and demonstrate it during live operation for preclinical simulation training. Standardized tooth preparation training in simulated environment should be provided for preclinical instructors to improve their teaching performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of advanced simulation training with digital feedback on dental faculty’s competency in tooth preparation.

Methods： Fifty prosthodontic faculty from 49 dental schools in China participated in this training program. Prior to the training course, all trainees were required to prepare the maxillary right central incisor (11#) for a ceramo-metal crown and the mandibular left first molar (36#) for a metal crown with the standard typodont tooth. Training started with the same preparations using on-site simulation facilities with 30 minutes provided for each preparation. These were graded by a digital evaluation system and adopted as pre-training competency. Then, a didactic instruction and a live demonstration about standardized tooth preparation was delivered by a senior fixed prosthodontic specialist. This was followed by three rounds of practice. All the preparations were digitally evaluated and feedback was provided to the corresponding operators. Finally, a summative examination was conducted, and the final preparations were digitally graded as post-training competency.

Results： Total scores of 11# and 36# preparations in the final test were significantly increased compared to the pre-training scores. Marks deducted for amount of reduction and margin line of prepared 11# and 36#, and taper of prepared 36#, were significantly decreased compared to that before training.

Conclusions： Advanced simulation training can effectively enhance the faculty’s competency in tooth preparation. Such training may be provided in the prosthodontic faculty development program to improve their tooth preparation competence before they begin preclinical teaching.
Comparing Empathy in Medical Students of two Portuguese Medicine Schools
Authors: Coutinho Mona Lisa , Silva Inês Rosendo , Neto Isabel , Maurício Kati , Simões José Augusto , Santiago Luiz Miguel 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Objectives

To evaluate differences in empathy between the Integrated Master’s degree in Medicine (MIM) students from the Faculty of Medicine - University of Coimbra (FMUC) and the Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Beira Interior (FCS-UBI).Methodology

Cross-sectional observational study with the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy – students’ Portuguese version (JSPE – spv) to 1st, 3rd and 6th year students of the 2017/2018 academic year with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (p<0.05).Results

Size representative sample of 795 students. Higher total empathy score (TES) (p=0.008) and "Perspective taking" (p=0.001) in FCS-UBI were found. JSPE-TES was higher in FCS-UBI, 3rd year (p=0.038). Higher FCS-UBI "Perspective taking" in the 1st year (p=0.030) and 6th year (p=0.044), for "Compassionate care" in the 3rd (p=0.019) and for "Standing in the patient’s shoes" in the 1st year (p=0.018) and in FMUC for "Compassionate care" in the 1st year (p=0.037) and the "Standing in the patient’s shoes" in the 3rd year (p=0.002) were found. Higher levels of empathy were found in FCS-UBI female students, for JSPE-TES (p=0.045) and "Perspective taking" (p=0.001).Conclusion

Higher empathy levels in FCS-UBI were found, with different results in the third year suggesting influence of the medical course teaching characteristics.
Spatial analysis of confirmed Lassa fever cases in Edo State, Nigeria, 2008 – 2014
Authors: Owoicho Samuel Amifofum , Awosanya Emmanuel , Fadugba Dorcas , Balogun Muhammed Shakir , Nguku Patrick , Ajisegiri Simon , Eugene Odigie , Olugasa Babasola 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Spatial analysis of confirmed Lassa fever cases in Edo State, Nigeria, 2008 – 2014 S. Owoicho 1 , E. Awosanya 2 , D. Fadugba 2 , M. S. Balogun 1 ,P. Nguku 1 , W. S. Ajisegiri 1 , O. Eugene 2 , B. Olugasa 2 1 Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria; 2 Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria . Background: Lassa fever (LF) is endemic and poses public health threats in Edo State. Identification of primary clusters will help prioritize public health interventions in the state. We investigated retrospective cases of LF to identify primary cluster of the disease for household exposure management. Method: We reviewed retrospective data (n = 1400) of LF case-patients at a referral hospital in Edo State from 2008 to 2014 based on World Health Organization case definition for LF. We determined primary cluster of confirmed cases on Bernoulli model and evaluated environmental factors in the primary cluster: presence of rodent deterrents, proximity of households at 2 km radius to rice farm, rice post-harvest storage facility, refuse dump, forest, hospital and main road using Multi-criteria analysis at p < 0.05. Results : Of the reviewed cases, 171 (12.2%) were confirmed case-patients. The median age of confirmed case-patients was 30 years (IQR: 27.5). Of the confirmed case-patients, 101 (59.1%) were male. A primary spatial cluster (4.45 km radius; geographic centre at 6.717900 o N, 6.243500 o E) was identified in Esan West LGA. Associated environmental factors included presence of rodent deterrents (p < 0.001), proximities of households to refuse dump (p < 0.001), rice post-harvest storage facility (p = 0.01) and rice farm (p = 0.03). Conclusion : Esan West LGA was identified as a primary cluster for Lassa fever. Presence of rodent deterrents, household proximity to refuse dump sites, rice storage facilities and rice farms were associated environmental factors. We recommend improved rice post-harvest storage and use of rodent deterrents in Edo State, Nigeria.
The independent effects of nausea and vomiting and social support on health-related quality of life during early pregnancy: A longitudinal study
Authors: Hirose Masami , Tamakoshi Koji , Takahashi Yuki , Mizuno Taeko , Yamada Akiko , Kato Noriko 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Previous studies that have examined the impact of nausea and vomiting (NV) on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) among early pregnant women have collected data at a single time point, with the timing varying among studies, and even, in one study, among subjects. No previous study has examined the independent association NV and social support have with HR-QOL.

We conducted a longitudinal study from August 2018 to February 2019 to investigate the independent association NV and social support have with HR-QOL among early pregnant women using repeated-measurement data. Subjects were 153 pregnant women who were 20 years of age or older and at less than 20 weeks of gestation at their first prenatal visit. They were recruited from a perinatal outpatient unit of a general hospital.

Methods: Along with providing sociodemographic data, subjects were asked to complete three self-administered questionnaires: the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR); the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS); and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Further, at every subsequent visit up to 20 weeks of gestation, they were asked to complete both the SF-12 and the INVR (giving a maximum of three survey completions).

Results: After controlling for internal correlations and confounding factors using a mixed model for longitudinal data, the INVR score was found to be significantly negatively associated with the physical component summary scale score of the SF-12; however, the MSPSS score showed no association with the physical component summary scale score. On the other hand, both the INVR score and the MSPSS score were negatively and positively, respectively, significantly associated with the mental component summary scale score of the SF-12, independently of each other.

Conclusions: The severity of NV significantly impacts physical quality of life during early pregnancy, but social support has no such impact. However, NV and social support independently and significantly affect mental quality of life, independently of each other. Health professionals should recognize the significant impact of NV on HR-QOL. Additionally, they should be aware that social support contributes to the improvement of mental quality of life, regardless of the degree of NV.
Transgenic aspens (Populus tremula) with the xyloglucanase gene from Penicillium canescens keep faster growth under semi-natural conditions
Authors: Vidyagina Elena O. , Subbotina Natalia M. , Belyi Vladimir A. , Lebedev Vadim G. , Krutovsky Konstantin V. , Shestibratov Konstantin A. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background Recombinant carbohydrases genes are used to produce transgenic woody plants with improved phenotypic traits. However, cultivation of such plants in open field is challenged by a number of problems. Therefore, additional research is needed to alleviate them. Results Results of successful cultivation of the transgenic aspens (Populus tremula) carrying the recombinant xyloglucanase gene (sp-Xeg) from Penicillium canescens in semi-natural conditions are reported in this paper for the first time. Change of carbohydrate composition of wood was observed in transgenic aspens carrying the sp-Xeg gene. The transformed transgenic line PtXVXeg1b demonstrated accelerated growth and increased content of cellulose in wood of trees growing in both greenhouse and outside in comparison with the control untransformed line Pt. The accelerated growth was observed also in the transgenic line PtXIVXeg1c. Thicker cell-wall and longer xylem fiber were also observed in both these transgenic lines. Undescribed earlier considerable reduction in the wood decomposition rate of the transgenic aspen stems was also revealed for the transformed transgenic lines. The decomposition rate was approximately twice as lower for the transgenic line PtXVXeg3b in comparison with the control untransformedline Pt. Conclusion Our results showed that the plants carrying the recombinant sp-Xeg gene do not demonstrate a decrease in growth parameters in semi-natural conditions. However, in some transgenic lines, a change in the carbohydrate composition of the wood, an increase in the cell wall thickness and a decrease in the rate of decomposition of wood are observed.