Tag: pubmed

Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2023 Nov 30;6(3):303-314. doi: 10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.4. eCollection 2023 Nov.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, the magnitude and intensity of reported natural and humanmade disasters have been rising globally with substantial mortality and long-term morbidity.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the health care providers’ knowledge, attitude and practices towards disaster and emergency preparedness at Ligula Regional Referral Hospital in Mtwara, Tanzania.

METHODS: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 94 health care providers; and a stratified sampling technique was employed to recruit the participants. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 25.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA) to determine the association between independent and dependent variables. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: More than half 50 (53.2%) and more than three-quarters 75 (79.8%) of the participants had adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards disaster and emergency preparedness respectively. Younger participants aged 20-29 years had 5.252 (95% CI 1.313-21.016) times higher odds of having adequate knowledge of disaster and emergency preparedness than the older groups.

CONCLUSIONS: More disaster and emergency preparedness training programs and clinical simulations are needed to enhance the competencies of health care providers in handling disastrous events efficiently.

PMID:40568652 | PMC:PMC12110494 | DOI:10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.4

Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2023 Nov 30;6(3):346-354. doi: 10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.8. eCollection 2023 Nov.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound imaging has been shown to improve maternal health outcomes through timely diagnosis of pregnancy problems. Despite ultrasound being vital for women’s management in pregnancy, studies have reported low awareness among African women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge and expectations of pregnant women in Harare about prenatal ultrasound.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 385 pregnant women was done at the ultrasound department of a private maternity hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 27.0 and Windows Excel were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS: The majority of women (85.4%) concurred that ultrasound scans are important during pregnancy, but most (79.3%) were not aware that congenital abnormalities can be detected through ultrasound. Despite low overall knowledge of congenital abnormalities, 80.2% of women were familiar with Down’s syndrome, and this knowledge tended to increase with higher education levels, although not statistically significant (linear-by-linear association = 0.057). The primary expectation of ultrasound scans among pregnant women was to confirm the expected delivery date, and gender determination, with the least expectation being a diagnosis of congenital abnormalities.

CONCLUSION: Knowledge levels were lower in our setting relative to other similar studies, and hence this underscores the need for further public education.

PMID:40568646 | PMC:PMC12110497 | DOI:10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.8

Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2023 Nov 30;6(3):290-302. doi: 10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.3. eCollection 2023 Nov.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Poorly controlled postoperative pain remains a significant challenge. Music is a safe, inexpensive, non-invasive intervention that can be used in managing pain in surgical patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate effectiveness of music intervention as an adjuvant therapy in attenuating postoperative pain among patients with tibia/fibula fractures.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional pre-test, post-test intervention study design was utilized to conduct a study involving 20 tibia-fibula patients, divided equally into intervention and control groups. Self-selected music was administered for 20 minutes to the intervention group once on day-3 after surgery. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 29.0. Descriptive statistics analyzed continuous and categorical data. T-test compared means of physiologic parameters and pain levels in pre-and post-intervention. ANCOVA established the relationship between music and post-intervention pain levels.

FINDINGS: Use of music alongside conventional therapy significantly reduced pain in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.014). Music had no statistically significant impact on the physiological parameters.

CONCLUSION: Music therapy is effective as an adjuvant therapy for pain management and can therefore reduce the use of analgesics among surgical patients.

PMID:40568645 | PMC:PMC12110506 | DOI:10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.3

Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2023 Nov 30;6(3):315-325. doi: 10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.5. eCollection 2023 Nov.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In pregnancy, women experience physiological changes which could increase the risk of insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome later in life. This study assessed the risk of future metabolic syndrome among pregnant women with either glycosuria or proteinuria at different gestational ages.

METHODS: Eight-Six participants were recruited from health facilities in South-west, Nigeria and they were in three categories: those with glycosuria (n = 32), proteinuria (n = 27), and control (n = 27), based on urinalysis result. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 25.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Groups were compared using one way ANOVA. Association between the variables was determined using Pearson correlation. Linear regression analysis was performed to predict the risk of future metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS: Participants with glycosuria, proteinuria and control were 29.19 (SD 6.04), 27.15 (SD 4.37) and 25.74 (SD 4.67) years respectively. Glycosuria group had higher (P = 0.01) triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and a-positive association (P = 0.001) between, FBG and HBA1C. Linear regression analysis predicted future risk of metabolic syndrome (P< 0.05) for those with glycosuria and proteinuria respectively with their plasma insulin values.

CONCLUSION: Healthy volunteers with glycosuria and proteinuria are at greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

PMID:40568643 | PMC:PMC12110505 | DOI:10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.5

J Nutr Sci. 2025 Jun 10;14:e38. doi: 10.1017/jns.2025.23. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Phase Angle (PhA) has emerged as an important parameter to monitor body composition, fluid status, muscle integrity, and physical performance among athletes. However, limited information exists regarding the associations between PhA and dietary intake, especially in athletes. This study aimed to identify the dietary intake components associated with PhA in athletes. This cross-sectional observational study was carried out with 153 athletes across 17 sports. Body composition was assessed by tetrapolar multifrequency BIA, and dietary intake by 24-hour dietary recalls administered on non-consecutive days. Reported foods and supplements were categorised into different groups (i.e. cereals, vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts, meat and eggs, dairy products, oils, and sugars), with portions established based on the food’s total energy content. Fat-free mass and fat-free mass index were higher in male compared to female athletes, potentially influencing PhA (6.6º vs 5.5º; P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that protein intake was a significant predictor of PhA in athletes. This association remained significant even after adjustments for sex, age, and fat-free mass (R² = 0.48, β = 0.27, P = 0.02). The positive correlation observed between dietary protein and PhA reinforces the need for adequate daily protein intake to enhance PhA in athletes. Further studies investigating the effect of diet-induced changes in PhA within the athletic population are necessary.

PMID:40568622 | PMC:PMC12187483 | DOI:10.1017/jns.2025.23

J Nutr Sci. 2025 Jun 4;14:e41. doi: 10.1017/jns.2025.24. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have negative health consequences. Food insecurity and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are associated with higher UPF intake in U.S. adults, but this has not been examined in U.S. adolescents. This study assesses associations between food security status and SNAP participation with UPF intake in 3,067 adolescents aged 12-19 years with household incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty line from the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. UPF is defined using the Nova classification and measured as a percentage of daily total energy intake (TEI). High food security, marginal food security, or food insecurity status was determined through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s eighteen-item Household Food Security Survey. SNAP participation was deemed affirmative if the household reported receiving SNAP benefits in the last year. Multivariable linear regressions that controlled for TEI and sociodemographic covariates and accounted for the complex survey design examined associations between food insecurity and SNAP participation with UPF intake. In the sample, the prevalence of marginal food security was 15.9%, the prevalence of food insecurity was 33.8%, and the prevalence of SNAP participation was 36.5%. After multivariate adjustment, there were no significant differences in UPF intake by food security status. Adolescents participating in SNAP consumed 2.7% higher UPF intake (95% CI: 0.1%, 5.2%, p = 0.04) compared to adolescents not participating in SNAP. Among lower-income U.S. adolescents, SNAP participation but not food security status was associated with higher UPF intake. Programs and policies promoting the intake of more healthful, minimally processed foods should be strengthened.

PMID:40568620 | PMC:PMC12187485 | DOI:10.1017/jns.2025.24

J Nutr Sci. 2025 Jun 16;14:e43. doi: 10.1017/jns.2025.10013. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Interest in probiotics and prebiotics in sports nutrition is growing, but research on Jordanian athletes remains limited. While gut microbiota influences athletic performance, little is known about athletes’ understanding and use of probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods in this region. This exploratory study investigates the knowledge, dietary habits, and correlations with gastrointestinal (GI) problems among Jordanian athletes to inform future research and interventions. The study provides insights into how awareness and consumption of gut-supportive foods can impact GI health, offering broader nutritional implications for global dietary strategies for athletes. A standardised questionnaire was administered to 324 athletes (ages 18-22) to assess knowledge, dietary practices, and GI symptoms. Descriptive statistics summarised the data, and chi-square tests examined associations among knowledge, diet, and GI symptoms (p < 0.05). Knowledge and diet were scored based on correct responses and reported intake of gut-supporting foods. Results showed that 55.9% of athletes were familiar with probiotics and 32.1% with prebiotics. The majority reported low consumption of probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods, with 72.2% scoring low on diet intake. Although 60.5% seldom consumed fast food, overall intake of gut-supportive foods was limited. No statistically significant associations were found, but a weak positive trend between dietary habits and GI symptoms was observed, suggesting diet may have a modest influence on GI health. Living arrangements influenced both dietary choices and GI symptoms. This study highlights the need for targeted nutrition education to improve awareness and intake of probiotics and prebiotics, potentially supporting GI health and enhancing athletic performance.

PMID:40568619 | PMC:PMC12187486 | DOI:10.1017/jns.2025.10013

Mayo Clin Proc Digit Health. 2025 Apr 16;3(2):100222. doi: 10.1016/j.mcpdig.2025.100222. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, efficiency, and usability of the current iteration of the fully automatic Academic Information Manager (AIM) within the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: AIM was designed, developed, and deployed to address the growing need for digital information management in academic research. In a randomized, unblinded crossover study from April 1, 2020 to August 1, 2020, 15 participants completed 8 tasks using both AIM and conventional information retrieval methods. We assessed task completion time (efficiency), task completion status and accuracy (efficacy), subjective mental workload using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and system usability using System Usability Scale questionnaire, with and without AIM.

RESULTS: Using AIM resulted in a significant time saving, with significantly higher task completion (99% vs 57%) and accuracy (99% vs 59%) compared with conventional methods. The NASA-TLX scores with AIM showed a statistically significant decrease in mental demand, temporal demand, effort, and frustration, along with an increase in performance, compared with those without AIM. The System Usability Scale score for AIM was above the 90th percentile.

CONCLUSION: Using AIM, we observed a significant increase in efficacy and efficiency, along with a decreased mental workload, as measured by NASA-TLX, and improved usability scores. Implementing AIM will help new investigators quickly and intuitively identify ongoing research at our institution. It will also enable them to broadcast their research interests to find potential collaborators.

PMID:40568607 | PMC:PMC12190904 | DOI:10.1016/j.mcpdig.2025.100222

Front Immunol. 2025 Jun 11;16:1556259. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1556259. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral blood immune cell profiles of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are still unclear under different disease states and after B cell depletion therapy. Moreover, NMOSD is often confused with multiple sclerosis (MS) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD). The study aims to illustrate peripheral blood immune cell profiles of NMOSD under different disease states, after B cell depletion therapy, and compared with MS and MOGAD.

METHODS: This study included 76 NMOSD patients, 20 MS patients, and 12 MOGAD patients in the acute phase, along with 37 controls whose sex and age were matched with NMOSD patients. Forty-two of 76 patients with acute NMOSD were followed in remission, of whom 13, 15, and 11 patients received rituximab treatment, inebilizumab treatment, or conventional immunosuppressive therapies alone, respectively. The levels of diverse peripheral blood immune cells were measured by blood routine examination and flow cytometry. Distinctions among groups were analyzed using statistical methods.

RESULTS: Compared with controls and NMOSD patients in remission, there was an elevation in the levels of neutrophils, platelets, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and systemic inflammation index in acute NMOSD patients, while a decline was observed in the levels of lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4+ T cells, and CD4/CD8 ratio. NMOSD had increased levels of platelets and platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and decreased levels of eosinophils, basophils, CD4/CD8 ratio, and CD3+CD4+ T cells compared with MS. NMOSD had decreased levels of eosinophils, basophils, and CD19+ B cells, along with elevated platelet/lymphocyte ratio compared with MOGAD. After rituximab treatment, not only did CD19+ B cell level decrease, but eosinophil counts also increased. After inebilizumab treatment, not only did CD19+ B cell level decrease, but also the ratios of CD3+ T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells increased. The quantity and ratios of eosinophils in rituximab group surpassed those in inebilizumab group.

DISCUSSION: Peripheral blood immune cell profiles of acute NMOSD patients showed widespread distinctions compared to those of remission NMOSD patients, acute MS patients, acute MOGAD patients, and controls, as well as after differential therapies. Our findings provide clues to comprehensively understand the abnormality of the dynamic and integrated immune network in NMOSD, distinguish NMOSD from MS and MOGAD, and search for more effective and safe therapeutic targets.

PMID:40568579 | PMC:PMC12187656 | DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2025.1556259

R Soc Open Sci. 2025 Jun 25;12(6):242001. doi: 10.1098/rsos.242001. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

We present a scoping review of methodological papers in the social science literature covered in Scopus from 2017 to 2022. In this review, we document the shared norms, ideals and practices regarding the quality of qualitative research methodology. More specifically, we examined the regularly proposed idea that qualitative methodology is so diverse that it is unfeasible to establish shared quality standards. Coding of 111 articles yielded 17 categories that relate to key topics discussed in publications on research quality in qualitative research, such as the quality of the research process, integrity, reflexivity, ethics and transparency. These codes reflect both established ideals and new developments. We conclude that articles in our sample have many shared values in common, but that these values at this point do not yet translate into shared research practices or a common core for quality evaluation.

PMID:40568558 | PMC:PMC12187396 | DOI:10.1098/rsos.242001