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Little is known about physical activity level and knee function including jump capacity and fear of movement/reinjury more than 20 years after injury of the anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL). Seventy persons with unilateral ACL injury participated (23 ± 2 years post-injury): 33 treated with physiotherapy in combination with surgical reconstruction ( ACLR), and 37 treated with physiotherapy alone ( ACLPT). These were compared with 33 age- and gender-matched controls. Assessment included knee-specific and general physical activity level [ Tegner activity scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire ( IPAQ)], knee function [ Lysholm score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score ( KOOS)], jump capacity (one-leg hop, vertical jump, side hops), and fear of movement/reinjury [ Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia ( TSK)]. Outcomes were related to degree of osteoarthritis ( OA). ACL-injured had lower Lysholm, KOOS, and Tegner scores than controls ( P < 0.001), while IPAQ score was similar. ACL-injured demonstrated inferior jump capacity in injured compared with noninjured leg (6-25%, P < 0.001- P = 0.010 in the different jumps), while noninjured leg had equal jump capacity as controls. ACL groups scored 33 ± 7 and 32 ± 7 of 68 on TSK. Lower scores on Lysholm and KOOS symptom were seen for persons with moderate-to-high OA than for no-or-low OA, while there were no differences for physical activity and jump capacity. Regardless of treatment, there are still negative knee-related effects of ACL injury more than 20 years later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term consequences on knee muscle strength some decades after rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL) are not established. The aims of our study were to examine peak torque more than 20 years after ACL injury and to compare their knee muscle strength to that of healthy controls. We tested 70 individuals with unilateral ACL injury 23 ± 2 years after injury, whereof 33 (21 men) were treated with physiotherapy in combination with ACL reconstruction ( ACLR) and 37 (23 men) with physiotherapy alone ( ACLPT). These were compared with 33 age- and gender-matched controls (21 men). A Kin- Com® dynamometer (90°/s) was used to measure peak torque in knee flexion and extension in both concentric and eccentric contractions. Knee extension peak torque, concentric and eccentric, was ∼10% lower for the injured leg compared with the non-injured leg for both ACLR ( P < 0.001; P < 0.001) and ACLPT ( P = 0.007; P = 0.002). The ACLPT group also showed reduced eccentric knee flexion torque of the injured leg ( P = 0.008). The strength of the non-injured leg in both ACL groups was equal to that of controls. No difference was seen for those with no-or-low degree of knee osteoarthritis compared to those with moderate-to-high degree of osteoarthritis. ACL injury may lead to a persistent reduction of peak torque in the injured leg, which needs to be considered across the lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The number of total shoulder arthroplasties (TSA) performed in the United States increases yearly. At the same time, cost containment in health care continues to be a major concern. Therefore, it is imperative to identify specific variables that affect the cost of shoulder arthroplasty. Methods The U.S. National Inpatient Sample database was queried (1993-2010) to evaluate total hospital charges for shoulder arthroplasty. Etiology of arthritis, multiple medical comorbidities, and patient and hospital demographics were evaluated for their effect on total inpatient hospital charges by a multivariate analysis. Results Hospital charges for TSA increased from 1993 to 2010. Gender, race, and obesity were not associated with these differences in hospital charges. Post-traumatic and rheumatoid arthritis resulted in increased hospital charges; however, osteoarthritis resulted in decreased charges from the baseline. Multiple comorbidities (diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and kidney disease) resulted in increased hospital charges after TSA. Regionally, the western and southern United States had the highest total charges above baseline. Larger hospitals and private urban hospitals also showed charges above baseline. Conclusions The factors related to increased hospital charges after TSA are multifactorial and include medical comorbidities, patient demographics, and regionalization. As the future of health care continues to evolve, it is important for practitioners, legislators, insurance administrators, and hospitals to recognize factors that increase costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Elderly and young patients alike are undergoing shoulder replacement at increased rates. In an era of outcomes reporting, risk adjustment, and cost containment, identifying patients likely to have adverse events is increasingly important. Our objective was to determine whether patient age is independently associated with postoperative in-hospital complications or increased hospital charges after shoulder arthroplasty. Methods We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to analyze 58,790 patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty between 2000 and 2008. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression modeling was used to compare groups. Our objective was to determine whether age had an independent impact on the likelihood of postoperative in-hospital complications, mortality rate, length of stay, or charges after shoulder arthroplasty. Results Patients aged 80 years or older had an increased in-hospital mortality rate (0.5%) compared with patients aged 50 to 79 years (0.1%) and patients aged younger than 50 years (0.1%). Predictors of death included female gender, total shoulder arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty, and Deyo score. Increased age was associated with slightly increased hospital charges. Length of stay was longer in patients aged 80 years or older compared with younger patients. After shoulder arthroplasty, postoperative anemia occurred more often in patients aged 80 years or older. Other postoperative complications including pulmonary embolism, infection, and cardiac complications were similar among groups. Conclusion Older patients tend to have longer hospital stays, an increased incidence of postoperative anemia, and slightly higher charges after shoulder arthroplasty. Advanced age is not associated with an increased incidence of pulmonary embolism, infection, and cardiac complications. Further research is warranted to explain the relationship between age and early postoperative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To evaluate nurses' knowledge of guidelines for preventing infections associated with peripheral venous catheters. Background Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections are an important tool to help healthcare professionals minimise the risk of infection. However, they are not always applied by nurses. The literature on this topic is limited, and no study examined this matter for peripheral venous catheters. Design This cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2011-June 2012. Methods The nurses' knowledge of peripheral venous catheter guidelines and its association with gender, experience, education and the ward membership was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results Sixteen hospitals from six regions of Italy participated, and 933 questionnaires were collected. Most participants were female (70·1%), undergraduate (51·8%), worked in medical (35·8%) and surgical departments (28·0%), and had >10 years of experience (55·0%). The median score on 10 questions was 6 of 10. A majority of nurses knew it is recommended to replace peripheral venous catheters routinely (90·0%), to perform an aseptic technique during connecting/disconnecting the infusive lines (55·2%), and to replace the administration set <24 hour when lipid emulsions have been infused (88·4%). Of note, 52·6% of nurses advocated the use of steel needles, a potentially dangerous practice. In multivariate analysis, a higher level of education and the area of work were associated with better test scores. Conclusion The sample of nurses' knowledge to some recommendations is frequently low. This could be a potential risk factor for patient safety. The results should sensitise healthcare managers to improve nursing training and education, according to clinical risk management perspectives. Relevance to clinical practice These data request for more emphasis on international guidelines in infection prevention initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) screening is vital, as it is linked to a greater likelihood of survival, more effective treatment, and better quality of life. One of the most extensively applied models for conceptualizing probable barriers and facilitators to the adoption of desired health behavior is the health belief model (HBM). This study aimed to assess the impact of health perception and knowledge on breast self-examination intention (BSE) using HBM. HBM measures specific factors (perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy) that impact one's intention to use BSE. Data were collected from female undergraduate students ( n = 680) using a cross-sectional design, stratified simple random sampling, and a self-administered structured online questionnaire. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate our assumptions for students who intended to self-examine for BC. For demographic factors, we modified the multivariate model. Most respondents (93%) were under the age of 24 years. Female students from health colleges (48.5%), in their fourth academic year (42.6%), and from the southern region (57.6%) accounted for the majority of the sample. Respondents with a family history of BC were 9.7% of the total. Categories for age, college, region, residency, and BSE intention showed significant differences in their average knowledge scores. The survey revealed that 72.4% were aware of abnormal breast changes. Three constructs of the health belief model (perceived benefit, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy) are good predictors of BSE intention. Theory-based behavioral change interventions are urgently required for students to improve their prevention practices. Furthermore, these interventions will be effective if they are designed to remove barriers to BSE intention, improve female students' self-efficacy, and enlighten them on the benefits of self-examination.

Orientation: The attitude of students toward statistics may influence their enrolment, achievement and motivation in the subject of research and Industrial Psychology. Research purpose: The aims of this study were to determine the reliability and validity of the survey of attitudes toward statistics (SATS-36) for a South African sample and to determine whether biographical variables influence students’ attitudes. Motivation for study: Students could be better prepared for, and guided through, a course in statistics if more is known about their attitudes towards statistics. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and the SATS-36 was administered to a sample of convenience consisting of 235 students enrolled in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at a large tertiary institution in South Africa. Main findings: Results revealed that even though students perceive statistics to be technical, complicated and difficult to master, they are interested in the subject and believe statistics to be of value. The degree to which students perceived themselves to be competent in mathematics was related to the degree to which they felt confident in their own ability to master statistics. Males displayed slightly more positive feelings toward statistics than females. Older students perceived statistics to be less difficult than younger students and also displayed slightly more positive feelings concerning statistics. Practical implications: It seems that in preparing students for statistics, their perception regarding their mathematical competence could be managed as well. Contribution: This study provides the first preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of the SATS-36 for a sample of South African students.

Objective Metabolic syndrome contains many risks for medical diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which might precipitate depressive symptoms in the older people. However, the association between depressive symptoms and metabolic syndrome in Japanese community-dwelling older people is unclear. This study was performed to answer this important question. Methods Cross-sectional analyses were performed on 3796 community-dwelling independent older people (≥65 years, 1911 men and 1885 women) from the 2007-2008 baseline examination of the Fujiwara-kyo study, a prospective cohort study on successful aging. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 2005 International Diabetes Federation. Covariates were social supports, negative life events, health behavior, education, cognitive function, anthropometric status, and others. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationships between depressive symptoms and these variables. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-15 ≥6) and metabolic syndrome were 14.8% and 16.6%, respectively. Significant protective factors against depressive symptoms were higher education, more opportunity for drinking of alcohol, better social supports, and more walking daily. Metabolic syndrome was statistically associated with depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 1.32, 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.68). Other risk factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms were sleep disturbance, visual or hearing impairment, and negative life events. Conclusions The present study showed an association between metabolic syndrome and depressive symptoms in ambulatory Japanese older people, as in western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Research findings on vocabulary development1 in children with Down syndrome are inconsistent. This study aimed to analyse the developmental trend of vocabulary growth in children with Down syndrome and the relationships between vocabulary and chronological and developmental age. Method Children's vocabulary size was assessed by a parental report (the Italian version of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories [CDI]). A longitudinal study, involving 18 children with Down syndrome, and a cross-sectional study, involving 27 children with Down syndrome, were conducted. Results The variability in children's vocabulary size increased from a chronological age of 36 months. Both vocabulary size (from 36 months) and developmental level (from 42 months) were significant predictors of lexical outcomes at 48 months. A comparison with normative data showed that children with Down syndrome had a significantly lower vocabulary size than typically developing children at the same developmental age. Conclusion Although there are similarities with vocabulary growth in typically developing children, lexical development in children with Down syndrome appears to lag behind their cognitive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Those who study social networks encounter an all-too-often conundrum in academia: the richness of data sets coupled with methodological complications. This article highlights three of the most salient issues facing social network scholars and potential ways of overcoming them. By discussing the quantitative measurement of the network in question, the specific variables under examination, and the overall goal(s) of the research project, readers will understand both the costs and rewards associated with an area of communication, psychology, and sociology scholarship that has existed and thrived for more than a half century. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim This article is a report of the development and testing of the hypothetical model that illustrates relationships between treatment adherence and its psychosocial influencing factors and to elucidate the direct and indirect (mediating) effects of factors on treatment adherence. Background Poor adherence has been consistently reported in haemodialysis patients. Much research has showed various influencing factors of adherence, but these studies have failed to identify consistent influencing factors. Design This study was performed using a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. Methods The study subjects were 150 end-stage renal failure patients on haemodialysis at a university hospital located in Incheon, South Korea. Data were collected over 10 months (June 2010-April 2011). Findings The hypothetical model provided a good fit with data. Haemodialysis-related knowledge, perceived barrier to adherence, self-efficacy on adherence, and healthcare provider support had significant effects on adherence. Self-efficacy was found to mediate barrier-adherence and family support-adherence relationships. Self-efficacy in combination with barrier, family support, and healthcare provider support was found to mediate the depression-adherence relationship. Conclusion Strategies aimed at the development of successful adherence interventions should focus on reducing perceived barriers and enhancing self-efficacy and knowledge. It can be suggested that efforts to improve the healthcare provider-patient relationship would enhance adherence. In depressive patients, strategies that promote self-efficacy and the support of family or healthcare providers could diminish the negative impact of depression on adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The incidence, mortality, and screening vary by race/ethnicity, with African Americans and Hispanics being disproportionately represented. Early detection through screening prolongs survival and decreases mortality. CRC screening (CRCS) varies by race/ethnicity, with lower prevalence rates observed among minorities, but the factors associated with such disparities remain to be fully understood. The current study aimed to examine the ethnic/racial disparities in the prevalence of CRCS, and the explanatory factors therein in a large sample of U.S. residents, using the National Health Interview Survey, 2003. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, epidemiologic design was used with a chi square to assess the prevalence of CRCS, while a survey logistic regression model was used to assess the odds of being screened. Results: There was a significant variability in CRCS, with minorities demonstrating lower prevalence relative to Caucasians χ² (3) = 264.4, p< 0.0001. After controlling for the covariates, racial/ethnic disparities in CRCS persisted. Compared to Caucasians, African Americans/Blacks were 28% (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [APOR] = 0.72, 99% CI, 0.60-0.80), while Hispanics were 33% (APOR, 0.67, 99% CI, 0.53-0.84) and Asians were 37% (APOR, 0.63, 99% CI, 0.43-0.95) less likely to be screened for CRC. Conclusion: Among older Americans, racial/ethnic disparities in CRCS exist, which was unexplained by racial/ethnic variance in the covariates associated with CRCS. These findings recommend further studies in enhancing the understanding of confounders and mediators of disparities in CRCS and the application of these factors including the health belief model in improving CRCS among ethnic/racial minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in an urban multi-ethnic cohort. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional design was used. People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the preceding 6 months were recruited from primary care practices in three adjacent inner-city boroughs of South London, serving a population in which 20% of residents are of black African or Caribbean ethnicity. Sociodemographic and biomedical data were collected by standardised clinical assessment and from medical records. Multiple logistic regression methods were used to report associations between ethnicity and diabetes-complication status. Results: From 96 general practices, 1,506 patients were recruited. Their mean age was 55.6 (±11.07) years, 55% were men, 60% were asymptomatic at diagnosis and 51%, 38% and 11% were of white, black and South Asian/other ethnicity, respectively. Compared with white participants, black and South Asian/other participants were: younger (mean age 58.9 [±10.09], 52.4 [±11.19] and 51.5 [±10.42] years, respectively; p < 0.0001); less likely to have neuropathy (10.1%, 3.6% and 4.4%; p < 0.0001) or report coronary artery disease (12.7%, 4.8% and 7.3%; p < 0.0001). In logistic regression, compared with white participants, black participants had lower levels of macrovascular complications (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.32, 0.84; p = 0.01). Male sex was independently associated with microvascular disease (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.26, 2.28; p < 0.0001). Conclusions/interpretation: The prevalence of complications at time of diagnosis was lower than expected, especially in black and South Asian/other ethnic groups. However, in multi-ethnic inner-city populations, onset of type 2 diabetes occurred almost 10 years earlier in non-white populations than in white participants, predicating a prolonged morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary The aim of the study was to get a picture of the self-reported health and physical activity among persons with psychiatric disabilities who were community healthcare users in a community in Sweden. This was carried out through a questionnaire., Out of 319 eligible persons, 103 persons answered the questionnaire. The answers from the questionnaire showed that this group has a high impact of unhealthy risk factors, such as excess weight, low amount of physical activity and a low perceived state of health., About 20% of the participants wanted help with filling out the questionnaire. This was because of difficulties apprehending some of the questions. Helping these participants with the answering process showed complications with this given questionnaire but also highlighted the special considerations related to cognitive difficulties entailed with mental illness. This underlines the need for reflection upon what questions we ask, to whom and how., The results of this study point out that persons with psychiatric disabilities constitute a vulnerable group, in need of adequate health-promoting activities based upon the individual's conditions., Abstract The aim of the study was to survey the self-reported health and physical activity in a sample of community mental healthcare users in a city of Sweden. The study was conducted through a cross-sectional design with participants requested to fill out a self-report questionnaire. Participants ( n = 103) were persons with psychiatric disabilities living in residential psychiatric settings and/or participating in daily activities provided by community mental healthcare services. The results showed that the group is affected with serious risk factors, such as high body mass index, low rated extent and frequency of physical activity and low self-estimated general state of health. Even though some difficulties associated with the answering process of this questionnaire emerged, these self-reported results clearly confirm the fact that persons with psychiatric disabilities constitute a vulnerable group in need for health-promoting caring activities and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have linked different genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to different blood lipids (BL), but whether these 'connections' were identified using cross-sectional or longitudinal (i.e., changes over time) designs has received little attention. Cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments of BL [total, high-, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC, HDL, LDL), triglycerides (TG)] and non-genetic factors (body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake) were measured for 2,002 Geneva, Switzerland, adults during 1999-2008 (two measurements, median 6 years apart), and 20 SNPs in 13 BL metabolism-related genes. Fixed and mixed effects repeated measures linear regression models, respectively, were employed to identify cross-sectional and longitudinal SNP:BL associations among the 1,516 (76%) study participants who reported not being treated for hypercholesterolemia at either measurement time. One-third more (12 vs. 9) longitudinal than cross-sectional associations were found [Bonferroni-adjusted two-tailed p < 0.00125 (=0.05/2)/20) for each of the four ensembles of 20 SNP:individual BL associations tested under the two study designs]. There was moderate consistency between the cross-sectional and longitudinal findings, with eight SNP:BL associations consistently identified across both study designs: [APOE.2 and APOE.4 (rs7412 and rs429358)]:TC; HL/LIPC (rs2070895):HDL; [APOB (rs1367117), APOE.2 and APOE.4 (rs7412 and rs429358)]:LDL; [APOA5 (rs2072560) and APOC III (rs5128)]:TG. The results suggest that cross-sectional studies, which include most genome-wide association studies (GWAS), can assess the large majority of SNP:BL associations. In the present analysis, which was much less powered than a GWAS, the cross-sectional study was around 2/3 (67%) as efficient as the longitudinal study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: International evidence indicates consistently lower rates of access and use of healthcare by international immigrants. Factors associated with this phenomenon vary significantly depending on the context. Some research into the health of immigrants has been conducted in Latin America, mostly from a qualitative perspective. This population-based study is the first quantitative study to explore healthcare provision entitlement and use of healthcare services by immigrants in Chile and compare them to the Chilean-born. Methods: Data come from the nationally representative CASEN (Socioeconomic characterization of the population in Chile) surveys, conducted in 2006 and 2009. Self-reported immigrants were compared to the Chilean-born, by demographic characteristics (age, sex, urban/rural, household composition, ethnicity), socioeconomic status (SES: education, household income, contractual status), healthcare provision entitlement (public, private, other, none), and use of primary services. Weighted descriptive, stratified and adjusted regression models were used to analyse factors associated with access to and use of healthcare. Results: There was an increase in self-reported immigrant status and in household income inequality among immigrants between 2006 and 2009. Over time there was a decrease in the rate of immigrants reporting no healthcare provision and an increase in reporting of private healthcare provision entitlement. Compared to the Chilean-born, immigrants reported higher rates of use of antenatal and gynaecological care, lower use of well-baby care, and no difference in the use of Pap smears or the number of attentions received in the last three months. Immigrants in the bottom income quintile were four times more likely to report no healthcare provision than their equivalent Chilean-born group (with different health needs, i.e. vertical inequity). Disabled immigrants were more likely to have no healthcare provision compared to the disabled Chilean-born (with similar health needs, i.e. horizontal inequity). Factors associated with immigrants' access to, and use of, healthcare were sex, urban/rural status, education and country of origin. Conclusion: There were significant associations between SES, and access to and use of healthcare among immigrants in Chile and a higher prevalence of no health care provision entitlement among poor and disabled immigrants compared to the Chilean-born. Changing associations between access and use of healthcare and SES among immigrants in Chile over time may reflect changes in their socio-demographic composition or in the survey methodology between 2006 and 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective. Examine health of preschoolers by BMI status. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis of children 3 to 5 years old in the 1999-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was carried out. The measured age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles were used to categorize children as very obese, obese, overweight, or healthy weight. The authors used logistic regression to examine the effect of weight status on 17 available measures of current child health potentially related to obesity. Results. Except for very obese children, weight status had minimal effect on most measures of health for preschool-aged children (n = 2792). Parents of very obese children reported poorer general health and more activity limitations for their children. Additionally, very obese girls had more frequent/severe headaches, and overweight/obese boys had more asthma diagnoses. Conclusions. Only severe obesity appears consistently related to immediate health problems in preschool-aged children. Parental perception that very obese children have worse health and more activity limitations may lead to decreases in physical activity, which would perpetuate obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of this cross-sectional study were to explore correlates of walking speed in a large wide age-ranged population and to identify factors affecting lower walking speed at older ages. Participants were 3,872 community-dwelling adults in the first follow-up of the SardiNIA study who completed a 4-m walking test. Sex-specific correlates of walking speed included marital status, height, waist circumference, pulse wave velocity, comorbidity, subjective health, strength, and personality. Effect modifiers of the age–walking speed association included extraversion (<55 years, p = .019) and education (<55 years, p = .021; ≥55 years, p = .012) in women, and openness (<55 years, p = .005), waist circumference (<55 years, p = .010), and subjective health (<55 years, p = .014) in men. The strong impact of personality suggests that certain personality traits may be associated with behaviors that affect physical performance and condition the reduced mobility mostly at younger ages. If these patterns are confirmed in longitudinal studies, personality may be an important target for prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Orientation: The attitude of students toward statistics may influence their enrolment, achievement and motivation in the subject of research and Industrial Psychology. Research purpose: The aims of this study were to determine the reliability and validity of the survey of attitudes toward statistics (SATS-36) for a South African sample and to determine whether biographical variables influence students' attitudes. Motivation for study: Students could be better prepared for, and guided through, a course in statistics if more is known about their attitudes towards statistics. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and the SATS- 36 was administered to a sample of convenience consisting of 235 students enrolled in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at a large tertiary institution in South Africa. Main findings: Results revealed that even though students perceive statistics to be technical, complicated and difficult to master, they are interested in the subject and believe statistics to be of value. The degree to which students perceived themselves to be competent in mathematics was related to the degree to which they felt confident in their own ability to master statistics. Males displayed slightly more positive feelings toward statistics than females. Older students perceived statistics to be less difficult than younger students and also displayed slightly more positive feelings concerning statistics. Practical implications: It seems that in preparing students for statistics, their perception regarding their mathematical competence could be managed as well. Contribution: This study provides the first preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of the SATS-36 for a sample of South African students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-determination theory provided the theoretical framework for a cross-sectional investigation of elementary and junior high school students’ autonomous motivation for homework. More specifically, the study focused on the role of teachers’ support of students’ psychological needs in students’ motivation for homework in the two school systems. The study also investigated the contribution of a match between teachers’ support and students’ expressed level of psychological needs to autonomous motivation for homework. The findings indicated that teacher support partially mediated the difference in autonomous motivation for homework between students in the two school systems. In addition, the findings suggested that whereas students’ with different level of expressed needs may perceive different levels of teachers’ support, and that teachers’ support might be more important for students who express higher level of needs, perceived teachers’ support of psychological needs was important for students’ adaptive motivation for homework, irrespective of their expressed level of needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on physical activity which act as a moderator between the relationship of inductive reasoning and aging. To carry out the study, recruited participants including 31 young and 33 older adults were given a short questionnaire to determine their health status. Results reveal an interindividual differences in the age-related deficits pattern on inductive reasoning, noting that physical activity could help in the preservation of intact higher-order executive functions.

Objectives: Cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx remains one of the 10 leading causes of cancer deaths in US. Besides smoking and alcohol consumption, there are no well-established risk factors. While poor dental care had been implicated, it is unknown if lack of dental care, implying poor dental hygiene predisposes to oral cavity cancer. This study aimed to assess the relationship between dental care utilization during the past 12 months and the prevalence of oral cavity cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional design of the National Health Interview Survey of Adult, noninstitutionalized US residents ( n = 30 475) was used to assess the association between dental care utilization and self-reported diagnosis of oral cavity cancer. Chi-square statistic was used to examine the crude association between the explanatory variable, dental care utilization and other covariates, while unconditional logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between oral cavity cancer and dental care utilization. Results: There were statistically significant differences between those who utilized dental care during the past 12 months and those who did not with respect to education, income, age, marital status, and gender ( P < 0.05), but not health insurance coverage ( P = 0.53). In addition, those who utilized dental care relative to those who did not were 65% less likely to present with oral cavity cancer, prevalence odds ratio (POR), 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12–0.98. Further, higher income, advanced age, people of African heritage, and unmarried status were statistically significantly associated with oral cavity cancer ( P < 0.05), but health insurance coverage, alcohol use, and smoking were not, P > 0.05. After simultaneously controlling for the relevant covariates, the association between dental care and oral cavity cancer did persist but imprecise. Thus, when compared with those who did not use dental care, those who did were 62% less likely to be diagnosed with oral cavity cancer, adjusted POR, 0.38, 95% CI, and 0.13–1.10. Conclusions: Among US adults residing in community settings, use of dental care during the past 12 months was marginally statistically significantly associated with oral cavity cancer, but clinically relevant in assessing oral cavity cancer prevalence in this sample. However, because of the nature of our data, which restricts temporal sequence, a large sample prospective study that may identify modifiable factors associated with oral cavity cancer development, namely poor dental care is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Salthouse claims that cognitive aging starts around 20 years of age. The basis for this claim is cross-sectional data. He dismisses longitudinal data, which typically show the cognitive decline to start much later, around 60 years of age. He states that longitudinal data cannot be trusted because they are flawed. There is a confounding between the effects of maturation and retest effects. We challenge Salthouse''s strong claim on four accounts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate international nursing students' perceptions about their preparedness and experiences of transition from the educational settings to the host country's nursing workforce. Transition from a student to a registered nurse is a challenging phase for undergraduate nursing students. Undergraduate nursing students have reported concerns about their clinical preparedness and felt inadequately prepared as new graduates. One under-researched area is international nursing students' preparedness and experiences of transition from their undergraduate nursing program to the host country's nursing workforce. A descriptive cross-sectional study. Online survey active from 26 October 2020–31 January 2021 in Australia. 110 eligible international nursing students (Mean age = 25.10 ± 3.32; 57.8% female) in the final year of their undergraduate nursing program Australian universities took part in the survey in 2020. The survey used the Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Survey as well as newly added questions to measure transition preparedness, clinical preparedness, facilitators and barriers that may affect transition and the impact of Coronavirus disease of 2019 on transition. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Over 90% of the respondents planned to transition to the Australian nursing workforce, with over 50% feeling prepared to transition as registered nurses. However, over 50% of the respondents did not feel ready to find nursing employment in Australia. When assessing clinical preparedness, participants reported their discomfort and lack of confidence in dealing with dying patients, delegating tasks to nursing assistants and communicating and interacting with physicians and interdisciplinary team members in the clinical area. They also reported clinical simulation activities helpful in clinical preparation, being comfortable in taking actions to solve problems and being confident in identifying actual or potential safety risks for patients. The major barriers for transition included temporary visa status, financial challenges, duration of clinical placements during the nursing program, inability to comprehend local colloquialism and knowledge of the Australian healthcare system. The main facilitators were clinical simulation experiences, the ability to speak languages other than English and interactions with people from diverse cultures. International nursing students had unique challenges related to their temporary visa status, knowledge of the Australian healthcare system and comprehension of colloquialism. Clinical simulation experiences, the ability to interact with diverse cultures and speak different languages contributed positively to their transition preparedness. They expressed their desire to have extended clinical placements in more acute care settings to improve their clinical experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this two-staged study was to examine effects of problem-based learning (PBL) on empathy of nursing students. ET (Empathic tendency) and ES (Empathic skill) scales were used to collect data. The first stage of the study was descriptive and longitudinal (n = 20). There were significant differences in ET average between the years. There were also significant differences in ES average between the first and second, and third and fourth year students. The second stage of the study was descriptive and cross-sectional (n = 192). There were no significant differences in ET means between the years of the program, but there were significant differences in ES points between the years of the program. It can be concluded that nursing students exposed to PBL develop empathic skills through the years of the PBL program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four specific schemas of cognitive structures that adolescents may hold concerning interpersonal disagreements with their parents were identified, each reflecting an authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, or a neglecting parenting style. To examine the occurrence of such schemas across high and low levels of psychosocial adjustment, 120 Swedish adolescents (50 boys, 70 girls) (mean age = 14.76 years) indicated how their parents usually approach six potential situations involving parent–adolescent conflict. Findings show that the authoritative conflict schema (compliance as a result of mutual respect) occurred more often among well-adjusted adolescents, whereas authoritarian and indulgent conflict schemas were particularly associated with low levels of psychosocial adjustment. The concept of conflict schemas may contribute to the understanding of how various parenting styles are linked to certain developmental outcomes for the adolescent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Age-related changes in cognitive performance may be more pronounced in the period near or exceeding the median life span. Therefore, we compared the acquisition of a Morris water escape task by two groups of very old Fischer344×Brown Norway hybrid rats. The mean age difference between the two groups of rats (a 33- to 34-month-old group versus a 35- to 36-month-old group) was about 2months. Both groups of rats initially had the same level of performance, but then the younger group learned to escape onto the submerged platform faster, swimming a shorter distance, than the older group. By the fifth acquisition session, the younger rats needed only half the time and swam a shorter distance before they reached the platform than the older rats. These differences in learning were not due to different locomotor abilities as both groups had a similar swimming speed. These results suggest that age-related changes in cognitive performance are indeed more pronounced in the period around the median life span. We also discussed different set-ups to perform cross-sectional age-comparison studies. If there are not sufficient animals from one batch, it may be worthwhile to combine animals from different batches per age group, provided that breeding, rearing, housing, and testing conditions are highly standardized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims. This paper reports a study describing home nurses’ intention and current practices regarding introducing assistive devices, and investigating whether their practice is related to social cognitive factors (attitudes, subjective norms and self-efficacy). Background. Home nurses not only care for patients in particular medical domains, but also educate and guide them towards more independence. Patients with age-related disabilities in mobility and self-care might benefit from the use of assistive devices. A home nurse might be the first and only person to discuss the disability and use of an assistive device. Therefore, home nurses’ beliefs about the introduction of assistive devices could affect their daily practices. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 64 home nurses chosen from a random sample of home nursing departments. The home nurses completed a self-administered questionnaire. The Theory of Planned Behaviour framework was used to develop the social cognitive measures regarding each of the six steps distinguished in the introduction of assistive devices. Results. Home nurses had positive attitudes and high levels of intention, subjective norm and self-efficacy towards most steps of the decision process to introduce assistive devices. In a multiple linear regression analysis, attitude and self-efficacy predicted intention to introduce assistive devices to older clients with disabilities. Intention was correlated to home nurses’ current practices. Conclusions. The findings suggest that conditions are present to involve home nurses more explicitly in the introduction of assistive devices to their patients. Social cognitive factors should be taken into account when developing interventions that aim to support home nurses to do this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The primary aim of the Trial of Activity in Adolescent Girls (TAAG) is to test an intervention to reduce by half the age-related decline in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in middle school girls. The intervention will be evaluated using a group-randomized trial involving 36 middle schools. The primary endpoint is the mean difference in intensity-weighted minutes (i.e., MET-minutes) of MVPA between intervention and comparison schools assessed using accelerometry. The TAAG study design calls for two cross-sectional samples, one drawn from 6th graders at the beginning of the study and the second drawn from 8th graders at the end of the study following the 2-year implementation of the intervention. An important strength of this design over a cohort design is the consistency with the goals of TAAG, which focus on environmental-level rather than individual-level interventions to produce change. The study design specifies a recruitment rate of 80% and a smaller sample of girls at baseline (n=48 per school) than at follow-up (n=96 per school). A two-stage model will be used to test the primary hypothesis. In the first stage, MET-weighted minutes of MVPA will be regressed on school, time (baseline or follow-up), their interaction, ethnicity and week of data collection. The second stage analysis will be conducted on the 72 adjusted means from the first stage. In the main-effects model, we will regress the follow-up school mean MET-weighted minutes of MVPA on study condition, adjusting for the baseline school mean. The TAAG study addresses an important health behavior, and also advances the field of group-randomized trials through the use of a study design and analysis plan tailored to serve the main study hypothesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Serum creatinine is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is also a rough measure of glomerular filtration rate. The purpose of the present study was to investigate determinants of serum creatinine in the general population.Methods: The participants were recruited as a part of the Hordaland Health Study, and included 6952 men aged 41-49 years, 8218 women aged 41-49 years, 1470 men aged 71-74 years and 1865 women aged 71-74 years. Data on lifestyle factors, medical history and medication were obtained through questionnaires. Body size and blood pressure measurements as well as non-fasting blood samples were obtained during a health examination. Determinants of serum creatinine were identified using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses.Results: Male and older participants had higher levels of serum creatinine than female and middle-aged participants. For older participants, creatinine was associated with serum triglycerides, CVD, upper-arm circumference and use of antihypertensive drugs as well as inversely associated with cigarette smoking. For middle-aged participants, creatinine was associated with upper-arm circumference, serum lipids and physical exercise, as well as inversely associated with smoking and alcohol intake. The associations with CVD risk factors were much stronger for older participants than for middle-aged participants and most associations were significant after adjustments as well as present within the reference range of serum creatinine.Conclusions: In this general population sample, high serum creatinine levels were associated with risk factors for CVD. These associations were stronger in older subjects, whereas in middle-aged subjects lifestyle variables were relatively more important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans suffering from subdural haematomas often show long-term cognitive dysfunctions. For identifying putative, recovery-enhancing therapeutics, animal models need to be developed in which recovery of function can be measured. For investigating whether and which type of recovery, i.e. spontaneous or training-induced recovery, or continuous partial retardation, is present in the rat model for bilateral subdural haematomas, spatial navigation abilities were assessed in the Morris water escape task in independent groups of rats at 1, 2, 4, 8, or 18 weeks after surgery. Complete spontaneous recovery seemed to occur at 8 weeks after injury. However, at 18 weeks after injury, the subdural haematoma caused a renewed deterioration of water maze performance, which was of a lesser degree than the impairments observed immediately after injury. This second phase performance deterioration was accompanied by an increase in generalised astrocyte reactivity. The rat subdural haematoma model provides an interesting tool for investigating spontaneous recovery processes of spatial navigation (8 weeks after injury), but also for progressive brain dysfunctions, considering the second phase of behavioural impairments seen at 18 weeks after injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Deformation of 3D shapes usually requires the use of a deformation tool. The freeform deformation technique requires the use of a lattice of control point for deforming an object. This may require a synchronized movement of the lattice control points in order to obtain the desired effects. The axial deformation technique allows an object to be deformed by manipulating an axial curve. However, unexpected twist of the object may be obtained. This is a result of the lack of control on the local coordinate frame of the curve. This paper presents a technique for deforming objects with a set of axial curve-pairs. The use of a curve-pair allows the local coordinate frame to be controlled intuitively. A curve-pair is composed of a primary and an orientation curve. The orientation curve is an approximate offset of the primary curve. A technique is proposed for maintaining the relation between the primary and the orientation curve when the curve-pair is adjusted. By associating a complex 3D object to a curve-pair, the object can be stretched, bended, and twisted intuitively through manipulating the curve-pair. This deformation technique is particularly suitable for manipulating complex shapes (e.g. decorative components) in industrial and aesthetic design, and is also suitable for modelling characters and animals with flexible bodies. Adjusting the curve-pair according to some motion constraints produces different postures of a character or animal model. This in turn can be used as decorative components for aesthetic design. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hofer and Sliwinski raise a critical concern regarding a popular practice in aging research of inferring associations among aging changes of different processes from correlations based on cross-sectional age differences. It is shown analytically that cross-sectional information drawn from age-heterogeneous samples is not suitable for answering questions about the interdependence between aging changes. While in general we agree with the problem pointed out by Hofer and Sliwinski, the two aims of this commentary are: (1) to highlight links between the specific concern and two long-standing issues confronting life-span researchers and (2) to introduce alternative approaches that are currently underutilized in gerontological research. We elaborate general issues with respect to challenges in inferring aging changes from age differences and using age as a proxy for aging. We show that several other sources of variance independent of rates of change, such as cohort- and mortality-related selection effects, are confounded in age-heterogeneous designs. We suggest general considerations for developing more explicit theories of cognitive aging in the future. Alternative research methods and paradigms for studying the causes and mechanisms of the aging mind at different time scales and levels are also highlighted. The role of chronological age in aging research is rather ‘superficial’. To understand the underlying processes and mechanisms of cognitive aging, classical process-oriented, rather than solely age-oriented, theoretical conceptions need to be reconsidered and reified with new methodological and empirical advances. Concerted gerontological research endeavors utilizing recent progresses made in statistical analyses of dynamic processes and in cognitive and computational neurosciences that may lead to fruitful breakthroughs.Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In today's aging society, preventing or reducing disability is important. Physical activity may serve this goal. Generally, physical activity aims to enhance physical fitness, which in turn may prevent disability. The relationship between physical fitness and disability has been much less explored than the relationship between physical activity and physical fitness.Objective: To investigate the relationship between separate components of physical fitness and disability.Methods: The subjects were a community-based sample of 176 men and 233 women aged 65 years or older. Physical fitness was assessed with performance-based tests. Disability and potential confounders were assessed during face-to-face interviews.Results: Independently of other fitness components, walking endurance, grip strength, manual dexterity and balance contributed significantly to the prediction of disability for both men and women. Flexibility of the hip and spine, flexibility of the shoulder and reaction time were not independent predictors of disability for men or women. Physical fitness explained a greater percentage of variance in disability for women (31-48%) than for men (14-34%). Although depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning (men), number of chronic conditions (women) and age (women) explained additional variance in disability, these variables did not confound the relationship between physical fitness and disability.Conclusion: Walking endurance, grip strength and manual dexterity are important unique predictors of disability. Physical activity programs should be directed at these fitness components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using levels of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), we evaluate the successful Chilean SARS-CoV-2 vaccine campaign, which combines different vaccine technologies and heterologous boosters. From a population-based study performed in November 2021, we randomly selected 120 seropositive individuals, organized into six groups of positive samples (20 subjects each) according to natural infection history and the five most frequent vaccination schemes. We conclude that the booster dose, regardless of vaccine technology or natural infection, and mRNA vaccines significantly improve nAbs response.

Objective To investigate sex- and gender-based differences linked to SARS-COV-2 infection and to explore the role of hormonal therapy (HT) in females. Study design Data from the self-administered, cross-sectional, web-based EPICOVID19 survey of 198,822 adults living in Italy who completed an online questionnaire during the first wave of the epidemic in Italy (April-May 2020) were analyzed. Main outcomes measures Multivariate binary logistic and multinomial regression models were respectively used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for positive nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) test results and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results The data from 6,873 participants (mean age 47.9 ± 14.1 years, 65.8% females) who had a known result from an NPS test were analyzed. According to the multivariate analysis, females had lower odds of a positive result from the NPS test (aOR 0.75, 95%CI 0.66-0.85) and of having a severe infection (aOR 0.46, 95%CI 0.37-0.57) than did their male counterparts. These differences were greater with decreasing age in both sexes. In addition, females aged ≥60 years receiving HT (N = 2,153, 47.6%) had a 46% lower probability of having a positive NPS test (aOR 0.54, 95%CI 0.36-0.80) than their same-aged peers who had never used HT; there were no differences in the younger age groups with respect to HT status. Conclusion Female sex was associated with an age-dependent lower risk of having a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection than their male counterparts. Age seemed to modify the relationship between HT status and infection: while the two were not related among younger participants, it was negative in the older ones. Future prospective studies are needed to elucidate the potential protective role sex hormones may play. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04471701., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is one of the common invasive treatments for the care of critically ill patients with heart failure, respiratory failure, or both. There are two modes of ECMO, namely, veno-venous (VV) and veno-arterial (VA), which have different indications, survival rates, and incidences of complications. This study's aim was to examine whether depression status differed between patients who had received VV-ECMO or VA-ECMO and had been discharged from the hospital. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study of patients who had been discharged from the hospital at least one month after receiving ECMO at a medical center in northern Taiwan from June 2006 to June 2020 ( N = 142). Participants were recruited via convenience and quota sampling. Data were collected in the cardiovascular outpatient department between October 2015-October 2016 ( n = 52) and September 2019-August 2020 ( n = 90). Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression (HADS-D) as a measure of depression status. Post-discharge depression scores for patients who received VV-ECMO ( n = 67) was significantly higher ( p = 0.018) compared with participants who received VA-ECMO ( n = 75). In addition, the mode of ECMO was a predictor of post-discharge depression ( p = 0.008) for participants who received VV-ECMO. This study concluded that patients who received VV-ECMO may require greater mental health support. Healthcare professionals should establish a psychological clinical care pathway evaluated by multiple healthcare professionals.

The present study's aim is to find the prevalence of two of the common indicators of mental health - depression and anxiety - and any correlation with socio-demographic indicators in the Pakistani population during the lockdown from 5 May to 25 July 2020. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire sent to volunteer participants. A total of 1047 participants over 18 were recruited through convenience sampling. The survey targeted depression and anxiety levels, which were measured using a 14 item self-reporting Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Out of the total sample population ( N =354), 39.9% suffered from depression and 57.7% from anxiety. Binary logistical regressions indicated significant predictive associations of gender ( OR=1.410 ), education ( OR=9.311 ), residence ( OR=0.370 ), household income ( OR=0.579 ), previous psychiatric problems ( OR=1.671 ), and previous psychiatric medication (OR=2.641) . These were the key factors e associated with a significant increase in depression. Increases in anxiety levels were significantly linked to gender ( OR=2.427 ), residence ( OR=0.619 ), previous psychiatric problems ( OR=1.166 ), and previous psychiatric medication ( OR=7.330 ). These results suggest depression and anxiety were prevalent among the Pakistani population during the lockdown. Along with other measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, citizens' mental health needs the Pakistani government's urgent attention as well as that of mental health experts. Further large-scale, such as healthcare practitioners, should be undertaken to identify other mental health indicators that need to be monitored., Competing Interests: Competing interestsAll authors have read and approved the content of the article. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2022.)

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the authors because the data reported in the manuscript are likely to have been compromised. It came to the co-authors’ attention after the publication of the article that a large proportion of the surveys reported in the study had been completed by a respondent using the first author’s IP addresses. The authors would like to apologize to readers for this error., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)