bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progression of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease correlates with uric acid concentration
Authors: Zhai Rui-Xue , Yu Hui , Ma Han , Liu Ting-Ting , Zhong Ping 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThis study assessed the relationship between the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with cognitive impairment and changes in serum uric acid (UA) and homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations and explored the factors influencing PD with cognitive impairment.MethodsThe study randomly selected 74 patients with PD and evaluated their cognitive function using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). Patients with PD were divided into two subgroups: those with and without cognitive impairment. PD severity was evaluated and graded using the Hoehn and Yahr (H–Y) scale. Another 60 middle-aged and older individuals without PD during the same period were selected as a control group. Blood UA and Hcy concentrations in each group were measured to assess the relationship between PD, cognitive impairment, and changes in UA and Hcy concentrations.ResultsThe PD group with cognitive impairment had a lower UA concentration and higher Hcy concentration. The UA concentration was significantly higher in the early PD stages than in the middle and late stages (P&lt;0.05). A significant negative relationship between MoCA scores and serum UA levels was found in patients with PD, whereas a positive relationship existed between MoCA scores and serum Hcy concentrations. Regression analysis showed that a higher UA concentration was an independent protective factor for PD with cognitive impairment, while a higher Hcy concentration was a risk factor (P&lt;0.05). A serum UA concentration of 212.9 mmol/L and Hcy concentration of 13.35 mmol/L could distinguish between patients with PD with or without cognitive impairment with a sensitivity of 93.2% and specificity of 43.3%.ConclusionPD and cognitive impairment were associated with a decrease in UA concentration; the later the H–Y stage was, the lower the UA concentration was. The increase in Hcy concentration was related to PD and its cognitive impairment, whereas it is not significantly correlated with PD progression.
Rehmanniae Radix Preparata ameliorates behavioral deficits and hippocampal neurodevelopmental abnormalities in ADHD rat model
Authors: Sun Ruxin , Yuan Haixia , Wang Jing , Zhu Kanglin , Xiong Yu , Zheng Yabei , Ni Xinqiang , Huang Min 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivesAbnormal hippocampal neurodevelopment, particularly in the dentate gyrus region, may be a key mechanism of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we investigate the effect of the most commonly used Chinese herb for the treatment of ADHD, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (RRP), on behavior and hippocampal neurodevelopment in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).MethodsBehavior tests, including Morris water maze (MWM) test, open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) test were performed to assess the effect of RRP on hyperactive and impulsive behavior. Hippocampal neurodevelopment was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, Golgi staining and Nissl staining approaches. Regulatory proteins such as Trkb, CDK5, FGF2/FGFR1 were examined by Western blot analysis.ResultsThe results showed that RRP could effectively control the impulsive and spontaneous behavior and improve the spatial learning and memory ability. RRP significantly reduced neuronal loss and increased the number of hippocampal stem cells, and promoted synaptic plasticity. In addition, FGF/FGFR signaling was upregulated after RRP treatment.ConclusionRRP can effectively reduce impulsive and spontaneous behavior and ameliorate hippocampal neurodevelopmental abnormalities in ADHD rat model.
Befriending the body through clothes: the role of clothing in secular and religious women’s body appreciation
Authors: Stolovy Tali 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundWomen invest in their appearance through clothes, and the way they view their bodies translates into how they choose to dress. Nonetheless, body image research often overlooks the role of clothing in fostering body appreciation. This study examined the impact of a psychoeducational feministic course on the sociology and psychology of attire, on students’ clothing functions and body appreciation.MethodsThe participants were 114 female MA students (47 secular, 67 religious) between the ages of 24 and 64 who completed the Body Appreciation Scale and Function of Clothing scale at the beginning and end of the course.ResultsThe results support the contribution of the course to changes in participants’ clothing functions and improvement in their body appreciation F(1,96) = 32.33, p &lt; 0.001, partial Eta squared = 0.25. Surprisingly, religiousness had no impact on the results.DiscussionThis research contributes to the field of positive body image by presenting the potential role of clothing in fostering body appreciation among women. It demonstrates the benefits of investing in clothing that are less driven by external standards and more by the expression of valued aspects of the self.
Work-life balance and employee commitment: mediating effect of job satisfaction
Authors: Inegbedion Henry Egbezien 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionWork is very important to man and work experiences have implications on other aspects of human life. The major essence of work is to obtain resources to optimize other domains of life. This demands the need to strike a balance. Flowing from the positive and negative effect of the Spill over theory, the study investigated the influence of work-life balance (WLB) on employee job commitment using JS as the mediating variable.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design elicited the desired data from 344 employees in 4 Universities and 4 multinational companies. Path diagram analysis served as the data analysis technique.Results/discussionThe results show that all the family and religious lives have statistically significant negative influences on employee commitment (EMPC) while leisure and health have statistically significant positive influences on EMPC. The study thus, makes theoretical contributions.
Mental fatigue mediates the relationship between qi deficiency and academic performance among fifth-grade students aged 10–13 years
Authors: Wang Xinzhu , He Xinyu , Fu Kaixian 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundHealth has effects on children’s academic performance. Qi deficiency is generally used to assess an individual’s health in the Chinese traditional medicine theory. This study explores the effects of qi deficiency on children’s academic performance and examines whether mental fatigue mediates these effects.MethodsA total of 550 students aged 10–13 in fifth-grade were surveyed in a big primary school in Sichuan Province in November 2023 using paper-pencil-based questionnaires. Qi deficiency and mental fatigue were assessed, and exam scores in Chinese and Mathematics were recorded. Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analyses were used to test the mediation model and hypotheses.ResultsThe fifth-grade students had mild qi deficiency (M = 2.09) and a mild state of mental fatigue (M = 2.38) on a five-point Likert scale. The average exam scores in Mathematics and Chinese were 70.07 and 74.44 points out of 100, respectively. Qi deficiency was associated with Mathematics scores (r = −0.37, p &lt; 0.01) and Chinese scores (r = −0.30, p &lt; 0.01), and mental fatigue (r = 0.47, p &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, mental fatigue was associated with Mathematics scores (r = −0.46, p &lt; 0.01) and Chinese scores (r = −0.34, p &lt; 0.01). Linear regression analyses showed that qi deficiency significantly predicted Mathematics scores (β = −0.26, p &lt; 0.01), Chinese scores (β = −0.19, p &lt; 0.01), and mental fatigue (β = 0.41, p &lt; 0.01). When qi deficiency was controlled for, mental fatigue significantly predicted Mathematics scores (β = −0.28, p &lt; 0.01) and Chinese scores (β = −0.17, p &lt; 0.01).ConclusionThe mediation model and hypotheses were well supported, indicating that mental fatigue mediated the influence of qi deficiency on academic performance of fifth-grade students. Furthermore, the mediation effect of mental fatigue on Mathematics scores was a little stronger than that on Chinese scores.
Effect of long COVID-19 syndrome on health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rodrigues Arthur Nascimento , Paranhos Alna Carolina Mendes , da Silva Livia Caroline Machado , Xavier Stanley Soares , Silva Camilla Costa , da Silva Rosilene , de Vasconcelos Lidiane Assunção , Peixoto Ivonete Vieira Pereira , Panzetti Tatiana Menezes Noronha , Tavares Priscila Rodrigues , Reis Cíntia de Sousa , Launé Beatriz Freitas , Palácios Vera Regina da Cunha Menezes , Vasconcelos Pedro Fernando da Costa , Quaresma Juarez Antônio Simões , Falcão Luiz Fábio Magno 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the association of anxiety, headache, and insomnia on the QoL of patients with long COVID-19.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey between August 2020 and March 2023. A total of 200 participants were eligible, 53 were excluded and 147 patients with long COVID were included. QoL was evaluated across eight domains using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Standardized protocols including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (n = 103), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (n = 73), and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) (n = 67) were also used.ResultsParticipants with sleep disorders had significantly lower Vitality (p &lt; 0.001). Participants with anxiety disorders had significantly lower Vitality (p = 0.001), poorer Mental Health (p = 0.008), and more severe Bodily Pain (p = 0.008). Participants with headache had significantly lower Vitality (p = 0.032), poorer Mental Health (p = 0.036), and poorer Physical Functioning (p = 0.016). Participants with both headache and anxiety had significantly lower Vitality (p = 0.005) and Mental Health (p = 0.043) domain scores. Correlation analysis revealed that higher scores for anxiety, sleep disorder, and headache were independently correlated with poorer QoL across various domains. The presence of sleep disorder was associated with a fourfold increase in risk of experiencing diminished Vitality (odds ratio [OR]4.47; 95% CI 1.01–19.69; p = 0.048).ConclusionParticipants with anxiety, sleep, and headache disorders tended to have a worse QoL. The Vitality and Mental Health domains were the most adversely affected in patients with long COVID. Sleep disorders were associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of poor Vitality.
No evidence of structural abnormality of the substantia nigra in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot cross-sectional cohort study
Authors: Friedrich Isabel , von Kuenheim Daniela , Wozniak David , Meyer Patrick , Mauche Nicole , Huang Jue , Classen Joseph , Strauss Maria , Rumpf Jost-Julian 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundAbnormal expansion of the echogenic substantia nigra (SN+) is a common observation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and considered a potential trait marker within this context. However, SN+ was also frequently detected in children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where it has been discussed as a biomarker of maturational dopaminergic dysfunction. Interestingly, ADHD was recently linked to an elevated risk of PD in epidemiological studies, particularly among individuals treated with psychostimulants. Here, we investigated the potential of SN echogenicity as a disease biomarker in adults with ADHD and its relation to psychostimulant treatment.MethodsIn an exploratory cross-sectional cohort study, we performed transcranial sonography of the SN in 30 adults (mean age 33.3 ± 7.6 years, 19 males/11 females) diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-V criteria.Results and conclusionsIn this pilot study, we observed no evidence of structural abnormalities of the SN among adults diagnosed with ADHD, thus questioning the potential of SN+ as a biomarker for ADHD in this population. Moreover, we found no evidence of treatment-related SN echogenicity changes that would link therapeutic psychostimulant use to alterations in the structural integrity of the SN.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease related knowledge among a sample of Egyptians: an exploratory cross-sectional study
Authors: Hegazy Mona A. , Elshafei Arwa , Salem Marwa Rashad , Ashoush Omar , Abdelghani Ahmed 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThe global prevalence of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is about 25% worldwide making it an actual health disaster. This study aimed to assess non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related knowledge in a sample of Egyptians.Materials and methodsThis exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted on 3,124 individuals using 2000 online and 1,124 printed questionnaire forms. These questionnaires, covering sociodemographic characteristics and fatty liver-related knowledge, comprised 30 items. These items include ten questions on definition, symptoms, and complications: 14 about risk factors, and six about prevention and therapy. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Categorical variables were expressed in proportions and percentages. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied as appropriate. For quantitative variables, the t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and ANOVA test were used for comparisons.ResultsA total of 3,124 respondents were enrolled in the current study. More than half (57%) were females, and 25% ranged in age from 18 to 29. 10.8% of the participants believed that fatty liver patients were asymptomatic, and 34% knew that fatty liver disease was caused by fat accumulation. Regarding predisposing factors, hypercholesterolemia, increased fat in the diet, and obesity had the highest proportion of accurate responses (60, 54, and 46.6%, respectively). On the other hand, 89.3% believed it could be prevented, and 81.4% of the respondents knew that weight reduction could prevent the condition. All respondents (100%) stated wrongly that it was a familial disease related to aging, and most participants (97.3%) did not believe that fatty liver could be treated. Females demonstrated a significantly higher score in preventive measures, while the employed participants scored significantly higher in general knowledge of fatty liver, risk factors, and preventive measures.ConclusionDespite the increasing NAFLD prevalence, the current study indicated that Egyptians had fair to moderate knowledge about fatty liver and its risk factors, preventive measures, and therapy. However, a false belief was documented by all respondents that it is a disease that runs in families and occurs only in old age. A fundamental shift in healthcare management with a prioritization of prevention, proactive measures, and early detection of NAFLD should be emphasized.
Road traffic accidents and the contributing factors among drivers of public transportation in Mizan Aman town, Ethiopia: a Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Endalew Mesenbet Muluken , Gibo Abraham Assefa , Belay Mekdes Mekonen , Zegeye Mesfin Yimam , Ango Tadele Shiwito , Ketema Astatke Sisay 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundTraffic accidents on the road is an accident is a terrible accident that causes death, injury, and property damage. However, limited studies were addressed to investigate the prevalence of traffic accidents on the road and the contributing factors among drivers that help in developing strategies to cop-up the incidence within the research domain in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of road traffic accidents and the contributing factors among drivers of public transportation in Mizan Aman town, Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional survey was employed among 376 drivers of public transportation. Every research subject was selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Semi-structured and open-ended questionnaires which comprised demographic characteristics, risky personal behaviors and lifestyles, driver’s factors, vehicle condition, and environmental conditions were used to gather data. And then after, data was collected through interviewer-administered using KoBo Collect tools. Completed data were edited and cleaned in the Kobo collect toolbox and then exported for additional analysis to a statistical tool for social science statistics version 26. The descriptive statistics were displayed as figures, tables, and texts. Binary logistic regression was analyzed to identify the contributing factors. Statistically significant was decided with a p-value of ≤ 0.05.ResultsThe results showed that the prevalence of road traffic accidents among drivers of public transportation in Mizan Aman town was 17%. The study identified factors influencing traffic accidents on the roads including marital status (being single), employee condition (permanent), monthly income (1001-2500 Ethiopia Birr), alcohol use, vehicle maintenance (not), road type (non-asphalt), and weather conditions (being windy).ConclusionThe overall prevalence of road traffic accidents among drivers of public transportation in Mizan Aman town was relatively low. Despite this, sociodemographic characteristics, driver factors, vehicle conditions, and environmental conditions [road type and weather conditions] were the predicting factors of traffic accidents in town. Therefore, reduction strategies should be the highest priority duty for concerned bodies like Mizan Aman town road and transport office, Bench Sheko zone transport and logistics office, and Southwest Ethiopia People Regional State (SWEPRS) transport bureau in the study area.
Long-acting prescriptions and therapy for HIV-1 from market launch to the present in Germany (May 2021 to December 2023)
Authors: Schmidt Daniel , Kollan Christian , Stoll Matthias 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundIn Europe, the combination of cabotegravir (CAB) with rilpivirine (RPV) has been approved as a dual injection long-acting (LA) therapy for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections in adults since December 2020. Studies have shown that between 36 and 61% of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) prefer LA therapy. However, there are no real-world data on the number of people receiving LA therapy, in Germany or internationally. The aim of this study was to assess the current situation and trends in usage of LA therapy for the treatment of HIV-1 in Germany.MethodsBased on pharmacy prescription data derived from Insight Health, the monthly number of prescriptions for oral CAB, CAB-LA, and RPV-LA over the entire period of availability in Germany was analyzed and evaluated (May 2021 to December 2023). The number of 1st and 2nd initiation injections and subsequent maintenance injections was calculated on the basis of the prescriptions for oral CAB initiation.ResultsThe bimonthly schedule resulted in two growing cohorts from September 2021 with an estimated 14,523 CAB-LA prescriptions over the entire period. Accordingly, in December 2023, there were approximately 1,364 PLWHIV receiving LA therapy, of whom 1,318 were receiving maintenance therapy. Only treatments with bimonthly regimens were carried out. Accounting for people not covered by statutory health insurance (~13%), a total of ~1,600 PLWHIV were receiving LA therapy in Germany in December 2023. The average rounded annual cost of therapy in 2023 was €11,940 (maintenance therapy with initiation) and €10,950 (maintenance therapy without initiation).ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study of real-world use and number of people receiving LA therapy. A strength of our study is the nearly complete coverage of people with statutory health insurance in Germany. The predicted demand for LA therapy does not match the actual number of people receiving LA therapy. Although the number of PLWHIV receiving LA therapy increased steadily, they accounted for just under 2% of the estimated total number of people receiving HIV therapy in Germany in 2023, almost 2 years after the market launch. No significant increase in prescriptions is expected; on the contrary, the trend is leveling off and is unlikely to change drastically in the near future. Hence, the need for this mode of therapy in Germany appears to be limited. Follow-up studies at regular intervals on the further course would be useful and are recommended, as well as investigations into the possible reasons for the slow uptake to inform public health experts and possibly broaden treatment options.
Supporting health and wellbeing in health care employees: a documentary review of organizational policies, strategies and frameworks
Authors: Hoyle Louise Patricia , Ryde Gemma Cathrine , Coulter Jamie , Rollason Jennie 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundHealth care workers are crucial for a productive and thriving health care system, yet the health and lifestyle behaviour of key groups within this workforce (for example nurses and healthcare assistants/support workers) is typically poor. The extent of health and wellbeing documents that guide action towards improving their health and wellbeing is unknown. Using one health care system, NHS Scotland, as an example, the aim of this study was to assess the number of NHS health boards with workplace documents focused on health and wellbeing of employees, the quality of these documents and the extent to which they reference lifestyle behaviours, namely physical activity.MethodsDocumentary analysis was undertaken on employee health and wellbeing policies (and wider documents). These were sourced through online searches on Google search engine and Freedom of Information Requests sent to all 14 Scottish NHS Health Boards. Titles and content were assessed for relevance to employee health and wellbeing. Content analysis was used to analyse the included documents against eight predefined codes.ResultsThirteen documents were retrieved with 11 of the 14 Health Boards having at least one relevant document. The content varied greatly between documents with regards to how many reported the eight codes and the quality of content within these. Nine documents mentioned physical activity but mainly in relation to current activities rather than in the context of a future healthy workforce.ConclusionsDespite the importance of a healthy, health care workforce, more work is needed to ensure high level documents are able to support these efforts, especially with reference to lifestyle behaviours.