Nevin Manimala

Healthc Technol Lett. 2024 Nov 25;11(6):318-326. doi: 10.1049/htl2.12099. eCollection 2024 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Accurate intra-operative Remaining Surgery Duration (RSD) predictions allow for anaesthetists to more accurately decide when to administer anaesthetic agents and drugs, as well as to notify hospital staff to send in the next patient. Therefore, RSD plays an important role in improved patient care and minimising surgical theatre costs via efficient scheduling. In endoscopic pituitary surgery, it is uniquely challenging due to variable workflow sequences with a selection of optional steps contributing to high variability in surgery duration. This article presents PitRSDNet for predicting RSD during pituitary surgery, a spatio-temporal neural network model that learns from historical data focusing on workflow sequences. PitRSDNet integrates workflow knowledge into RSD prediction in two forms: (1) multi-task learning for concurrently predicting step and RSD; and (2) incorporating prior steps as context in temporal learning and inference. PitRSDNet is trained and evaluated on a new endoscopic pituitary surgery dataset with 88 videos to show competitive performance improvements over previous statistical and machine learning methods. The findings also highlight how PitRSDNet improves RSD precision on outlier cases utilising the knowledge of prior steps.

PMID:39720757 | PMC:PMC11665798 | DOI:10.1049/htl2.12099

J Health Popul Nutr. 2024 Dec 24;43(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s41043-024-00692-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Foodborne illness is a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh. Young adults, aged 18-26 (including undergraduates and recent graduates), are especially vulnerable to the onset of unhealthy eating habits and nutritional imbalances as they begin living independently, often away from their families. This research aims to identify the risk factors associated with the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to safe food handling among residential university students. By understanding these factors, the study seeks to inform strategies to improve food safety behaviors in this at-risk population.

METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was administered through a simple random sampling survey of 250 students at Jahangirnagar University to collect primary data on food safety practices, attitudes, and knowledge. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to examine associations between the responses and predictor variables. To further assess the statistical significance and strength of these relationships, logistic regression analyses were performed. These methods provided a comprehensive evaluation of the factors influencing safe food handling behaviors among the students.

RESULTS: The survey found that most participants were from rural areas (44.4%) and female students (65.2%). Multicollinearity issues were not detected, and predictor factors explained 53.8% (Nagelkerke R-square: 0.538) of the variation in food poisoning incidents. Overall, 57.6% of students reported being prone to food poisoning. Risk factors for food poisoning included being in the third year of study (OR: 3.493, CI: 0.394-30.972), consuming food during a blackout based on its appearance or scent (OR: 4.824, CI: 0.690-33.715), and believing food should be refrigerated for five to seven days (OR: 2.309, CI: 0.318-16.778). Conversely, students who stored raw meat or fish on the middle shelf (OR: 0.078, CI: 0.012-0.511) and those who thought leftover food should be kept in the fridge for more than seven days (OR: 0.034, CI: 0.002-0.626) were less likely to experience food poisoning. These findings highlight behaviors that influence foodborne illness risk among students.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found that while students in Bangladesh demonstrate a strong understanding of food handling, there has been insufficient focus on food safety education in the country. Based on these findings, the authors recommend enhancing awareness of key food safety risks and integrating this knowledge into both short- and long-term initiatives. To ensure lasting improvements in food safety, sustained and effective interventions are essential. These efforts will accelerate progress toward achieving the sustainable development goals related to public health in Bangladesh.

PMID:39719654 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-024-00692-3

BMC Psychol. 2024 Dec 24;12(1):776. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02278-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study examined how university students’ social media use is related to their mental health (subjective well-being [SWB] and loneliness) and perceived physical health. A cognitive bias model and a social network mediation model were used to compare social capital formed via face-to-face and online communication, considering the effects of personality traits (i.e., social skills, generalized trust, and social tolerance).

METHODS: We conducted a self-report survey with 409 university students in Japan from August to September 2022. Four patterns of social media use were analyzed: (1) Twitter only, (2) LINE + Twitter, (3) Instagram + Twitter, and (4) Discord + Twitter. Relationships between the variables were investigated with a structural equation modeling analysis using SmartPLS 4.0.

RESULTS: Overall, regardless of social media use patterns, personality traits had positive direct effects on mental health and also had positive effects on social capital via face-to-face (FTF) communication, which had mediating effects on the improvement of mental health. FTF social capital had a positive relationship with online social capital, which did not have relationships with mental or perceived physical health. Additionally, perceived physical health decreased loneliness but was not associated with SWB. Social media use negatively affected perceived physical health but had no effect on SWB or loneliness. Finally, different relationships between personality traits and social media use, FTF social capital and SWB, social media use and perceived physical health were observed among the four patterns of social media use.

CONCLUSION: This study has implications for improving the health of young adults in the “mobile x social era.” In particular, we provide suggestions to help young adults improve their mental health.

PMID:39719653 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-024-02278-4

J Health Popul Nutr. 2024 Dec 24;43(1):226. doi: 10.1186/s41043-024-00725-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The link between regional body fat distribution and overactive bladder (OAB) in prior epidemiological research has been uncertain. Our objective is to assess the relationship between increased regional body fat and the prevalence of OAB.

METHODS: Within this analysis, 8,084 individuals aged 20 years and older were selected from NHANES surveys conducted from 2011 to 2018. The evaluation of OAB symptoms utilized the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS). Fat mass (FM) across various regions was quantified employing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, which assessed total FM, trunk FM, arm FM, and leg FM. The fat mass index (FMI) was calculated as the ratio of fat mass (kg) to the square of height (meters). Data weighting was performed in accordance with analysis guidelines. A linear logistic regression model was employed to assess the correlation between regional FMI and the occurrence of OAB. Stratified analyses were also conducted.

RESULTS: The study found significant associations between total FMI and limb FMI with OAB. After adjusting for all variables in the analysis, higher total FMI (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02-1.12) was linked to an increased risk of OAB. Trunk FMI (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.03-1.22), arm FMI (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.20-2.10), and leg FMI (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01-1.25) demonstrated significant correlations with OAB. The weighted associations between total FMI and limb FMI with OAB incidence showed no significant differences among most subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS: The data indicates a correlation between higher regional FMI and increased OAB risk across different populations.

PMID:39719652 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-024-00725-x

BMC Psychol. 2024 Dec 24;12(1):778. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02283-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Traditional cognitive assessments, often reliant on paper-and-pencil tests and professional evaluators, suffer from subjectivity and limited result discrimination. This study introduces the Baguan Online Cognitive Assessment System (BOCAS), a tablet-based system that evaluates both general cognitive ability (GCA) and domain-specific functions across six domains: sensory-motor skills, processing speed, sustained attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and spatial ability.

METHODS: BOCAS was validated with 151 healthy Chinese adults aged 18-40. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to validate the model. The GCA score was correlated with the Raven IQ test and self-reported cognitive flexibility, and its relationship with negative emotions (depression and anxiety) was examined.

RESULTS: BOCAS showed satisfactory reliability, with internal consistency ranging from 0.712 to 0.846 and test-retest reliability from 0.56 to 0.71. Factor analysis revealed a common factor explaining 40% of the variance, and CFA indicated a good model fit (χ²/df = 1.81; CFI = 0.932). The GCA score strongly correlated with the Raven IQ test (r = 0.58) and was related to self-reported cognitive flexibility and negative emotions.

CONCLUSION: BOCAS offers a digital solution for cognitive assessment, providing automated, remote, and precise evaluations. It demonstrates reliability, validity, and potential for use in clinical and research settings.

PMID:39719650 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-024-02283-7

BMC Psychol. 2024 Dec 24;12(1):780. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02300-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Suicide prevention programs delivered in school settings have been shown to reduce suicide attempts and ideation among adolescents. School-based digital interventions targeting at-risk youth are a promising avenue for suicide prevention, and some evidence has shown that blending digital and face-to-face components may improve the effectiveness. However, further evidence is needed, especially in Latin America, where mental health support is limited. We tested the effectiveness of the Reframe-IT+, a blended cognitive behavioral indicated intervention to reduce suicidal ideation, designed to be delivered in school settings. It includes 13 sessions, combining eight internet-based sessions and five face-to-face sessions.

METHODS: We conducted a cluster RCT and delivered the Reframe-IT + among secondary students attending Years 9-11. We recruited 21 schools that were randomized into two groups: (1) Intervention Reframe-IT + Group (IG) (n = 863) and (2) Control Group (CG) (n = 683). All consented students completed online screening self-reported questionnaires at baseline. The primary outcome was suicidal ideation . Additionally, we tested the impact of the intervention on depressive and anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and emotion regulatory strategies, including social solving-problems skills, behavioral activation, cognitive reappraisal, and emotion suppression. A total of 303 students (IG, n = 164; CG, n = 139) were identified as at risk and eligible for inclusion in the study. From those, 224 students (IG, n = 123; CG, n = 101) and their caregivers were interviewed to confirm inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 48 and 47 students were allocated to control and intervention groups, respectively, and answered the online questionnaires at post-intervention. We performed an intention-to-treat analysis using repetitive measures and multilevel regression analyses.

RESULTS: We found a significant reduction in suicidal ideation (b=-6.7, p = 0.015, Cohen´s d = 0.49), depressive (b=-3.1, p = 0.002, Cohen´s d = 0.81) and anxiety (b=-2.60, p < 0.001, Cohen´s d = 0.72) symptoms, and hopelessness (b=-3.7, p < 0.001, Cohen´s d = 0.70) in the intervention group compared to the control group at post-intervention. We also found improvement in solving-problems skills (b=-1.6, p = 0.002, Cohen´s d = 0.58), behavioral activation (b = 2.8, p = 0.019, Cohen´s d = 0.47), and cognitive reappraisal (b = 2.2, p = 0.029, Cohen´s d = 0.53). In the exploration of the intervention mechanisms concerning suicidal ideation, the total indirect effect of the intervention (b = -5.727923; p = 0.008) was significant, whereas the direct effect (b = – 0.03195473, p = 0.903) was not significant (Suppl 2, Table 1). Problem-solving skill (b=-2.84, p = 0.016) was a significant mediator of intervention effects on suicidal ideation (Path a*b).

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first clustered RCT evaluation of the effectiveness of a blended indicated intervention to prevent suicidality in school settings in Latin America. This is the first step to informing policymakers to scale up an effective intervention for an important public health problem.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT05229302. Registered on January 27th, 2022.

PMID:39719648 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-024-02300-9

Health Res Policy Syst. 2024 Dec 24;22(1):176. doi: 10.1186/s12961-024-01268-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is widespread enthusiasm for scaling interventions to strengthen health systems. However, little is known about the scalability of such interventions in Africa. In this study, we seek to assess the scalability of interventions for improving the functionality of health systems in Africa, as a key to large-scale implementation strategy of interventions with potential for impact.

METHODS: The study will deploy a multi-pronged approach, grounded in an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach. First, a multidisciplinary steering committee will be established, involving key female and male stakeholders in all stages of our study from its inception and as equal members of the research team for overseeing the project. Second, as part of the RAND/University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Appropriateness Method, evidence from a published systematic review will be used to develop the African Scalability Assessment Framework (AFROSAF), a series of multiple attributes for assessing the ability to scale a health system intervention in Africa. Third, the content of the AFROSAF will be validated using Delphi survey (within a deliberative dialogue) following the Lavis’ framework for knowledge transfer and a conceptual framework developed by Boyko et al. a multi-stakeholder consensus exercise with experts from Africa will be convened. The Likert scaled scalability attributes developed will be rated and descriptive statistics and hierarchical cluster analysis will be used to synthesize the data. Finally, document analyses will be conducted to rate to which extent each intervention has data that meet criteria responding to the essential components of scalability using the AFROSAF. We will conduct an analysis to score and rank each intervention for scalability.

DISCUSSION: This project proposes an approach aiming to catalyse the scale of interventions for effective functionality of health systems in Africa. The process will yield a scalability assessment tool for Africa and inventory scalable interventions. The findings will help African countries and policymakers understand the parameters to use and assess health system interventions for scaling.

PMID:39719642 | DOI:10.1186/s12961-024-01268-7

BMC Psychol. 2024 Dec 24;12(1):777. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02273-9.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate a range of insomnia-related factors, including difficulty with sleep induction, nocturnal awakenings, early awakenings, total sleep time, overall sleep quality, well-being, functioning, and daytime drowsiness, to determine which variables were significantly associated with subsequent adolescent suicide attempts.

METHOD: A total of 782 students aged 11-16 years old from one middle school in Changsha, China completed the survey at baseline and 6 months follow-up with a prospective cohort design. The binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between insomnia variables and suicide attempts during the 6 months follow-up.

RESULTS: The new incidence rate of suicide attempts was 4.60% (36/782) at 6-month follow-up. Insomnia was a significant predictor of incident suicide attempts (OR = 6.00; 95%CI, 2.47-14.60). After adjusting for age, gender, nationality, stress, anxiety and depression, insomnia was found to predict suicide attempts only among female (OR = 4.28; 95%CI, 1.41-12.98) and only nocturnal sleep disruption was significantly associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts (OR = 2.74; 95%CI, 1.32-5.71).

CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal sleep disruption are independently associated with increased risk of suicide attempts. Intervention for nocturnal sleep disruption may be important for early identification as well as prevention of adolescent suicide, especially among adolescent girls.

PMID:39719641 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-024-02273-9

BMC Res Notes. 2024 Dec 24;17(1):383. doi: 10.1186/s13104-024-07057-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Measles is a very contagious illness that can be clinically diagnosed and intervened quickly. It is caused by the measles virus Morbillivirus. The disease has a case fatality rate of 5% to 10% in the sub-Saharan region. Recent information on measles forecasting is limited in this study area. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the five-year trend and next five-year prediction of measles disease in East Gojjam zone, Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), Ethiopia, 2023.

METHODS: A descriptive study using case based surveillance data analysis in the East Gojjam zone was conducted. Five-year data (January 1/2018-December 30/2022) was extracted from the WHO database. ARIMA (3, 1, 1) model was used for disease forecasting for the next 5 years of the zone (2023-2027).

RESULTS: For the study, 1003 participants in total were enlisted. 12.3% of the subjects were IgM positive. About 59.4% and 1.2% were epidemiologically linked and died subjects, respectively. Many of the cases (54.2%) occurred in the March season and the lowest (1%) in December. For the next five years (2024-2027), it is predicted that the number of cases will rise gradually in fluctuation.

CONCLUSION: The disease had an upward trend over the five-year period, and for the next consecutive years, there will be a consistent increase in the number of cases in the zone. It is recommended that the East Gojjam Zone Health Office and different stakeholders have to monitor and evaluate the vaccination status of target children and vaccination coverage and strengthen the surveillance system in the dry-hot season, which is valuable for disease control.

PMID:39719640 | DOI:10.1186/s13104-024-07057-3

BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Dec 24;24(1):947. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-06312-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study explored the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), physical pain, and depressive symptoms, and examined the mediating role of pain in the correlation between ACE and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese (over the age of 45).

METHODS: Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analysis the association between ACE, physical pain, and depressive symptoms. To assess the mediating role of physical pain in the relationship between ACE and depressive symptoms, mediation analysis was conducted. Indirect, direct, and total effects were estimated by combining mediation and outcome models, adjusting for relevant covariates. Bayesian network models were used to visually demonstrate the interrelations between factors influencing depressive symptoms, further verifying the association between ACE, physical pain, and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS: In the fully adjusted model, middle-aged and elderly individuals reporting ACE had a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms (hazard ratios [HR] and 95% confidence intervals [95% CI], 1.379 [1.266-1.503]). Compared to those without physical pain, individuals reporting severe physical pain were at an increased risk of depressive symptoms (HR [95% CI], 1.438 [1.235-1.673]). The risk was even higher for those with both ACE and severe physical pain compared to those with neither (HR [95% CI], 2.020 [1.630-2.505]). The intensity of pain explained 7.48% of the association between ACE and depressive symptoms, while the number of pain sites accounted for 7.86%.

CONCLUSIONS: Physical pain partially mediated the association between ACE and depressive symptoms. The study findings highlighted the importance of early screening and intervention for physical pain in middle-aged and older adults with ACE.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:39719627 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-024-06312-y