Background: Research exploring the influence of glaucoma on quality of life has gained momentum in recent years. Numerous studies have investigated the multifaceted aspects of quality of life in glaucoma patients, uti...Background: Research exploring the influence of glaucoma on quality of life has gained momentum in recent years. Numerous studies have investigated the multifaceted aspects of quality of life in glaucoma patients, utilizing various assessment tools and methodologies. Objective: To determine the influence that glaucoma has on the quality of life among adult patients. Study site: kitwe teaching eye hospital, Zambia. Method: It was a cross-sectional study that was conducted from 30<sup>th</sup> June 2022 to 17<sup>th</sup> April 2023. The study included 106 diagnosed glaucoma patients who were above the age of 55 years. Data was collected using validated 25-item national eye institute visual function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Microsoft excel to present frequencies and percentages that generated graphical presentation. Results: 62% of the participants worry about their eye sight most of the time, 26% sometimes and 12% a little time. 9% of the participants had little difficulty to read ordinary prints, 14% moderate difficulties and 58% extremely difficult. 40% of the participants could drive despite glaucoma damaging their eyes while 60% could not. Majority of the patients said it was difficult noticing things around them while walking or sitted in one place. There was a significant difference between effects of glaucoma on patients and the existing relationship between glaucoma and quality of life (ANOVA, p = 0.019 and ANOVA, p = 0.023). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the magnitude of impact that glaucoma has on the Quality of Life (QoL) in diagnosed patients and the relationship between glaucoma and the Quality of Life. Due to the progressive visual loss, the amount of activities these patients would perform is negatively affected especially where social and economic activities are concerned which also affects their monthly earnings for those living in middle to low-income countries. Therefore, social welfare and psycho-social institutions need to increase their support for these glaucoma patients.展开更多
Context: Kidney transplantation is today the standard treatment for patients suffering from chronic end-stage renal failure. Living kidney donation offers many advantages for the recipient, but requires a subject with...Context: Kidney transplantation is today the standard treatment for patients suffering from chronic end-stage renal failure. Living kidney donation offers many advantages for the recipient, but requires a subject without comorbidities to undergo surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and psychosocial experience of living kidney donors after donation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with an analytical aim, involving living kidney donors during the period from January 2016 to April 2019 at CHUGA. (University Hospital Center of Grenoble Alpes in France). Results: Our study shows that out of 88 donors, 70 responded to our questionnaires, representing a prevalence of 80.5%. The average age of our donors was 55.6 years with a female predominance. Seven out of eight domains of the SF36 score had a good quality of life after donation and the donation did not alter their psychosocial experience. The majority of our donors expressed their pride and enthusiasm, did not regret having saved a life, and this experience was considered positive. Conclusion: Kidney donation does not have a negative impact on quality of life and psychosocial life. The majority of donors do not regret their donation. The dissemination of such results could make it possible to increase the number of kidney transplants from living donors in France, especially in our African countries where the management of ESRD remains a real public health problem.展开更多
Objective: To analyze the impact of combined Watson care theory intervention on the psychological state and quality of life in patients with terminal lung cancer. Methods: 72 patients with terminal lung cancer admitte...Objective: To analyze the impact of combined Watson care theory intervention on the psychological state and quality of life in patients with terminal lung cancer. Methods: 72 patients with terminal lung cancer admitted from March 2021 to January 2024 were selected, which were divided into research group (life review combined with Watson care theory intervention) and control group (conventional intervention), with 36 cases each. Compare the nursing effect between the two groups. Results: The anxiety self-rating scale (SAS) and depression self-rating scale (SDS) scores were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the quality of life score was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Life review combined with Watson care theory intervention can improve the psychological state and improve the quality of life of patients with terminal lung cancer.展开更多
Context/Objective: High blood pressure (HBP) currently represents the most widespread chronic non-communicable disease in Cameroon. The increase in its prevalence in the country is the result of multiple factors inclu...Context/Objective: High blood pressure (HBP) currently represents the most widespread chronic non-communicable disease in Cameroon. The increase in its prevalence in the country is the result of multiple factors including economic stress imposed by precariousness, poor living conditions, sources of anxiety, anguish, depression and other behavioral disorders. Economic stress is a globalizing concept that integrates into a purely hermeneutic approach, a particular functioning of the nervous system of an individual who faces employment problems and precarious remuneration conditions. The non-satisfaction by an individual of his basic needs due to insufficient financial means can cause him to become irritable, aggressive, and socially and symbolically isolated, thereby increasing the desire to resort to morbid life models such as excessive consumption of narcotics and other psychoactive substances often associated with high blood pressure. The fight against the emergence of BPH is a complex, multifaceted and multifactorial reality that requires taking into account economic stress. The main objective of this survey is to describe the situation of economic stress within the Cameroonian population, which imposes precariousness and life models at risk of high blood pressure. Specifically, we determined the level of household income and the sources of income. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a descriptive aim among five hundred households in the Central Region of Cameroon was conducted. A probabilistic technique called simple randomness was used. The number of households to be surveyed was determined indirectly using the Cochrane formula. Data collection in face-to-face mode using a physical questionnaire took place from July 1 to August 31, 2023, after obtaining ethical clearance from the Regional Health Research Ethics Committee, Human from the Center and an administrative authorization for data collection. Regarding their processing, the data was grouped during processing in Excel sheets. Normality and reliability tests of the collected data were carried out. For this, the Chi-square test was used for data with a qualitative value and that of Kolmogorov-Sminorf for data with a quantitative value. Descriptive analysis was possible using R software version 3.2, SPSS version 25.0, XLSTAT 2016, PAST and EXCEL programs from Microsoft Office 2013. Results: The main results highlight economic stress, with 45.60% of households surveyed earning less than US$154 per month;55% of household heads were women in single-parent families;14% of household heads were unemployed, 22% worked in the private sector and 19% were self-employed. This general economic situation leads to precarious living conditions, thereby increasing the risk of high blood pressure among the Cameroonian population.展开更多
Background: The restrictive lockdown measures that were introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic imposed constraints that affected university students’ drinking habits and mental health. Methods: The current...Background: The restrictive lockdown measures that were introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic imposed constraints that affected university students’ drinking habits and mental health. Methods: The current study evaluated the rate of binge drinking among university students as they returned to normal life post-lockdown and whether binge drinking affected their mental health and quality of life. A cross-sectional study included 1382 university students (18 - 24 years) of one private Southwestern university in Brazil. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief were used. Data were collected after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period (from October 2021 to May 2022). Results: 52.6% of the students reported binge drinking, and 35.6% reported symptoms of depression. Binge drinkers were 1.41 times more likely to experience depressive symptoms when compared with non-binge drinkers, and binge drinking was a risk factor for lower quality of life in all three domains (physical, psychological and environmental). Conclusion: Our study highlights an increased prevalence of binge drinking in university students after the pandemic lockdown. The rise in binge drinking rates was linked to depressive symptoms and worsening of quality of life.展开更多
Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar, and fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslim cancer patients and health professionals are faced with a dilemma between t...Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar, and fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslim cancer patients and health professionals are faced with a dilemma between the necessity of fasting and its possible adverse effects during Ramadan on the health status of cancer patients. We believe that addressing the issue of fasting in cancer patients is of global interest. Objectives: Prevalence of fasting in cancer patients during Ramadan;Predictive factors of Ramadan fasting in cancer patients;The effect of fasting during Ramadan on the quality of life of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to interview adult cancer patients who received chemotherapy IV—or oral treatment at the medical oncology department at the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez during the month of Ramadan 1443 Hijri (April to May 2022). The quality of cancer patients’ lives during their fasting practice in Ramadan was evaluated via the QLQ-C30 questionnaires. Results: 48% of patients did not fast during Ramadan, 22% and 30% were partial and complete fasters respectively. Patients, with OMS 0 to 1, who receive outpatient treatment, non-metastatic patients and patients on oral treatment were more frequent in the completely fasted group. All these factors showed statistically significant values (p < 0.05). 44% of patients sought advice from the treating oncologist if they could fast, while only 15% of patients during Ramadan asked an imam if they could be excused from fasting. A comparison of the QLQ-C30 data showed a significant improvement in emotional functioning with fasting, however, patients had clinically more but not significantly fatigue after fasting. Conclusion: Female gender, good WHO, non-metastatic disease, and oral or outpatient treatment were more likely to be fasting. This study argues that fasting did not influence the quality of life, and appears to significantly improve emotional functioning in cancer patients during Ramadan.展开更多
Cigarette smoking has known negative effects on physical and mental health. Over 16 million Americans suffer from smoking-related illnesses, and one-third of individuals with mental health issues are also cigarette sm...Cigarette smoking has known negative effects on physical and mental health. Over 16 million Americans suffer from smoking-related illnesses, and one-third of individuals with mental health issues are also cigarette smokers. Both physical and mental health are associated with measures of overall quality of life, a critical outcome that can influence treatment, intervention, and prevention decision-making. However, the direct relation between smoking and quality of life is not clear and requires further investigation. The present study utilized data from 34,309 adults who participated in Wave 5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) to examine the relation between smoking and quality of life while considering the mediating effects of physical and mental health, and the moderating effect of social satisfaction. Using Conditional Process Analyses to integrate mediation and moderation approaches, the present study found that smoking had indirect associations with quality of life mediated through both physical and mental health and that social satisfaction moderated these relationships. Additionally, smoking had an independent direct effect on quality of life that was not moderated by social satisfaction. Results suggest the negative impacts associated with smoking reach beyond its effect on physical, social and mental well-being.展开更多
Introduction: Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, poses a major global health challenge. In Gabon, 10% of the population is affected by this condition, highlighting the need to activ...Introduction: Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, poses a major global health challenge. In Gabon, 10% of the population is affected by this condition, highlighting the need to actively understand and manage it. Ocular complications of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts, have a devastating impact on patients quality of life and represent a crucial issue for healthcare systems. Methodology: This study conducted in Libreville from February 9, 2022, to April 15, 2022, was cross-sectional, longitudinal, and descriptive, with prospective data collection. Participants were diabetic patients regularly followed in the endocrinology department of CHUL, who were referred for a comprehensive ophthalmological examination at CHUO. Sampling was exhaustive, with strict inclusion criteria aimed at ensuring the representativeness of the study population. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.5 ± 13.2 years with a male-to-female ratio of 0.8. Personal histories were dominated by hypertension, while family histories were dominated by diabetes. Ocular complications of diabetes included refractive disorders (78.9%), cataracts (31.7%), glaucoma (78.9%), and diabetic retinopathy (13.7%). These ocular complications had a significant impact on participants’ quality of life, leading to impaired vision (78.9%), difficulties in carrying out daily activities (62.2%), the need for caregiver assistance (50.3%), high levels of stress and anxiety (68.9%), regular medication intake (71.4%), adherence to a specific diet (55.9%), and frequent blood glucose monitoring (74.5%). Conclusion: This study highlights the major impact of diabetic ocular complications on patients’ quality of life.展开更多
Background: Studies on either postnatal quality of life in general or studies that compare quality of life in new mothers after different mode of delivery are limited. An investigation on health related quality of lif...Background: Studies on either postnatal quality of life in general or studies that compare quality of life in new mothers after different mode of delivery are limited. An investigation on health related quality of life measures in women after different type of delivery showed that women who had vaginal delivery had better health related quality of life compared to those who had caesarean section. However, the best method of delivery, vaginal or caesarean for postpartum quality of life is a difficult question as it is a matter of controversy both from professional’s perspectives and from women’s experience during childbirth. Objective: To compare postpartum quality of life in primiparous women after vaginal delivery versus caesarean section. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Salmaniya medical complex in Kingdom of Bahrain. 500 primiparous women who gave birth either vaginally or by cesarean section answered a questionnaire designed to include general information, questions from short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and specific questions regarding postnatal related symptoms. Results: Body pain, fatigue, wound pain, headache and backache were significantly higher in cesarean section group as compared to vaginal delivery group (p-value Conclusion: Cesarean delivery has negatively affected the quality of life (QOL) of primiparous women. More studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to examine the effects of cesarean delivery on QOL in both primiparous and multiparas within a shorter period after delivery. .展开更多
Background: This cross-sectional investigative study aimed to determine student nurses’ attitudes towards end-of-life care. Methods: This study used a descriptive research design with stratified sampling to survey st...Background: This cross-sectional investigative study aimed to determine student nurses’ attitudes towards end-of-life care. Methods: This study used a descriptive research design with stratified sampling to survey student nurses enrolled in one of four nursing colleges in China from January 2023 to December 2023. Student nurses’ general demographic and prior related information, attitudes towards death and attitudes towards end-of-life care were determined using a general information questionnaire, the Death Attitude Profile—Revised scale and the Professional End-of-Life Attitude Scale (PEAS), respectively. Results: The total PEAS score was 122.91 ± 16.123. Significant differences were noted in the attitude towards end-of-life care scores according to sources of end-of-life care knowledge (P Conclusions: Student nurses lacked an optimistic attitude towards end-of-life care, which was influenced by differences in the sources of end-of-life care knowledge.展开更多
Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has research evidence that it can reduce symptoms of depression. Flow FL-100 is a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device self-administered by a...Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has research evidence that it can reduce symptoms of depression. Flow FL-100 is a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device self-administered by a patient at home in combination with a software application that delivers wellbeing behaviour therapy training. Purpose/aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate if Flow can be introduced to a Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment (CRT) service and the impact of Flow in treating depression. The study addresses the questions: 1) “what are the depression reliable improvement and remission rates?” and 2) “can Flow significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve real world functioning (every-day, social and occupational functioning) and health-related quality of life?”. Methods: An open-label patient cohort design with no control group. Pre-intervention and 6-week follow-up intervention assessments using the participant self-report measures: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D-5L). Participants were 49 CRT patients, 19 males and 30 females, with an age range of 20 to 66 years, and average age of 42 years. Results: PHQ-9 reliable improvement and remission rates were 57.1% and 14.3%. PHQ-9 scores significantly improved, from 23.1 (SD 3.44) to 14.8 (SD 6.82) at 6 weeks, with a large effect size. PHQ-9 suicide/self-harm related question significantly improved from 2.51 (SD 0.77) to 1.08 (SD 1.17), with a large effect size. WSAS scores significantly improved, from 33.6 (SD 5.22) to 21.9 (SD 10.82) at 6 weeks, with a large effect size. EQ-5D-5L results showed significant improvements in the health index score, global assessment of health EQ-VAS from 34.2 (22.26) to 51.6 (24.95), and three EQ-5D-5L dimensions (“self-care”, “usual activity”, and “anxiety/depression”). Conclusion: A CRT service effectively integrated Flow tDCS treatment. Flow was beneficial in terms of improving functioning and quality of life and reducing depression symptoms and thoughts of suicide/self-harm. Flow FL100 tDCS and wellbeing behaviour therapy training could be offered through all CRT services to treat depression, reduce thoughts of suicide/self-harm, enable better functioning, and improve quality of life.展开更多
This study highlights the importance of understanding how gender and weight affect key aspects of well-being, such as body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among college students. By examining these rel...This study highlights the importance of understanding how gender and weight affect key aspects of well-being, such as body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among college students. By examining these relationships, the study aims to provide information that serves as a basis for designing specific interventions to promote mental health and general well-being in this population. The objective is to provide insights into the relationships between these variables to guide targeted interventions for student well-being. Methods: A total of 100 university students from Chile (60% women, 40% men), aged between 18 and 25, participated in this study. Participants were classified into weight categories based on their Body Mass Index (BMI) according to WHO standards: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Validated scales were used to measure body image, stress management, and life satisfaction. Descriptive analyses and one-way ANOVA were conducted to identify significant differences between gender and weight categories. Results: Significant differences were found in stress management and body image according to weight categories. Participants with obesity reported the lowest scores in both body image and stress management, while underweight participants reported the highest scores. Men reported slightly better stress management, but the difference was not statistically significant. A moderate positive correlation was found between body image and life satisfaction (r = 0.29, p Conclusion: Gender and weight play an essential role in influencing body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among university students. These findings highlight the need for interventions that promote a healthy body image and effective stress management strategies, particularly for overweight and obese students.展开更多
This paper presents in a concise way the main characteristics of life from the physical point of view and the most successful theories of biogenesis, together with a mathematical formulation and simulation of proto-bi...This paper presents in a concise way the main characteristics of life from the physical point of view and the most successful theories of biogenesis, together with a mathematical formulation and simulation of proto-biogenesis. We present here a calculation method for biochemical reactions based on the available reaction data base, and using this method, we calculate precise scenarios for the first life cycle, and for the first stages of terrestrial biological evolution.展开更多
Objectives: This study was designed to validate, test and translate a newly developed assessment tool for health coaches to assess client’s satisfaction rates of the Circle of Life (CoL), as a guide for weight manage...Objectives: This study was designed to validate, test and translate a newly developed assessment tool for health coaches to assess client’s satisfaction rates of the Circle of Life (CoL), as a guide for weight management and also to monitor clients’ health and wellbeing improvements. This includes development of the assessment content, content validity, translating and pretesting the tool among potential clients. Method: 18 participants enrolled in a telenutrition weight loss program was and received a hypocaloric diet that was supported with monthly telemonitoring and health coaching sessions remotely for 6 months. Thus, we developed content of the assessment tool and created a rating scale of three levels of satisfaction (completely satisfied, slightly satisfied and not satisfied). The process of validation included content and language validity by experts in the field and language. Results: High scores according to the content validity rating were seen on both English and language versions of the CoL assessment tool by experts. Followed by a pre-testing process by participants, which showed reliability and consistency of the (CoL) variables using a multilevel analysis seeks across all individuals and all individuals had similar correlational pattern. Conclusions: The new (CoL) satisfaction scale have demonstrated a good capacity for identifying lifestyle factors associated with participants weight, which is a useful tool for integrative nutrition practice in weight management interventions. Future studies must be directed towards using the tool in assessing different populations and cultures to understand the main root of obesity in relation to behavior and day to day life factors.展开更多
“Plasmas” up to a kilometer in size and behaving similarly to multicellular organisms have been filmed on 10 separate NASA space shuttle missions, over 200 miles above Earth within the thermosphere. These self-illum...“Plasmas” up to a kilometer in size and behaving similarly to multicellular organisms have been filmed on 10 separate NASA space shuttle missions, over 200 miles above Earth within the thermosphere. These self-illuminated “plasmas” are attracted to and may “feed on” electromagnetic radiation. They have different morphologies: 1) cone, 2) cloud, 3) donut, 4) spherical-cylindrical;and have been filmed flying towards and descending from the thermosphere into thunderstorms;congregating by the hundreds and interacting with satellites generating electromagnetic activity;approaching the Space Shuttles. Computerized analysis of flight path trajectories documents these plasmas travel at different velocities from different directions and change their angle of trajectory making 45°, 90°, and 180° shifts and follow each other. They’ve been filmed accelerating, slowing down, stopping, congregating, engaging in “hunter-predatory” behavior and intersecting plasmas leaving a plasma dust trail in their wake. Similar life-like behaviors have been demonstrated by plasmas created experimentally. “Plasmas” may have been photographed in the 1940s by WWII pilots (identified as “Foo fighters”);repeatedly observed and filmed by astronauts and military pilots and classified as Unidentified Aerial—Anomalous Phenomenon. Plasmas are not biological but may represent a form of pre-life that via the incorporation of elements common in space, could result in the synthesis of RNA. Plasmas constitute a fourth state of matter, are attracted to electromagnetic activity, and when observed in the lower atmosphere likely account for many of the UFO-UAP sightings over the centuries.展开更多
In order to prevent possible casualties and economic loss, it is critical to accurate prediction of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) in rail prognostics health management. However, the traditional neural networks is di...In order to prevent possible casualties and economic loss, it is critical to accurate prediction of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) in rail prognostics health management. However, the traditional neural networks is difficult to capture the long-term dependency relationship of the time series in the modeling of the long time series of rail damage, due to the coupling relationship of multi-channel data from multiple sensors. Here, in this paper, a novel RUL prediction model with an enhanced pulse separable convolution is used to solve this issue. Firstly, a coding module based on the improved pulse separable convolutional network is established to effectively model the relationship between the data. To enhance the network, an alternate gradient back propagation method is implemented. And an efficient channel attention (ECA) mechanism is developed for better emphasizing the useful pulse characteristics. Secondly, an optimized Transformer encoder was designed to serve as the backbone of the model. It has the ability to efficiently understand relationship between the data itself and each other at each time step of long time series with a full life cycle. More importantly, the Transformer encoder is improved by integrating pulse maximum pooling to retain more pulse timing characteristics. Finally, based on the characteristics of the front layer, the final predicted RUL value was provided and served as the end-to-end solution. The empirical findings validate the efficacy of the suggested approach in forecasting the rail RUL, surpassing various existing data-driven prognostication techniques. Meanwhile, the proposed method also shows good generalization performance on PHM2012 bearing data set.展开更多
Aim: This study evaluates the impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) nursing on postoperative complications and quality of life in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE)....Aim: This study evaluates the impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) nursing on postoperative complications and quality of life in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). Methods: A total of 150 patients who underwent RAMIE from January 2020 to January 2022 at our hospital were randomly assigned to either the observation group or the control group, with 75 patients in each. The control group received standard perioperative management and nursing care, while the observation group was treated with ERAS nursing strategies. Interventions continued until discharge, and outcomes such as postoperative complications, quality of life, and nutritional status were compared between the groups. Results: The observation group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of postoperative adverse reactions compared to the control group (P ionally, all dimension scores of the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), including the total score, were higher in the observation group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) scores for impaired nutritional status and disease severity, along with the total NRS score, were significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P Conclusion: Implementing ERAS nursing in the perioperative care of patients undergoing RAMIE is associated with reduced postoperative complications and enhanced postoperative quality of life and nutritional status. .展开更多
Cam-followers provide reliable and controlled motions in various mechanical systems. Due to the highly fluctuating load between the cam and follower in operation, the cam-follower may be subjected to a high risk of co...Cam-followers provide reliable and controlled motions in various mechanical systems. Due to the highly fluctuating load between the cam and follower in operation, the cam-follower may be subjected to a high risk of contact fatigue failure. This paper assesses the fatigue life of a cycloidal displacement cam and a flat-faced follower under the defined loads and constraints. Computer-aided design (CAD) model of the cam-follower is developed in CATIA software and imported to ANSYS software for finite element analysis (FEA) of fatigue life. MATLAB programming is developed for determining the appropriate spring constant and pre-load force to always keep the cam and follower in contact. The fatigue life of the cam-follower has been estimated under the specified operating conditions. The analysis method can be applied to investigate the fatigue life of cams with other profiles, including the modified trapezoidal functions, polynomial functions, etc.展开更多
文摘Background: Research exploring the influence of glaucoma on quality of life has gained momentum in recent years. Numerous studies have investigated the multifaceted aspects of quality of life in glaucoma patients, utilizing various assessment tools and methodologies. Objective: To determine the influence that glaucoma has on the quality of life among adult patients. Study site: kitwe teaching eye hospital, Zambia. Method: It was a cross-sectional study that was conducted from 30<sup>th</sup> June 2022 to 17<sup>th</sup> April 2023. The study included 106 diagnosed glaucoma patients who were above the age of 55 years. Data was collected using validated 25-item national eye institute visual function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Microsoft excel to present frequencies and percentages that generated graphical presentation. Results: 62% of the participants worry about their eye sight most of the time, 26% sometimes and 12% a little time. 9% of the participants had little difficulty to read ordinary prints, 14% moderate difficulties and 58% extremely difficult. 40% of the participants could drive despite glaucoma damaging their eyes while 60% could not. Majority of the patients said it was difficult noticing things around them while walking or sitted in one place. There was a significant difference between effects of glaucoma on patients and the existing relationship between glaucoma and quality of life (ANOVA, p = 0.019 and ANOVA, p = 0.023). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the magnitude of impact that glaucoma has on the Quality of Life (QoL) in diagnosed patients and the relationship between glaucoma and the Quality of Life. Due to the progressive visual loss, the amount of activities these patients would perform is negatively affected especially where social and economic activities are concerned which also affects their monthly earnings for those living in middle to low-income countries. Therefore, social welfare and psycho-social institutions need to increase their support for these glaucoma patients.
文摘Context: Kidney transplantation is today the standard treatment for patients suffering from chronic end-stage renal failure. Living kidney donation offers many advantages for the recipient, but requires a subject without comorbidities to undergo surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and psychosocial experience of living kidney donors after donation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with an analytical aim, involving living kidney donors during the period from January 2016 to April 2019 at CHUGA. (University Hospital Center of Grenoble Alpes in France). Results: Our study shows that out of 88 donors, 70 responded to our questionnaires, representing a prevalence of 80.5%. The average age of our donors was 55.6 years with a female predominance. Seven out of eight domains of the SF36 score had a good quality of life after donation and the donation did not alter their psychosocial experience. The majority of our donors expressed their pride and enthusiasm, did not regret having saved a life, and this experience was considered positive. Conclusion: Kidney donation does not have a negative impact on quality of life and psychosocial life. The majority of donors do not regret their donation. The dissemination of such results could make it possible to increase the number of kidney transplants from living donors in France, especially in our African countries where the management of ESRD remains a real public health problem.
文摘Objective: To analyze the impact of combined Watson care theory intervention on the psychological state and quality of life in patients with terminal lung cancer. Methods: 72 patients with terminal lung cancer admitted from March 2021 to January 2024 were selected, which were divided into research group (life review combined with Watson care theory intervention) and control group (conventional intervention), with 36 cases each. Compare the nursing effect between the two groups. Results: The anxiety self-rating scale (SAS) and depression self-rating scale (SDS) scores were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the quality of life score was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Life review combined with Watson care theory intervention can improve the psychological state and improve the quality of life of patients with terminal lung cancer.
文摘Context/Objective: High blood pressure (HBP) currently represents the most widespread chronic non-communicable disease in Cameroon. The increase in its prevalence in the country is the result of multiple factors including economic stress imposed by precariousness, poor living conditions, sources of anxiety, anguish, depression and other behavioral disorders. Economic stress is a globalizing concept that integrates into a purely hermeneutic approach, a particular functioning of the nervous system of an individual who faces employment problems and precarious remuneration conditions. The non-satisfaction by an individual of his basic needs due to insufficient financial means can cause him to become irritable, aggressive, and socially and symbolically isolated, thereby increasing the desire to resort to morbid life models such as excessive consumption of narcotics and other psychoactive substances often associated with high blood pressure. The fight against the emergence of BPH is a complex, multifaceted and multifactorial reality that requires taking into account economic stress. The main objective of this survey is to describe the situation of economic stress within the Cameroonian population, which imposes precariousness and life models at risk of high blood pressure. Specifically, we determined the level of household income and the sources of income. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a descriptive aim among five hundred households in the Central Region of Cameroon was conducted. A probabilistic technique called simple randomness was used. The number of households to be surveyed was determined indirectly using the Cochrane formula. Data collection in face-to-face mode using a physical questionnaire took place from July 1 to August 31, 2023, after obtaining ethical clearance from the Regional Health Research Ethics Committee, Human from the Center and an administrative authorization for data collection. Regarding their processing, the data was grouped during processing in Excel sheets. Normality and reliability tests of the collected data were carried out. For this, the Chi-square test was used for data with a qualitative value and that of Kolmogorov-Sminorf for data with a quantitative value. Descriptive analysis was possible using R software version 3.2, SPSS version 25.0, XLSTAT 2016, PAST and EXCEL programs from Microsoft Office 2013. Results: The main results highlight economic stress, with 45.60% of households surveyed earning less than US$154 per month;55% of household heads were women in single-parent families;14% of household heads were unemployed, 22% worked in the private sector and 19% were self-employed. This general economic situation leads to precarious living conditions, thereby increasing the risk of high blood pressure among the Cameroonian population.
文摘Background: The restrictive lockdown measures that were introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic imposed constraints that affected university students’ drinking habits and mental health. Methods: The current study evaluated the rate of binge drinking among university students as they returned to normal life post-lockdown and whether binge drinking affected their mental health and quality of life. A cross-sectional study included 1382 university students (18 - 24 years) of one private Southwestern university in Brazil. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief were used. Data were collected after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period (from October 2021 to May 2022). Results: 52.6% of the students reported binge drinking, and 35.6% reported symptoms of depression. Binge drinkers were 1.41 times more likely to experience depressive symptoms when compared with non-binge drinkers, and binge drinking was a risk factor for lower quality of life in all three domains (physical, psychological and environmental). Conclusion: Our study highlights an increased prevalence of binge drinking in university students after the pandemic lockdown. The rise in binge drinking rates was linked to depressive symptoms and worsening of quality of life.
文摘Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar, and fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslim cancer patients and health professionals are faced with a dilemma between the necessity of fasting and its possible adverse effects during Ramadan on the health status of cancer patients. We believe that addressing the issue of fasting in cancer patients is of global interest. Objectives: Prevalence of fasting in cancer patients during Ramadan;Predictive factors of Ramadan fasting in cancer patients;The effect of fasting during Ramadan on the quality of life of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to interview adult cancer patients who received chemotherapy IV—or oral treatment at the medical oncology department at the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez during the month of Ramadan 1443 Hijri (April to May 2022). The quality of cancer patients’ lives during their fasting practice in Ramadan was evaluated via the QLQ-C30 questionnaires. Results: 48% of patients did not fast during Ramadan, 22% and 30% were partial and complete fasters respectively. Patients, with OMS 0 to 1, who receive outpatient treatment, non-metastatic patients and patients on oral treatment were more frequent in the completely fasted group. All these factors showed statistically significant values (p < 0.05). 44% of patients sought advice from the treating oncologist if they could fast, while only 15% of patients during Ramadan asked an imam if they could be excused from fasting. A comparison of the QLQ-C30 data showed a significant improvement in emotional functioning with fasting, however, patients had clinically more but not significantly fatigue after fasting. Conclusion: Female gender, good WHO, non-metastatic disease, and oral or outpatient treatment were more likely to be fasting. This study argues that fasting did not influence the quality of life, and appears to significantly improve emotional functioning in cancer patients during Ramadan.
文摘Cigarette smoking has known negative effects on physical and mental health. Over 16 million Americans suffer from smoking-related illnesses, and one-third of individuals with mental health issues are also cigarette smokers. Both physical and mental health are associated with measures of overall quality of life, a critical outcome that can influence treatment, intervention, and prevention decision-making. However, the direct relation between smoking and quality of life is not clear and requires further investigation. The present study utilized data from 34,309 adults who participated in Wave 5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) to examine the relation between smoking and quality of life while considering the mediating effects of physical and mental health, and the moderating effect of social satisfaction. Using Conditional Process Analyses to integrate mediation and moderation approaches, the present study found that smoking had indirect associations with quality of life mediated through both physical and mental health and that social satisfaction moderated these relationships. Additionally, smoking had an independent direct effect on quality of life that was not moderated by social satisfaction. Results suggest the negative impacts associated with smoking reach beyond its effect on physical, social and mental well-being.
文摘Introduction: Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, poses a major global health challenge. In Gabon, 10% of the population is affected by this condition, highlighting the need to actively understand and manage it. Ocular complications of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts, have a devastating impact on patients quality of life and represent a crucial issue for healthcare systems. Methodology: This study conducted in Libreville from February 9, 2022, to April 15, 2022, was cross-sectional, longitudinal, and descriptive, with prospective data collection. Participants were diabetic patients regularly followed in the endocrinology department of CHUL, who were referred for a comprehensive ophthalmological examination at CHUO. Sampling was exhaustive, with strict inclusion criteria aimed at ensuring the representativeness of the study population. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.5 ± 13.2 years with a male-to-female ratio of 0.8. Personal histories were dominated by hypertension, while family histories were dominated by diabetes. Ocular complications of diabetes included refractive disorders (78.9%), cataracts (31.7%), glaucoma (78.9%), and diabetic retinopathy (13.7%). These ocular complications had a significant impact on participants’ quality of life, leading to impaired vision (78.9%), difficulties in carrying out daily activities (62.2%), the need for caregiver assistance (50.3%), high levels of stress and anxiety (68.9%), regular medication intake (71.4%), adherence to a specific diet (55.9%), and frequent blood glucose monitoring (74.5%). Conclusion: This study highlights the major impact of diabetic ocular complications on patients’ quality of life.
文摘Background: Studies on either postnatal quality of life in general or studies that compare quality of life in new mothers after different mode of delivery are limited. An investigation on health related quality of life measures in women after different type of delivery showed that women who had vaginal delivery had better health related quality of life compared to those who had caesarean section. However, the best method of delivery, vaginal or caesarean for postpartum quality of life is a difficult question as it is a matter of controversy both from professional’s perspectives and from women’s experience during childbirth. Objective: To compare postpartum quality of life in primiparous women after vaginal delivery versus caesarean section. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Salmaniya medical complex in Kingdom of Bahrain. 500 primiparous women who gave birth either vaginally or by cesarean section answered a questionnaire designed to include general information, questions from short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and specific questions regarding postnatal related symptoms. Results: Body pain, fatigue, wound pain, headache and backache were significantly higher in cesarean section group as compared to vaginal delivery group (p-value Conclusion: Cesarean delivery has negatively affected the quality of life (QOL) of primiparous women. More studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to examine the effects of cesarean delivery on QOL in both primiparous and multiparas within a shorter period after delivery. .
文摘Background: This cross-sectional investigative study aimed to determine student nurses’ attitudes towards end-of-life care. Methods: This study used a descriptive research design with stratified sampling to survey student nurses enrolled in one of four nursing colleges in China from January 2023 to December 2023. Student nurses’ general demographic and prior related information, attitudes towards death and attitudes towards end-of-life care were determined using a general information questionnaire, the Death Attitude Profile—Revised scale and the Professional End-of-Life Attitude Scale (PEAS), respectively. Results: The total PEAS score was 122.91 ± 16.123. Significant differences were noted in the attitude towards end-of-life care scores according to sources of end-of-life care knowledge (P Conclusions: Student nurses lacked an optimistic attitude towards end-of-life care, which was influenced by differences in the sources of end-of-life care knowledge.
文摘Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has research evidence that it can reduce symptoms of depression. Flow FL-100 is a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device self-administered by a patient at home in combination with a software application that delivers wellbeing behaviour therapy training. Purpose/aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate if Flow can be introduced to a Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment (CRT) service and the impact of Flow in treating depression. The study addresses the questions: 1) “what are the depression reliable improvement and remission rates?” and 2) “can Flow significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve real world functioning (every-day, social and occupational functioning) and health-related quality of life?”. Methods: An open-label patient cohort design with no control group. Pre-intervention and 6-week follow-up intervention assessments using the participant self-report measures: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D-5L). Participants were 49 CRT patients, 19 males and 30 females, with an age range of 20 to 66 years, and average age of 42 years. Results: PHQ-9 reliable improvement and remission rates were 57.1% and 14.3%. PHQ-9 scores significantly improved, from 23.1 (SD 3.44) to 14.8 (SD 6.82) at 6 weeks, with a large effect size. PHQ-9 suicide/self-harm related question significantly improved from 2.51 (SD 0.77) to 1.08 (SD 1.17), with a large effect size. WSAS scores significantly improved, from 33.6 (SD 5.22) to 21.9 (SD 10.82) at 6 weeks, with a large effect size. EQ-5D-5L results showed significant improvements in the health index score, global assessment of health EQ-VAS from 34.2 (22.26) to 51.6 (24.95), and three EQ-5D-5L dimensions (“self-care”, “usual activity”, and “anxiety/depression”). Conclusion: A CRT service effectively integrated Flow tDCS treatment. Flow was beneficial in terms of improving functioning and quality of life and reducing depression symptoms and thoughts of suicide/self-harm. Flow FL100 tDCS and wellbeing behaviour therapy training could be offered through all CRT services to treat depression, reduce thoughts of suicide/self-harm, enable better functioning, and improve quality of life.
文摘This study highlights the importance of understanding how gender and weight affect key aspects of well-being, such as body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among college students. By examining these relationships, the study aims to provide information that serves as a basis for designing specific interventions to promote mental health and general well-being in this population. The objective is to provide insights into the relationships between these variables to guide targeted interventions for student well-being. Methods: A total of 100 university students from Chile (60% women, 40% men), aged between 18 and 25, participated in this study. Participants were classified into weight categories based on their Body Mass Index (BMI) according to WHO standards: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Validated scales were used to measure body image, stress management, and life satisfaction. Descriptive analyses and one-way ANOVA were conducted to identify significant differences between gender and weight categories. Results: Significant differences were found in stress management and body image according to weight categories. Participants with obesity reported the lowest scores in both body image and stress management, while underweight participants reported the highest scores. Men reported slightly better stress management, but the difference was not statistically significant. A moderate positive correlation was found between body image and life satisfaction (r = 0.29, p Conclusion: Gender and weight play an essential role in influencing body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among university students. These findings highlight the need for interventions that promote a healthy body image and effective stress management strategies, particularly for overweight and obese students.
文摘This paper presents in a concise way the main characteristics of life from the physical point of view and the most successful theories of biogenesis, together with a mathematical formulation and simulation of proto-biogenesis. We present here a calculation method for biochemical reactions based on the available reaction data base, and using this method, we calculate precise scenarios for the first life cycle, and for the first stages of terrestrial biological evolution.
文摘Objectives: This study was designed to validate, test and translate a newly developed assessment tool for health coaches to assess client’s satisfaction rates of the Circle of Life (CoL), as a guide for weight management and also to monitor clients’ health and wellbeing improvements. This includes development of the assessment content, content validity, translating and pretesting the tool among potential clients. Method: 18 participants enrolled in a telenutrition weight loss program was and received a hypocaloric diet that was supported with monthly telemonitoring and health coaching sessions remotely for 6 months. Thus, we developed content of the assessment tool and created a rating scale of three levels of satisfaction (completely satisfied, slightly satisfied and not satisfied). The process of validation included content and language validity by experts in the field and language. Results: High scores according to the content validity rating were seen on both English and language versions of the CoL assessment tool by experts. Followed by a pre-testing process by participants, which showed reliability and consistency of the (CoL) variables using a multilevel analysis seeks across all individuals and all individuals had similar correlational pattern. Conclusions: The new (CoL) satisfaction scale have demonstrated a good capacity for identifying lifestyle factors associated with participants weight, which is a useful tool for integrative nutrition practice in weight management interventions. Future studies must be directed towards using the tool in assessing different populations and cultures to understand the main root of obesity in relation to behavior and day to day life factors.
文摘“Plasmas” up to a kilometer in size and behaving similarly to multicellular organisms have been filmed on 10 separate NASA space shuttle missions, over 200 miles above Earth within the thermosphere. These self-illuminated “plasmas” are attracted to and may “feed on” electromagnetic radiation. They have different morphologies: 1) cone, 2) cloud, 3) donut, 4) spherical-cylindrical;and have been filmed flying towards and descending from the thermosphere into thunderstorms;congregating by the hundreds and interacting with satellites generating electromagnetic activity;approaching the Space Shuttles. Computerized analysis of flight path trajectories documents these plasmas travel at different velocities from different directions and change their angle of trajectory making 45°, 90°, and 180° shifts and follow each other. They’ve been filmed accelerating, slowing down, stopping, congregating, engaging in “hunter-predatory” behavior and intersecting plasmas leaving a plasma dust trail in their wake. Similar life-like behaviors have been demonstrated by plasmas created experimentally. “Plasmas” may have been photographed in the 1940s by WWII pilots (identified as “Foo fighters”);repeatedly observed and filmed by astronauts and military pilots and classified as Unidentified Aerial—Anomalous Phenomenon. Plasmas are not biological but may represent a form of pre-life that via the incorporation of elements common in space, could result in the synthesis of RNA. Plasmas constitute a fourth state of matter, are attracted to electromagnetic activity, and when observed in the lower atmosphere likely account for many of the UFO-UAP sightings over the centuries.
文摘In order to prevent possible casualties and economic loss, it is critical to accurate prediction of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) in rail prognostics health management. However, the traditional neural networks is difficult to capture the long-term dependency relationship of the time series in the modeling of the long time series of rail damage, due to the coupling relationship of multi-channel data from multiple sensors. Here, in this paper, a novel RUL prediction model with an enhanced pulse separable convolution is used to solve this issue. Firstly, a coding module based on the improved pulse separable convolutional network is established to effectively model the relationship between the data. To enhance the network, an alternate gradient back propagation method is implemented. And an efficient channel attention (ECA) mechanism is developed for better emphasizing the useful pulse characteristics. Secondly, an optimized Transformer encoder was designed to serve as the backbone of the model. It has the ability to efficiently understand relationship between the data itself and each other at each time step of long time series with a full life cycle. More importantly, the Transformer encoder is improved by integrating pulse maximum pooling to retain more pulse timing characteristics. Finally, based on the characteristics of the front layer, the final predicted RUL value was provided and served as the end-to-end solution. The empirical findings validate the efficacy of the suggested approach in forecasting the rail RUL, surpassing various existing data-driven prognostication techniques. Meanwhile, the proposed method also shows good generalization performance on PHM2012 bearing data set.
文摘Aim: This study evaluates the impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) nursing on postoperative complications and quality of life in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). Methods: A total of 150 patients who underwent RAMIE from January 2020 to January 2022 at our hospital were randomly assigned to either the observation group or the control group, with 75 patients in each. The control group received standard perioperative management and nursing care, while the observation group was treated with ERAS nursing strategies. Interventions continued until discharge, and outcomes such as postoperative complications, quality of life, and nutritional status were compared between the groups. Results: The observation group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of postoperative adverse reactions compared to the control group (P ionally, all dimension scores of the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), including the total score, were higher in the observation group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) scores for impaired nutritional status and disease severity, along with the total NRS score, were significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P Conclusion: Implementing ERAS nursing in the perioperative care of patients undergoing RAMIE is associated with reduced postoperative complications and enhanced postoperative quality of life and nutritional status. .
文摘Cam-followers provide reliable and controlled motions in various mechanical systems. Due to the highly fluctuating load between the cam and follower in operation, the cam-follower may be subjected to a high risk of contact fatigue failure. This paper assesses the fatigue life of a cycloidal displacement cam and a flat-faced follower under the defined loads and constraints. Computer-aided design (CAD) model of the cam-follower is developed in CATIA software and imported to ANSYS software for finite element analysis (FEA) of fatigue life. MATLAB programming is developed for determining the appropriate spring constant and pre-load force to always keep the cam and follower in contact. The fatigue life of the cam-follower has been estimated under the specified operating conditions. The analysis method can be applied to investigate the fatigue life of cams with other profiles, including the modified trapezoidal functions, polynomial functions, etc.