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Children Comorbidities Associated with High Parental Self-Efficacy: A Study on Parents of Children with Down Syndrome
Full text linkBackground: Parental self-efficacy (PSE) in parents of children with Down syndrome (DS) refers to parents’ efficacy in their capability as parents nurturing their children with DS. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors that may influence PSE in parents of children with DS.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 87 parents of children with DS. Self-Efficacy Parenting Task Index (SEPTI) was administered to measure PSE levels. Spearman’s rank correlation and independent t-test were applied to determine factors that may influence PSE. These include gender, children’s age, duration of being diagnosed with DS, comorbidities, number of children in the family, parents’ age, educational level, monthly household income, place of residence, genetic counseling, and support group.
Results: The results showed that the median scores of SEPTI were 114 (101-143), and 57.5% of parents had moderate PSE levels. Significant factors affecting PSE include children with comorbidities (r = - 0.197, p = 0.033) and the place of residence (r = -0.212, p = 0.024). Parents of children with fewer comorbidities (119 (109-128), p =0.034), those with higher education (118 (110-132), p = 0.031), and those living in urban areas (115 (101-143), p = 0.025) demonstrated higher PSE. Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis showed children’s comorbidity as the most significant predictor in PSE (PR= 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03 - 0.77, p = 0.020).
Conclusions: Children with comorbidities affect self-efficacy in parents of children with DS, besides the level of parent’s education and the place of living identity
In Vitro Production and Transfer of Buffalo Embryos (Bubalus bubalis) in Argentina
Full text linkObjective: This study aimed to evaluate different hormonal stimulation protocols over follicular development, oocyte quality, embryo production, and embryo transfer outcome.
Methods and Materials: This study was performed in Argentina. Fifty-three non-pregnant females with proven fertility and good body condition were selected to produce embryos in vitro. Three ovarian stimulation protocols were tested: On Day 0, animals received a progesterone intravaginal device plus Estradiol Benzoate. On Day 4: TRT1 did not receive any treatment, TRT2 FSH (Folltropin-V®), TRT3 recombinant eCG (FoliRec®) TRT 4 serum eCG (Ecegon®), on day 7 oocyte retrieval was performed using ultrasonography. Embryos were produced, vitrified, and transferred to synchronized recipients using standard protocols. The number and quality of oocytes, number and size of follicles, embryo production, pregnancy rates, and Antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels were determined. Quantitative variables were compared, and an α level of 5% was considered significant.
Results: The total number of oocytes, follicles, and zygotes did not differ across the treatments. Better oocytes were obtained in TRT2 and TRT4 (p<0.05). Embryo production was highest in TRT2 (1.5 embryos/buffalo/OPU), and cleavage was higher in TRT3 (p<0.05). Forty-two embryos were transferred, and 12 live births were obtained. All were males.
Conclusions: The stimulation protocols used before OPU don’t improve the number of ovarian follicles; some treatments produce higher-quality oocytes and embryo production. AMH dosage can help in selecting animals to increase the efficiency of IVEP. Reasonable results were obtained from the transfer of vitrified embryos, and the subsequent birth of live animals demonstrates the viability of this technique
Spatial Analysis Risk Factors of Pneumonia Incidence in Toddlers Gowa Regency
Full text linkBackground: Pneumonia is one of the highest causes of death in children under five years old in the world. Globally, the number of under-five deaths due to pneumonia is estimated to reach up to 700,000 cases per year.
Objectives: This study aimed to spatially analyze the risk factors for pneumonia incidence among under-fives in Gowa Regency in 2021-2023.
Methods: This study used an analytic observational with an ecological study design. The population in this study was all cases of pneumonia among under-fives in Gowa Regency in 2021-2023, totaling 1,634 cases. The sample size in this study was 18 subdistricts with the sample selection technique using the exhaustive sampling method.
Results: There was a relationship between population density (r=0.470 p=0.000), poor population (r=0.422 p=0.001) and incomplete immunization status (r=0.457 p=0.000) with the incidence of pneumonia among under-fives in Gowa Regency in 2021-2023. Meanwhile, there was no association between undernutrition status (r=0.250 p=0.068) with the incidence of pneumonia among under-fives in Gowa Regency in 2021-2023.
Conclusion: Although undernutrition status did not show a statistically significant association in this study, it remains an important risk factor in the susceptibility of under-fives to pneumonia and other infections. Children with undernutrition status have a weak immune system, making them susceptible to disease complications. Therefore, nutritional interventions such as the provision of supplementary food, increasing exclusive breastfeeding coverage, and nutrition education to parents still need to be developed in a sustainable manner
Evaluation of Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GADPH) and Luteinizing Hormone Receptor (LHR) Gene Polymorphisms in Buffaloes and Cows
Full text linkThe present work evaluates whether buffalo and cattle have different sequences of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHr) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPDH) genes. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 38 animals (17 buffaloes and 21 cows) and the ovarian granulosa cells of 13 cows. Primers used for amplification were reported in the literature. The PCR products obtained were analyzed via electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gels and sequenced via the Sanger technique. The electropherograms were analyzed via DNA Baser software, and the sequences were aligned via MEGA5 software. The quality of the electropherograms was evaluated via UGENE software.The edited contigs corresponding to the GAPDH gene were 100 nucleotides long, whereas those of the LHR gene reached 151 nucleotides. The most relevant changes were observed in the following positions: valine for isoleucine at position 65; asparagine for cysteine at position 67; alanine for glycine at position 70; threonine for proline at position 72; glycine for arginine at position 88; and alanine for aspartic acid at position 89. In the analyzed region, a variation was identified at position 446, where buffaloes preferentially present threonine, whereas in cows, alanine or valine.It is reported for the first time that there are differences in the LHr and GAPDH genes between buffaloes and cattle. The bioinformatic analysis of these sequences may explain whether the changes may affect the function of the genes and whether these may be responsible for the differences observed in the reproduction of the species analyzed
Rethinking Crime, Harm, and Corporate Responsibility: Lessons from the Post Office Scandal
Full text linkThe Post Office Scandal is recognised as one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British legal history. Using a conceptual review grounded in Zemiological theory this article explores the scandal, arguing that traditional frameworks of criminology fail to capture the full scope of corporate crime. The article begins by tracing the origins of the scandal to the flawed implementation of the Horizon IT system, examining how institutional failures by Fujitsu, the Post Office and the UK Government enabled two decades of systemic injustice. It then applies the theory of Zemiology to challenge dominant constructions of crime, highlighting how the pursuit of profit and poor corporate governance permitted a range of ontological harms to sub-postmasters. The role that inadequate safeguarding in private prosecutions played in the scandal is then considered, drawing comparison to the practices of the RSPCA. Lastly, the article considers the enduring legacy of the scandal and questions whether institutional trust can be rebuilt. The article concludes that whilst reparations and reforms have been made, the Post Office Scandal has caused irreparable damage to the integrity of trusted institutions
Improving Alzheimer’s Disease Detection with Transfer Learning
Full text linkAccurate and prompt diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a challenge, with only a small percentage of patients receiving timely confirmation. Manual interpretation of MRI scans, the primary diagnostic tool, is time-consuming, subjective, and prone to error, particularly in differentiating between disease stages. This study aimed to develop a computer-aided diagnosis system (CAD) for AD classification using deep learning models. MobileNetV1 and Xception architectures were employed to classify AD into four stages: mild, normal, moderate, and severe. Transfer learning and layer freezing techniques were applied for feature extraction and classification. Model performance was evaluated using precision, recall score, and accuracy metrics. The Xception model achieved a higher accuracy (79%) compared to MobileNetV1 (73%) in classifying AD stages. Compared to MobileNetV1, this study shows that Xception-based CAD systems have the potential to diagnose AD more accurately, providing a promising path for future research and clinical application
Statistical Evaluation of Comorbidities and Environmental Factors in COVID-19 Outcomes: Risk Measures and Predictive Analysis Using Odds and Hazard Ratios
Full text linkIn this study, we have reviewed studies that highlight the effects of common conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney problems, and emphysema, which offer the largest risk of death caused by COVID-19. Also, explored how physical activity can influence one's resistance to COVID-19, the effects of stat in medications on mortality rates, and the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing fatalities offer valuable avenues for tailored interventions and treatment strategies and the examination of the relationship between exposure to air contamination and the severity of COVID-19 highlights the task of environmental factors in shaping the outcomes of the illness. Primarily, we focused on how comorbidities affect COVID-19 patients and the associations between comorbidities, lifestyle factors, environmental influences, and COVID-19 outcomes, guiding healthcare strategies and future research, and refining responses to the ongoing pandemic. In this study, analysis of COVID-19 studies centered on compiling risk assessments, including 95% confidence intervals along with odds and hazard ratios. The analysis's goal was to gather and assess the different risk metrics provided in this study
Cardiovascular Disease and Mental Health in Intellectual Disabilities: A Vicious Cycle of Risk and Care Gaps
Full text linkBackground: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary reason for demise and disability worldwide, with a particularly severe problem in low- and middle-income nations. Among individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), the coexistence of cognitive impairments, mental health conditions, and barriers to medical care significantly increases health risks.
Objective: This review discovers the bidirectional connection between cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders in individuals with ID. It aims to classify risk factors, examine care disparities, and evaluate the need for targeted interventions.
Methods: A descriptive review methodology was employed. A total of 1,182 articles were initially retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO using a focused keyword strategy encompassing CVD, mental health, and intellectual disability. After applying inclusion criteria centered on disability relevance and peer-reviewed content, 914 articles were shortlisted. From these, 173 studies were selected based on quality and contextual suitability.
Results: The review identified a consistent pattern of underrepresentation of individuals with ID in cardiovascular and psychiatric research despite their increased rates of congenital heart defects, lifestyle-related risk factors, and untreated mental health issues. Diagnostic overshadowing, resource constraints for caregivers, and a lack of appropriately adapted therapies further aggravate their vulnerability. Evidence suggests that caregiver-supported and community-based interventions, when customized for this population, can improve health outcomes.
Conclusion: The interplay between cardiovascular disease and mental health in people with ID constitutes a complex clinical and public health challenge. A disability-sensitive research and care framework is urgently needed. Future approaches should focus on early screening, tailored interventions, integrated care models, and inclusive health policies to adequately support this marginalized population
Convergence Vs Homogeneity: Exploring Hong Kong’s Identity in Transition
Full text linkThis article explores the multiple drivers behind Hong Kong’s identity transition through the lens of the disappearing neon signs. Its cultural and political significances are analyzed through the theoretical frameworks of identity politics, decolonization, and nationalism. The simultaneous forces of decolonization and mainlandization largely accounts for the intricate politicalization of many issues in Hong Kong, including its iconic neon signs, whose connotations has gone through several transitions: from being historical (Western influence), to economic (as a prosperous entrepot and shopping paradise), cultural (unique hybrid of glocalization), technological (becoming outdated in energy efficiency) and even political (fading away after the strengthened regulation in 2010), especially when its early development was a result of bottom-up participation at a grassroots level, while their removal came from a top-down approach through government regulations. The study design incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methods by combining survey results with interviews and policy paper analysis to explore the multiple drivers and the perceived effects on Hong Kong’s identity. This then informs discussions of how to maintain Hong Kong’s position as a space for convergence while developing some new features of in-betweenness
Sex Estimation in Terms of Inclination and Alsberg in Proximal Femur by using Machine Learning Algorithms
Full text linkThe fact that the femur has a solid structure ensures that the integrity of the bone is preserved, making it favorable in the sex determination process. In this study, it was aimed to predict sex by using angular variables of femur from computed tomography (CT) images and machine learning algorithms. In this study, a total of 4 angular measurements, including the femoral inclination angle (FIA) and Alsberg angle (FAA) of the proximal femur on both sides, were evaluated on CT images of 88 female and 92 male adults. Logistic regression (LR) and classification and regression tree (CART) machine learning algorithms were used for sex diagnosis. 5-fold cross-validation method was used in the training and testing processes of the models. Model performances were evaluated with area under the ROC curve, Precision and Recall statistics. Of the 4 angle measurements evaluated, only the right side FIA mean was significantly higher in women (p=0.042). The sex diagnosis success of the LR model and the CART algorithm were found to be similar (p values 0.014 and 0.017, respectively). When the success criteria of each algorithm were examined, we saw that although sex estimation was significant, (Acc 0.61, Acc 0.60, respectively) they were not very successful. We found that the machine learning algorithms applied to the variables of proximal femur angle parameters gave low accuracy of sex and the effect of both models on sex estimation was similar