Effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness:A multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial

Purpose:To examine the effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness in children aged 7-8 years.Methods:Twenty schools in 5 different European countries(2 second-grade classrooms per school)participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial(Sport at School trial).Participants were assigned to either a control group,which continued with their habitual physical education lessons,or to an intervention group,which replaced these lessons with a 1-year karate intervention(Karate Mind and Movement program).A total of 721 children(344 girls and 377 boys,7.4±0.5 years old,mean±SD)completed the study,of which 333 and 388 were assigned to the control group and intervention group,respectively.Outcomes included academic performance(average grade),psychosocial functioning(Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents),and different markers of physical fitness(cardiorespiratory fitness,balance,and flexibility).Results:The intervention provided small but significant benefits compared to the control group for academic achievement(d=0.16;p=0.003),conduct problems(d=-0.28;p=0.003),cardiorespiratory fitness(d=0.36;p<0.001),and balance(d=0.24;p=0.015).There was a trend towards significant benefits for flexibility(d=0.24;p=0.056).No significant benefits were observed for other variables,including psychosocial difficulties,emotional symptoms,hyperactivity/inattention,peer problems,or prosocial behaviour(all p>0.05).Conclusion:A 1-year school-based karate intervention was effective in improving academic achievement,conduct problems,and physical fitness in primary school children.The results support the inclusion of karate during physical education lessons.

Instruments Assessing Problematic Use of the Internet and Their Associations with Psychological Distress among Ghanaian University Students

Background:The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of Problematic Internet Use(PIU)instruments and their correlation with psychological distress and time spent on Internet activities among university students in Ghana.Methods:In the present cross-sectional survey design study,520 participants(35.96% female)were recruited with a mean age of 19.55 years(SD=1.94)from several university departments(i.e.,Behavioral Sciences,Materials Engineering,Nursing and Midwifery,and Biochemistry and Biotechnology)of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST)between 19 July and 04 August,2023.Participants completed a survey that included the following measures:the Gaming Disorder Test(GDT),Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents(GADIS-A),Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form(IGDS9-SF),Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale(BSMAS),Smartphone Application Based Addiction Scale(SABAS),Nomophobia Questionnaire(NMP-Q),and the external criterion measure:Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21(DASS-21).Confirmatory factor analysis(CFA)was carried out to evaluate the structure of the instruments.Cronbach’s α,McDonald’s ω,and composite reliability were used to evaluate internal consistency.Pearson correlation was used to examine the associations between the scores of instruments assessing PIU,time spent on Internet activities,and the level of psychological distress.Results:Model fits confirmed the(i)unidimensional structure of the GDT,BSMAS,SABAS,IGDS9-SF,(ii)two-factor structure of the GADIS-A,and(iii)four-factor structure of the NMP-Q.Additionally,the study found that different types of PIU were significantly associated with psychological distress and time spent on related Internet activities.Conclusion:The six instruments validated in the present study demonstrated very good to excellent psychometric properties when applied to university students in Ghana.The significant associations between Internet-related disorders,time spent on Internet-related activities,and psychological distress highlight the importance of addressing issues of PIU among this population.

宽宏大量与睚眦必报:宽恕和报复对愤怒的降低作用

本研究通过3个实验比较宽恕和报复对愤怒的降低作用。采用假设情景的方法,实验1通过在冒犯行为之后直接启动宽恕或报复,结果显示宽恕比报复对愤怒的降低作用更好,并且对消极情绪也具有降低作用;实验2考察在不同冒犯行为意图下宽恕与报复对愤怒的降低作用,结果显示不管是有意而为还是无心之过的冒犯行为,宽恕对愤怒的降低作用均要优于报复。实验3要求被试在冒犯行为后进行宽恕或报复,结果显示宽恕和报复对愤怒均有降低作用,但是宽恕的降低效果要显著优于报复。研究显示,对于冒犯行为后的愤怒感,宽恕的降低作用优于报复。

单桩海上风机灌浆连接的抗震性能研究

在地震作用下,灌浆连接段的稳定性直接关系到风机结构的安全。为了探讨灌浆连接的抗震性能,文章以5 MW单桩风机为研究对象,采用OpenSees和ANSYS软件分别建立风机结构及灌浆连接有限元模型;以最不利的地震动为输入,同时考虑风和波浪耦合作用分析灌浆连接的受力及反应。结果表明,地震动使风机灌浆连接处产生较大荷载作用,容易使灌浆层出现高拉应力,导致灌浆材料拉裂,致使灌浆连接失效;地震动强度较小时,风和波浪荷载对灌浆连接受力影响较大,随着地震动强度增大,风和波浪的影响逐渐减弱。风机灌浆连接的抗震设计,应重点分析灌浆层的震动破坏,并充分考虑风和波浪的荷载效应。

高等职业教育与企业之间校企合作的建立

信息时代的到来使得高等教育体系中学习和工作的紧密联系越发显现出来。合作教育体系以及基于工作的学习,是实现工学结合的有效手段,在这个体系中,学校和企业紧密合作,学生将学习和工作有机结合。为了探究合作高等教育的发展动因及其阻碍因素,围绕合作教育的评价体系和有关政策,进行了大量的调研和分析。为了推进合作教育体系观念的认可,对高等职业院校和多家企业参与者的合作进行了调研和督察。这种独特的高等教育理念的推广,需要建立质量保证体系来明确人才培养标准和学生如何达到这些标准,还需要清晰描述所涉及各方的责任和义务。高等教育部门和企业参与合作课程的设计,对于双方持续校企合作的建立和发展是非常有帮助的,但还需要克服两者之间文化的差异。

Electroconvulsive therapy in catatonic patients: Efficacy and predictors of response

Recent evidence favors the view of catatonia as an autonomous syndrome, frequently associated with mood disorders, but also observed in neurological, neurodevelop-mental, physical and toxic conditions. From our systematic literature review, electroconvulsive therapy(ECT) results effective in all forms of catatonia, even after pharmacotherapy with benzodiazepines has failed. Response rate ranges from 80% to 100% and results superior to those of any other therapy in psychiatry. ECT should be considered first-line treatment in patients with malignant catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, delirious mania or severe catatonic excitement, and in general in all catatonic patients that are refractory or partially responsive to benzodiazepines. Early intervention with ECT is encouraged to avoid undue deterioration of the patient's medical condition. Little is known about the long-term treatment outcomes following administration of ECT for catatonia. The presence of a concomitant chronic neurologic disease or extrapyramidal deficit seems to be related to ECT non-response. On the contrary, the presence of acute, severe and psychotic mood disorder is associated with good response. Severe psychotic features in responders may be related with a prominent GABAergic mediated deficit in orbitofrontal cortex, whereas non-responders may be characterized by a prevalent dopaminergic mediated extrapyramidal deficit. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that ECT is more effective in "top-down" variant of catatonia, in which the psychomotor syndrome may be sustained by a dysregulation of the orbitofrontal cortex, than in "bottom-up" variant, in which an extrapyramidal dysregulation may be prevalent. Future research should focus on ECT response in different subtype of catatonia and on efficacy of maintenance ECT in long-term prevention of recurrent catatonia. Further research on mechanism of action of ECT in catatonia may also contribute to the development of other brain stimulation techniques.

Improve nursing in evidence-based practice:How Chinese nurses'read and comprehend scientific literature

Objectives:To examine Chinese nurses'practice of reading and understanding scientific literature and elucidate the motivating and deterring factors.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study conducted between March and June 2015.A random sample of 853 full-time registered nurses from three tertiary and two secondary hospitals in China filled out a set of self-administered questionnaires,including literature habit questionnaire(41 items),the situational motivation scale and the socio-demographic and professional characteristics questionnaire(15 items).Results:Significant majority(89.2%)of the respondents reported perception of barriers to keeping up to date with literature.The language barrier was the most prominent,followed by poor presentation and readability of articles.Using simpler language when writing articles,improving ones'foreign language proficiency and getting education or training on nursing research were raised as the top facilitators.Additionally,reading and understanding literature was significantly associated with the nurses'educational background,motivation,genders and work settings.Conclusions:The survey of the current status of literature education among Chinese nurses suggests that providing protected time,training for critical thinking,and incentive mechanisms will help improve nurses'engagement in literature and create a culture of academic inquiry.

Maternal and fetal outcomes in term premature rupture of membrane

BACKGROUND: Premature rupture of membrane(PROM) is linked to significant maternal prenatal mortalities and morbidity. In Ethiopia, where maternal mortality is still high, the maternal and fetal outcomes in PROM is very important to decrease maternal and child mortality and for better management and prevention of complications. Thus, this study aimed to detect the maternal and fetal outcomes and associated factors in term PROM at Mizan-Aman General Hospital, south-west Ethiopia.METHODS: A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted using data available at MizanAman General Hospital during a period of 3 years(January 2011 to December 2013). We examined records of 4 525 women who gave birth in the hospital; out of these women, 185 were diagnosed with term PROM and all of them were included in the study. The data of these women were collected using a checklist based on registration books. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical package. The association between independent and dependent variables was assessed by bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. 95%CI and P value less than 0.05 were considered statistically signifi cant.RESULTS: Of the 4 525 women who gave birth in the hospital, 202 were complicated by term PROM. About 22.2% of the women showed unfavorable maternal outcomes. The most common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality was puerperal sepsis. About 33.5% of neonates experienced unfavorable outcomes. The duration of PROM >12 hours(AOR=5.6, 95%CI 1.3–24.1) latency >24 hours(AOR=2.8, 95%CI 1.7–11.8), residing in rural areas(AOR=4.2, 95%CI 3.96–29.4) and birth weight less than 2 500 g were associated with unfavorable outcomes.CONCLUSION: Women residing in rural areas, long latency, and neonates with birth weight less 2 500 g may have unfavorable outcomes. Therefore, optimum obstetric and medical care is essential for the reduction of the devastating complications related to disorders.

Reporting guidelines of Chinese medicine:Current situation and future development

Objective:Reporting research is as important a part of a study as its design or analysis.Reporting guidelines(RGs)provide structured advice on how to report research studies clearly and adequately.This study aimed to review the development of RGs of Chinese medicine(CM)and to provide recommen-dations for improvement.Methods:Through a systematic search of the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research(EQUATOR)Network and electronic databases up to January 1,2022,we identified a total of 15 RGs of CM,and further summarized their characteristics and applications.In addition,we reviewed the development of international RGs and analyzed its impact for CM.Results:Compared with the generic RGs,the reporting standards of CM have been rapidly developed over the last 10 years,of which 57%were issued in recent 3 years(2019-2021).Currently,the system of RGs of CM has been established,especially for clinical trials,including various CM interventions and covering the guidelines from trial registration,protocol,results publication to the evidence synthesis and clinical practice guideline.However,the application of RGs of CM is suboptimal.Conclusion:It is necessary to take further measures to promote practical application,improve journals’endorsement,and establish quality monitoring procedures for RGs of CM in the future.

Comparing Socio-Demographic, Health-Related, and Biochemical Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) between Adolescents from Two Arab Countries

Background: Studies related to socio-demographic, health-related, and biochemical factors are scarce among Arab adults and even more so among adolescents. Objectives: To compare the above factors between adolescents from two Arab countries. Methods: Two previous studies were done on some of the above factors. The similar factors in the two studies were compared with each other. The two Arab countries that came close to addressing these factors were Kuwait (K) and Egypt (E). Results: Anthropometric measurements were higher among K than E with the exception of Homa-IR, CRP, and homocysteine. All biochemical factors were higher among K than E. The IQ range for gender, age, WC, and area of residence were higher among E than K. The comparison between K and E with respect to the presence of one MetS or more was inconsistent. As the number of MetS increased, K showed higher values of the prevalence MetS than E for either gender or total sample. Conclusions: For individual comparable factors, results were inconsistent. However, with the presence of >1 MetS parameter, K showed consistently higher prevalence of MetS.

The association of uric acid with metabolic syndrome among Kuwaiti adolescents

Background: The association between uric acid (UA) with metabolic syndrome (MS) has been researched more in adults than in adolescents. In fact, this association is not completely understood among adolescents. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between UA with MS. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 742 Kuwaiti adolescents (303 males and 439 females) who were apparently healthy, chosen from randomly selected schools were used for the study;four intermediate (two males and two females) and four secondary (two males and two females) schools. Results: The results of the study showed the UA level was highly associated with MS, especially among males. UA was significantly associated with each of the six parameters of MS. Conclusions: The level of uric acid among the adolescent was high and it was significantly associated with MS and gender. Dietary interventions are necessary to reduce UA and the parameters of MS among the adolescents.

Socio-demographic and health-related determinants of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male Kuwaiti adolescents aged 10 - 19 years

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the association between socio-demographic and health-related factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male adolescents in Kuwait. Methods and Results: We used a cross sectional study with a sample of 303 male Kuwaiti adolescents of age 10 - 19 years, selected from intermediate and high schools. All had anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests. In addition, a questionnaire for the evaluation of the association of a variety of socio-demographic and health-related factors with MetS was given to participants for assessing these factors. The presence of the MetS was assessed in each subject using two validated criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel Modified for age (NCEP-ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). We established that the prevalence of MetS by the ATP III and IDF criteria was respectively 9.8% and 11.7%. The educational level of both parents and factors such as weight, diet and physical activity associated significantly with the presence of MetS in Kuwaiti adolescents. Conclusions: The IDF gave higher values for the prevalence of MetS than the ATP III. Using either criterion, this information obtained in this study is important in planning strategies for prevention and control of this disorder.

Suicidal Ideation among Depressed People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, West Africa

Objective: Transient suicide thoughts are common to some people throughout the course of HIV disease and often do not indicate significant risk of suicide. However, persistent suicidal thoughts with associated feelings of hopelessness and intent to die are very serious and must be assessed promptly and carefully. The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine the relationship between depression, hopelessness, psychosocial stressors and suicidal ideation in PLWHAs. Methods: This was a hospital based, cross sectional, descriptive study, of one hundred and seventy depressed adult HIV/AIDS patients of Kwara State Specialist Hospital, Ilorin. Depression and suicidal assessment were evaluated using the PHQ-9 scale. A score of >9 or any affirmative response to question 9 of the PHQ-9 scale necessitated suicidal risk assessment. The social determinant questionnaire was used to evaluate social cohesion and negative life events. Results: The prevalence of depression among the HIV/AID patient was 56.7%. Twenty nine (17.1%) were hopeless, twenty eight (16.5%) had at one time or the other thought of taking their lives, six (3.5%) had plan to take their lives. There was strong statistical association between depression, hopelessness (p-value = 0.000) thought of taking life (p-value = 0.000) and plan to take their lives (p-value = 0.030). Conclusion: The significant correlations between hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation are important markers that should alert clinicians to underlying suicide risk in HIV-positive patients. In addition, low social cohesion and stressful life events were found to be risk factors for depression and suicide. Clinicians should routinely enquire about suicidality in PLWHAs to assist early diagnosis and intervention.

Multi-family therapy for veteran and refugee families: a Delphi study

Background: Research indicates that Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) has an extensive impact on family relationships. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of empirically supported interventions addressing family functioning and PTSD. In the Netherlands, it is considered good clinical practice to offer multi-family therapy(MFT) to veteran and refugee families. MFT for traumatized families aims to address the dysfunctional family patterns that have evolved to address the consequences with trauma.Methods: The aim of this study is to generate a common framework for the practical impact and active ingredients of MFT in families confronted with trauma. The Delphi method was used to study the expert opinion of 11 therapists in Dutch expert trauma institutes.Results: The results indicate that MFT is a promising treatment for families dealing with the consequences of trauma. According to experts, positive outcomes include an increased understanding between family members,particularly visible in the de-escalation of conflicts within the family, and improved parenting. One explanation for the effectiveness of MFT with these target groups is its defining feature of therapy with several families.Conclusions: The findings support the importance of considering family relationships and the family context in interventions for traumatized individuals.

Proximal-distal motor unit number estimationdynamic changes in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis A one-year follow-up

BACKGROUND：Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis （ALS） is the most common of all the motor neuron diseases and the absence of a biologic marker has made both diagnosis and tracking evolution of the disease difficult, Electrodiagnostic tests play a fundamental role in quantifying pathological changes in the motor unit pool.OBJECTIVE：We assessed distal-proximal Motor Unit （MU） loss and changes using the method of motor unit number estimation （MUNE）.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING：A case-control study was performed at the Department of Neuroscience, Pisa University Medical School, Italy from December 1999 to November 2009. PARTICIPANTS：A total of 50 ALS patients were recruited, 30 males：mean age （59.6 ± 13.3） years; 20 females：mean age （63.9 ± 11.7） years; range （30-82） years; all patients had probable or definite ALS. Thirty healthy volunteers were recruited from department staffs, including 20 males and 10 females; mean age （57.7 ± 13.8） years served as controls.METHODS：MUNE was performed for both the biceps brachii and abductor digiti minimi muscles of the same side. The technique used relayed substantially on manual incremental stimulation of the motor nerve, known as the McComas technique （50 ms sweep duration, a gain of 2 mV/Div for M wave, 0.5 mV/Div for each step; filters 10-20 kHz）.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：MUNE results were measured.RESULTS：Functioning MU numbers, measured by MUNE, decreased in the biceps brachii and abductor digiti minimi muscles over the entire one-year follow-up period （one assessment every three months） compared with baseline determination, the rate of MU decrease was similar in both muscles, but steeper distally.CONCLUSION：MUNE is a feasible method for ALS patients both proximally and distally to track changes over time in muscle MUs during the disease＇s evolution.

自然光照更有利有机蛋鸡生产

小母鸡早期暴露在不同光照类型下可能对后期母鸡转群至产蛋设备后的行为产生影响，瑞典农业科学大学研究者对此做了个试验，他们将84只鸡平均分成2个处理组，每个处理组6个群体，每个群体7只小鸡。2个处理组处理分别为：8小时白炽光照＋16小时无光照（18）和8小时自然光照＋16小时无光照（N8），其余饲养一致，到14周龄时鸡群体活动水平被记录并通过一线性混合模型进行分析，

The multifaceted potential of the lipid transmitter oleoylethanolamide to treat alcohol-induced neuroinflammation and alcohol use disorders

Is there a need for new pharmacotherapies to treat alcohol use disorders(AUDs)?AUD is a highly prevalent condition in the world population that causes medical,psychological,personal,social and economic problems.The most severe dimension of AUDs is alcohol dependence,a condition in which individuals lose control over alcohol intake despite the negative consequences.Although some medications have been approved for this purpose,existing pharmacotherapies are not effective for all people due to the heterogeneity of AUDs.Current approved medications include:Disulfiram(Antabuse^?),which induces an aversion to drink by increasing alcohol metabolism-derived acetaldehyde;Naltrexone(ReVia^?,Vivitrol^?),a competitive opioid antagonist forμ-receptors that decreases heavy drinking and prevents relapse;Acamprosate(Campral^?),an indirect partial agonist at N-methyl-D-aspartic acid glutamate receptors and antagonist at metabotropic glutamate receptors that is used to prevent relapse in detoxified alcoholics.

The relationship between chronic PTSD,cortical volumetry and white matter microstructure among Australian combat veterans

Background:Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD)has been associated with volumetric and white matter microstructural changes among general and veteran populations.However,regions implicated have greatly varied and often conflict between studies,potentially due to confounding comorbidities within samples.This study compared grey matter volume and white matter microstructure among Australian combat veterans with and without a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD,in a homogenous sample assessed for known confounding comorbidities.Methods:Sixty-eight male trauma-exposed veterans(16 PTSD-diagnosed;mean age 69 years)completed a battery of psychometric assessments and underwent magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging.Analyses included tractbased spatial statistics,voxel-wise analyses,diffusion connectome-based group-wise analysis,and volumetric analysis.Results:Significantly smaller grey matter volumes were observed in the left prefrontal cortex(P=0.026),bilateral middle frontal gyrus(P=0.021),and left anterior insula(P=0.048)in the PTSD group compared to controls.Significant negative correlations were found between PTSD symptom severity and fractional anisotropy values in the left corticospinal tract(R^(2)=0.34,P=0.024)and left inferior cerebellar peduncle(R^(2)=0.62,P=0.016).No connectome-based differences in white matter properties were observed.Conclusions:Findings from this study reinforce reports of white matter alterations,as indicated by reduced fractional anisotropy values,in relation to PTSD symptom severity,as well as patterns of reduced volume in the prefrontal cortex.These results contribute to the developing profile of neuroanatomical differences uniquely attributable to veterans who suffer from chronic PTSD.

Associations of self-reported and device-assessed physical activity with fatigue,quality of life,and sleep quality in adults living with and beyond cancer

Background Greater physical activity is associated with improved outcomes in people living with and beyond cancer.However,most studies in exercise oncology use self-reported measures of physical activity.Few have explored agreement between self-reported and device-based measures of physical activity in people living with and beyond cancer.This study aimed to describe physical activity in adults affected by cancer across self-reported and device-assessed activity,to explore levels of agreement between these measures in terms of their utility for categorizing participants as meeting/not meeting physical activity guidelines,and to explore whether meeting guidelines is associated with fatigue,quality of life,and sleep quality.Methods A total of 1348 adults living with and beyond cancer from the Advancing Survivorship Cancer Outcomes Trial completed a survey assessing fatigue,quality of life,sleep quality,and physical activity.The Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to calculate a Leisure Score Index(LSI)and an estimate of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA).Average daily steps and weekly aerobic steps were derived from pedometers worn by participants.Results The percentage of individuals meeting physical activity guidelines was 44.3%using LSI,49.5%using MVPA,10.8%using average daily steps,and 28.5%using weekly aerobic steps.Agreement(Cohen'sκ)between self-reported and pedometer measures ranged from 0.13(LSI vs.average daily steps)to 0.60(LSI vs.MVPA).After adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related covariates,meeting activity guidelines using all measures was associated with not experiencing severe fatigue(odds ratios(ORs):1.43–1.97).Meeting guidelines using MVPA was associated with no quality-of-life issues(OR=1.53).Meeting guidelines using both self-reported measures were associated with good sleep quality(ORs:1.33–1.40).Conclusion Less than half of all adults affected by cancer are meeting physical activity guidelines,regardless of measure.Meeting guidelines is associated with lower fatigue across all measures.Associations with quality of life and sleep differ depending on measure.Future research should consider the impact of physical activity measure on findings,and where possible,use multiple measures.

Examination of the Illness Representations among Children with T1DM in Relation to Mental Health Factors

The most common comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)are depression,anxiety and behavioral disorders.Patients with comorbid psychopathology are less capable of psychically adjusting to the new life situation resulting from T1DM,which may negatively affect glycemic control and adherence related to the treatment.We aimed to investigate the association between mental health and type 1 diabetes including illness representation.115 children and adolescents with T1DM were recruited through the outpatient clinic in Debrecen,Hungary.Measures:PRISM-D,Child Depression Inventory(CDI),Cantril Ladder and Self-Rated Health,Glycosylaeted haemoglobin(HbA1C)were measured.Children having depressive symptoms drew fewer circles with less area.Children not drawing any important relationships possessed more depressive symptoms.Those diagnosed at a younger age displayed smaller distance between the Self-and Illness-circles.The PRISM-D test can be a promising tool to analyse emotional and cognitive representations and the psychological burden of T1DM.