bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medicinal plants used in Gabon for prophylaxis and treatment against COVID-19-related symptoms: an ethnobotanical survey
Authors: Boukandou Mounanga Marlaine Michel , Mezui Annais , Mewono Ludovic , Mogangué Jean Bertrand , Aboughe Angone Sophie 
Published: July 2024

Background: Gabon faced COVID-19 with more than 49,000 individuals tested positive and 307 recorded fatalities since the first reported case in 2020. A popular hypothesis is that the low rate of cases and deaths in the country was attributed to the use of medicinal plants in prevention and treatment. This study aimed to document the plants used for remedial and preventive therapies by the Gabonese population during the COVID-19 pandemic and to pinpoint specific potential plant species that merit further investigation.Methods: An ethnobotanical survey involving 97 participants was conducted in Libreville. Traditional healers and medicinal plant vendors were interviewed orally using a semi-structured questionnaire sheet, while the general population responded to an online questionnaire format. Various quantitative indexes were calculated from the collected data and included the relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF), relative importance (RI), and popular therapeutic use value (POPUT). One-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test were used for statistical analyses. p-values ≤0.05 were considered significant.Results: The survey identified 63 plant species belonging to 35 families. Prevalent symptoms treated included fever (18%), cough (16%), fatigue (13%), and cold (12%). The demographic data highlighted that 52.58% of male subjects (p &gt; 0.94) aged 31–44 years were enrolled in the survey, of which 48.45% (p &lt; 0.0001) and 74.73% (p &lt; 0.99) of informants had university-level education. In addition, the results indicated that a total of 66% of the informants used medicinal plants for prophylaxis (34%), for both prevention and treatment (26%), exclusively for treatment (3%), and only for prevention (3%) while suffering from COVID-19, against 34% of the participants who did not use plants for prevention or treatment. Annickia chlorantha, Citrus sp., Alstonia congensis, Zingiber officinale, and Carica papaya emerged as the most commonly cited plants with the highest RFC (0.15–0.26), UV (0.47–0.75), and RI (35.72–45.46) values. Most of these plants were used either individually or in combination with others.Conclusion: The survey reinforces the use of traditional medicine as a method to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms, thereby advocating for the utilization of medicinal plants in managing coronavirus infections.
A lower gender equality consciousness in rural and left-behind children: a latent class analysis
Authors: Li Yifei , Zhang Jingping , Zhang Jie , Li Juan , Chen Yiping , Zuo Man 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveSchool age is a critical period for the development of individual gender equality consciousness. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential classes of school-age children’s gender equality consciousness, influencing factors and their differences in gender role, thus providing targeted guidance for the formulation and implementation of gender equality education strategies.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1846 school-age children using the demographic information questionnaire, gender equality consciousness questionnaire and Bem Sex Role Inventory. A latent class analysis was performed to explore gender equality consciousness latent classes. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of class membership, and chi-square test was used to compare the gender role of each latent class.ResultsThe average age of the included 1846 participants was 10.10 ± 1.82 years old. The proportion of boy, grade 6 and living in urban area, respectively, were 50.8, 25.3, and 60.2%. The only children was 16.3% and left-behind children was 22.5%. 60.5% of all children thought their parents had a good relationship. The core family structure in all participants was 54.1%. Mothers were the caregivers of most children (63.6%). The same-sex friends more than 3 was 73.5%, while opposite-sex friends ranged from 0 to 1 was 41.7%. Three latent classes were identified and labeled “high gender equality consciousness” class (20.6%), “moderate gender equality consciousness” class (42.3%) and “low high gender equality consciousness” class (37.1%). Factors affecting the different types of school-age children’s gender equality consciousness include gender, grade, caregiver, place of residence, whether they are left-behind children and parental relationship. Rural and left-behind children are more likely to enter the “low gender equality consciousness” group. Children in the “low gender equality consciousness” group had a lower proportion of androgynous gender role.ConclusionRural children and left-behind children are the priority groups for gender equality education. Gender role is the important predictors and intervention targets of children’s gender equality consciousness. Educators or policy makers can formulate targeted intervention measures according to the influencing factors of potential classes.
How does parental rearing patterns of children in upper primary school impact social withdrawal? A mediating effect of emotional regulation
Authors: Yu Tao , Ma Zhengyu , Zhang Yu 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionThe present study endeavors to elucidate the impact of emotional regulation and parental rearing patterns on the social development of children in the upper grades of primary school. A burgeoning body of literature suggests that these factors significantly influence children’s social adaptation and emotional well-being, yet a comprehensive examination of these relationships is warranted.MethodsEmploying a cross-sectional design, this investigation utilized the Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran (EMBU), Emotional Regulation Questionnaire for Children (ERQC), and Child Behavioural Issues Scale (CBCL) to assess a sample of 276 pupils across grades 4–6. The selection of these instruments allowed for a multifaceted evaluation of the constructs of interest.ResultsA pronounced disparity in parental rearing practices, emotional regulation capabilities, and levels of social withdrawal was observed among the different grades, with grade 5 exhibiting the most pronounced effects. Parental emotional warmth demonstrated a significant positive correlation with children’s emotional regulation abilities, while punitive, rejecting, and preferential behaviors were inversely correlated. The study established that parental rearing practices indirectly influence social withdrawal through the mediating role of children’s emotional regulation, underscoring the complexity of this relationship.ConclusionThe results underscore the salient role of parental rearing and emotional regulation in the social development of children. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms through which parenting styles and emotional competencies interplay to affect social withdrawal. Implications for educational practices and future research directions are discussed.
Longitudinal effects of basic psychological need support on the development of intrinsic motivation and perceived competence in physical education. A multilevel study
Authors: Kruse Felix , Büchel Sonja , Brühwiler Christian 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundGrounded in self-determination theory, this article deals with a multidimensional measurement of the support of the basic psychological needs and the individual and combined effects on the development of intrinsic motivation and perceived competence in physical education. In addition to the supportive teacher behaviors of autonomy support, competence support and relatedness support, peer relatedness support is examined as an additional factor.MethodsA total of 1,047 students from 72 classes from various German-speaking Swiss cantons took part in the study. The hypothesized four factorial structure was analyzed using multilevel confirmatory factor analyses. Longitudinal measurement invariance testing of intrinsic motivation and perceived competence indicates scalar measurement invariance. Multilevel regression analyses were specified to analysis the longitudinal effects on the development of intrinsic motivation and perceived competence, whereby both the effects of the individual factors as well as the adjusted effects under the inclusion of all predictors were examined.ResultsResults of multilevel confirmatory factor analysis indicate that the hypothesized four-factor model (e.g., CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.04; SRMR between = 0.11) is to be favored over alternative models at both levels. Regarding the prediction of the development of intrinsic motivation and perceived competence our study underlines the predictive value of basic psychological need support. The models that examine the effects of the individual predictors indicate that the effects are largely consistent with expectations at both the class and individual level. At class level, however, autonomy support appears to be no significant predictor for the development of intrinsic motivation (p &lt; 0.10), but for perceived competence (p &lt; 0.05). Peer relatedness support is a significant predictor for both outcome variables at both levels of analysis. Regarding the simultaneous integration of all predictors, only the effects of peer relatedness support remain significant for both outcome variables.DiscussionThe empirical support of the multidimensionality of the instrument is particularly interesting in the context of the common conceptualization of a unidimensional measurement of autonomy support or a composite factor of psychological need support, whereby only few studies have adequately tested the factorial validity. Although significant effects of supportive teacher behaviors can be demonstrated in the multilevel regression analyses, it is also indicated that the different dimensions lack of incremental predictive validity. Particularly noteworthy is the rarely investigated role of peer relatedness support, which has been shown to be a meaningful predictor, even when supportive teacher behaviors are taken into account.
Cognitive performance’s critical role in the progression from educational attainment to moderate to vigorous physical activity: insights from a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Qi Fang , Jinmin Zhang 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionIn individuals with high educational levels, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is often elevated, yet the causal direction and the role of cognitive performance in this association remain ambiguous. Herein, Mendel randomization (MR) was employed to measure the causal relationship between education, cognitive performance, and moderate to vigorous physical activity. The purpose of this study was to analyze the causal effects of educational attainment on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels and to explore potential mediating factors.MethodsTwo-sample univariate MR analysis was conducted to assess the overall effect of education on moderate to severe physical activity. Besides, a two-step MR analysis was carried out to evaluate the mediating effect of cognitive performance on the impact of education on moderate to severe physical activity. Individuals included were exclusively of European ancestry, with data gathered from extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on education (n = 470,941), cognitive performance (n = 257,841), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (n = 377,234). Educational attainment was measured by college graduation status. Cognitive performance encompasses not only psycho-motor speed, memory, and abstract reasoning abilities but also knowledge and skills acquired in professional domains. MVPA is defined as any physical activity that produces a metabolic equivalent (MET) of ≥3.0.ResultsThe positive two-sample MR analysis showed that education level had a significant protective effect on MVPA deficiency (β = −0.276, 95% CI = −0.354 to −0.199, p = 2.866 × 10−12). However, the reverse two-sample MR analysis showed that MVPA had no significant causal relationship with education level (p = 0.165). Subsequently, the two-step MR analysis indicated that the potential causal protective effect of education on the risk of MVPA deficiency was mostly mediated by cognitive performance (mediating effect β = −0.235, 95% CI = −0.434 to −0.036, and the intermediary ratio was 85.061%).DiscussionCognitive performance holds considerable significance in the relationship between education level and MVPA. Consequently, the intervention of cognitive performance may greatly improve the risk of physical inactivity caused by education, thereby promoting individual health.
Has learning gone to waste?—Health-promoting behaviors of seniors
Authors: Dąbek Józefa , Szynal Magdalena , Sierka Oskar , Łebek Ewelina , Kulik Halina 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveRegardless of the fact that Universities of Third Age (UTA's) are becoming more and more popular among seniors there are not many available studies examining the impact of conducted educational activities on seniors' adherence to health-promoting activities. The aim of the study was to compare health behaviors (e.g.,: physical activity, eating habits, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, preventive tests performance) between seniors attending and not attending UTA's classes.MethodsThe study involved 631 (100%) seniors aged 60–92 years (x =70.28 ± 6.09 years). The majority of the study group were women (475; 75.28%). To conduct the study, a proprietary questionnaire was used, consisting of questions regarding the discussed topic and basic questions including: age, gender, place of residence and education. Polish versions of standardized questionnaire—“My eating behaviors” examine eating behaviors of the respondents. The Chi2 test was used for qualitative data, and for quantitative data—the Mann-Whitney U test (No normal distribution: T S-W &lt; 0.001). Linear and logistic regression models were used to check whether the associations would remain after adjustments for potential cofounders. The level of statistical significance was set at α &lt; 0.05.ResultsNumber of seniors participating in UTA's activities was higher in terms of engaging in: actively spending free time (261; 73.73% vs. 93; 26.27%; p &lt; 0.001), regular physical activity (270; 76.27% vs. 133; 48.01%; p &lt; 0.001), self-assessment of physical activity (259; 73.16% vs. 95; 26.84%; p = 0.004), duration of physical activity (&lt; 0.001), past tobacco smoking (133; 37.57 vs. 76; 27.44%; p = 0.007) and alcohol consumption depending on the habit frequency (p &lt; 0.001). Number of seniors not participating in UTA's classes was lower in terms of: regular annual dental controls (161; 58.12%; vs. 265; 74.86%; p &lt; 0.001), regular self-examination of breasts/testicles (148; 53.43% vs. 218; 61.58%; p = 0.04) and regular laboratory tests (232; 83.75% vs. 318; 89.83%; p = 0.02).ConclusionsHealth-promoting behaviors of seniors attending classes at the UTA's were more correct in terms of physical activity, adequate attendance with preventive test and worst in terms of alcohol consumption. Overall picture allows to conclude that participation in UTA's classes seems to have a positive impact on the examined health-promoting behaviors of the surveyed seniors.
Promoting the development of ethnic medicine in China: policy evaluation and optimization countermeasures
Authors: Lan Yafei , Zhang Junlin , Jiao Zufang , Mao Ningying 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundThe coordinated development of ethnic medicine is a basic necessity for steady construction of a healthy China. This process includes closely following domestic and foreign policies, including changes, through the optimization of policies; shaping the new direction of the development of national medicine; and achieving comprehensive technological and industrial upgrades. As such, ensuring the all-round development of national medicine in China remains a great challenge.MethodsThis paper takes the relevant policies of national and local ethnic medicine issued by the government as the research object, and, through the full interpretation of the policy-issuing body, policy content, and policy effectiveness, deeply analyzes the current situation of the policy’s role in ethnic medicine and explores the distribution of policy types, subject-cooperation modes, and scoring levels in various dimensions.ResultsThis study found that, in the new era of pharmaceutical reform, the State lacks a variety of special policies on ethnomedicine, and there is also an imbalance in the use of policy tools at both the central and local levels as well as synergies in the implementation of policies that need to be further strengthened.DiscussionThere remains a need to continue to improve the policy-evaluation system, optimize the structure for the use of policy tools, and improve the rates of application and implementation of the national medicine policy by strengthening cross-provincial and multisectoral cooperation to promote the revitalization of the national medicine industry in China.
ChatGPT yields low accuracy in determining LI-RADS scores based on free-text and structured radiology reports in German language
Authors: Fervers Philipp , Hahnfeldt Robert , Kottlors Jonathan , Wagner Anton , Maintz David , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Lennartz Simon , Persigehl Thorsten 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundTo investigate the feasibility of the large language model (LLM) ChatGPT for classifying liver lesions according to the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) based on MRI reports, and to compare classification performance on structured vs. unstructured reports.MethodsLI-RADS classifiable liver lesions were included from German written structured and unstructured MRI reports with report of size, location, and arterial phase contrast enhancement as minimum inclusion requirements. The findings sections of the reports were propagated to ChatGPT (GPT-3.5), which was instructed to determine LI-RADS scores for each classifiable liver lesion. Ground truth was established by two radiologists in consensus. Agreement between ground truth and ChatGPT was assessed with Cohen's kappa. Test-retest reliability was assessed by passing a subset of n = 50 lesions five times to ChatGPT, using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results205 MRIs from 150 patients were included. The accuracy of ChatGPT at determining LI-RADS categories was poor (53% and 44% on unstructured and structured reports). The agreement to the ground truth was higher (k = 0.51 and k = 0.44), the mean absolute error in LI-RADS scores was lower (0.5 ± 0.5 vs. 0.6 ± 0.7, p &lt; 0.05), and the test-retest reliability was higher (ICC = 0.81 vs. 0.50), in free-text compared to structured reports, respectively, although structured reports comprised the minimum required imaging features significantly more frequently (Chi-square test, p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsChatGPT attained only low accuracy when asked to determine LI-RADS scores from liver imaging reports. The superior accuracy and consistency throughout free-text reports might relate to ChatGPT's training process.Clinical relevance statementOur study indicates both the necessity of optimization of LLMs for structured clinical data input and the potential of LLMs for creating machine-readable labels based on large free-text radiological databases.
Changes in isometric mid-thigh pull peak force and symmetry across anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation phases
Authors: Stofberg Johannes P. J. , Aginsky Kerith , van Aswegen Mariaan , Kramer Mark 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundWhether functionally relevant strength assessments, such as the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), can be used either bilaterally or unilaterally to evaluate and guide rehabilitation progress in those with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is under-researched. This study assessed changes in peak force (PF) and asymmetry across 3 phases for bilateral and unilateral IMTP assessments in patients with ACLR. Peak isometric force from the IMTP was compared to peak torque from isokinetic dynamometry as well as against a cohort of healthy, uninjured individuals.MethodParticipants (ACLR, n = 15) completed bilateral and unilateral IMTP assessments at weeks 12 (baseline), 16 (phase 3), and 20 (phase 4) of rehabilitation to evaluate changes in PF and asymmetry. Asymmetry was evaluated using the asymmetry angle. Isometric data from the IMTP were compared to that from an isokinetic dynamometer as well as against a cohort of healthy, uninjured participants (n = 63) allowing for a detailed analysis of limb-specific force production.ResultsThe PF during the bilateral IMTP increased for both the injured (0.94 N/kg) and uninjured (0.26 N/kg) limbs from baseline to phase 4, whereas the PF of the injured limb increased by 1.5 N/kg during the unilateral IMTP in the same time frame. Asymmetry values systematically reduced by ∼1% and ∼0.5% for the bilateral and unilateral IMTP tests from baseline to phase 4. Significant differences in PF of the injured limb were evident between those with ACLR and healthy controls across all phases (p = 0.022–0.001). The rate of progression in PF capacity was dependent on test type, amounting to 0.1 and 0.2 body weights per week for the bilateral and unilateral IMTP respectively. Small-to-large correlations (r = 0.12–0.88) were evident between IMTP PF and peak torque from the isokinetic dynamometer as well as between asymmetry metrics from both tests.ConclusionThe findings suggest that IMTP PF has potential for monitoring changes in PF and asymmetry during the ACLR rehabilitation progress. Both injured limb and uninjured limb show improvement in force-generating capacity, implying a positive adaptation to rehabilitation protocols. The findings highlight that ACLR is a unilateral injury that requires bilateral rehabilitation.