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A narrative review of the application of the survey experiment in sports psychology: research design and method
No full textIntroductionAs a research paradigm integrating internal and external validity, the survey experiment method has been widely used in the humanities and social sciences. However, there is currently no research that provides a comprehensive summary of the application of survey experiment in sports psychology.MethodsIn present study, we conducted a literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ELSEVIER and EBSCO from January 1st, 2001 to April 30th, 2025, using the following search terms of titles and abstracts: “Survey Experiment.”ResultsIn total, 59 studies were included in the final review, after thoroughly reviewing all the studies, the current review addressed the following aspects using narrative method: the connotations and characteristics of survey experiment; the design of survey experiment; a case study on the design of survey experiment in sport psychology research; and the advantages of the Internet and big data in advancing survey experiment
Disrupted gray matter structural covariance networks in chronic insomnia disorder
No full textBackgroundChronic insomnia disorder (CID) is associated with changes in gray matter volume (GMV) and structural connectivity in several brain regions. However, alterations in the topological properties of the structural covariant network (SCN) remain poorly understood in CID.MethodsVoxel-based morphometry and graph theory were applied to examine the topological characteristics of the GMV-based SCN in 82 patients with CID and 73 healthy controls. Group comparison of GMV and multiple regression with pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were conducted, with hamilton depression acale, hamilton depression scale, total intracranial volume, age, sex, and years of education as covariates. The brain SCN was constructed by thresholding Pearson correlations between the corrected GMVs of 90 brain regions, defined via the automated anatomical labeling atlas. Both the global and nodal topological properties of the brain SCN were analyzed, controlling for the same set of covariates.ResultsThe bilateral precentral gyrus (PreCG) showed both increased GMV and a negative correlation with PSQI scores (p < 0.001, uncorrected). No significant differences were found in the global network topological properties between groups. CID patients exhibited increased nodal betweenness centrality in the right paracentral lobule (PCL), and decreased nodal degree and efficiency in the left postcentral gyrus (PoCG) (p < 0.05, false discovery rate corrected). Furthermore, we observed alterations in both the number and distribution of network hubs. Notably, the constellation of regions exhibiting altered nodal parameters (the right PCL and left PoCG) also functioned as reconfigured network hubs.ConclusionsThis study establishes an association between sleep disturbances in CID and aberrations in both the GMV of specific sensory-motor network nodes (PreCG, PCL, PoCG) and their SCN topological properties, thereby providing new directions for elucidating the disorder’s pathophysiology
Early warning model for depression and anxiety among adolescent students: an empirical study based on Guilin
No full textObjectiveTo analyze the occurrence of depression and anxiety in Guilin and verify the early warning model of depression and anxiety in Guilin.MethodsUsing multi-layer sampling method, 10 middle schools were selected from September 2022 to September 2023, with a total of 1,245 middle and high school students in an anonymous self-filled questionnaire survey. A total of 1,150 valid young students were obtained as the survey object, which was randomly divided into training set (920 cases) and verification set (230 cases). Using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) to evaluate the occurrence of Guilin adolescent students depression anxiety, in the form of a questionnaire to understand and analyze the factors affecting Guilin adolescent students depression anxiety, establish the influence of Guilin adolescent students depression anxiety prediction model of occurrence and model validation and efficiency evaluation.ResultsIn the training set of 920 adolescent students, 164 patients developed depressive anxiety, or 17.83%, and 756 patients did not develop depressive anxiety. In the validation set, among 230 adolescent students, 44 patients developed depressive anxiety, with an incidence of 19.13%, and 186 patients did not develop depressive anxiety. Logistic Regression analysis showed that OR (95%CI) = 3.44 (1.98, 5.97), Chinese version of the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Scale (FACESCV) [OR (95% CI) = 1.67 (1.07, 2.61)], and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRISC) score for adolescent students [OR (95% CI) = 1.83 (1.15, 2.92)]were the factors that affected the occurrence of depression and anxiety in adolescents in Guilin (p < 0.05). The ROC curve results of the training set showed that the nomogram model predicted the sensitivity of depression and anxiety with 80.25%, specificity of 80.09% and AUC of 0.849.ConclusionHigh risk of depression and anxiety, academic stress, FACESCV and CDRISC score are the influencing factors affecting the occurrence of depression and anxiety in adolescent students in Guilin
Forsythiaside a facilitates autophagy to ameliorate chronic nonbacterial prostatitis in rats by blocking the PKCα/NF-κB pathway
No full textBackgroundGiven the lack of effective treatment for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) and the anti-inflammatory property of natural bioactive compound forsythiaside A (FTA), the therapeutic potential of FTA on CNP is worthy of investigation.MethodsCNP rat models were established using complete Freundʼs adjuvant, followed by a 4-week administration of FTA at different concentrations (40 and 80 mg/kg/d). The body and prostate of rats were weighed to calculate the prostatic index. Prostate damage and inflammatory infiltration were assessed using histological analysis and immunohistochemistry staining. Levels of inflammation-related cytokines, autophagic markers as well as the protein kinase C alpha (PKCα)/NF-κB pathway in prostate tissues were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot.ResultsNo significant change was observed in the body weight of CNP rat models administered with or without FTA. FTA treatment reduced the prostatic index and mitigated prostate damage and inflammatory infiltration of CNP rat models. FTA treatment decreased the number of CD3-positive cells and CD45-positive cells, while downregulating interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in prostate tissues of CNP rat models. FTA treatment promoted Beclin-1 and LC3B II/LC3B I expressions, and inhibited PKCα and p-p65/p65 expressions in prostate tissues of CNP rat models.ConclusionFTA alleviates inflammation and facilitates autophagy in CNP rat models by blocking the PKCα/NF-κB pathway
Mechanical impacts of climbing on cliff vegetation: Contrasting management concepts
No full textAbstract Climbing a boulder for the first time often means entering a previously inaccessible ecosystem, many of which are inhabited by rare species. Little is known about the impacts of first ascents on cliff vegetation, especially with respect to different rock types. Our study builds on this knowledge gap and investigates how climbing activities affect undisturbed rock ecosystems. We experimentally climbed three previously unclimbed boulders (sandstone, limestone and granite) 500 times. Although limited to a single boulder per rock type, our experiment provides preliminary insight into how vegetation cover responds to climbing activities in different lithologies. The loss of vegetation was analysed using a time series of images of hand and footholds. For one site, vegetation recovery was quantified 3 years after climbing treatment. In addition, Raman spectroscopy was used to analyse possible microplastic abrasion of climbing shoes. The vegetation cover on climbing holds decreased by 0%–15%, with the first ascents being particularly decisive. Vegetation loss varies between rock types, with soft sandstone showing the highest loss due to abrasion of the rock surface. A partial recovery of the cover of the microbial community was observed over 3 years after climbing treatment on the sandstone boulder. Raman spectroscopy identified black particles found on climbing footholds as microplastic abrasion from climbing shoes. The mechanical stress caused by boulderers damages rock vegetation locally on climbing holds and is one of the impacts induced by climbing. Even moderate frequency and no prior cleaning of routes can lead to longer lasting damage to cliff vegetation. In sensitive areas, appropriate management actions should be developed by climbing associations, experts and nature conservation organizations. The strong effect on vegetation caused by first ascents suggests that climbing management should favour closing entire rocks while leaving others open (zonation concepts), promoting spatial concentration of impacts. Further studies on microplastics caused by climbing are recommended. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog
Exploring narratives of human–nature connections in protected areas
No full textAbstract Protected areas have become the most widespread strategy for nature conservation, and are currently expanding worldwide. Many of them are inhabited or close to inhabited areas, shaping and being shaped by connections between people and nature. These connections are not always positive. Social fragmentation, in the form of conflicts and disconnections from nature, represents a major challenge for biodiversity conservation in protected areas. Assessing the multiple forms of people's connections with nature has shown pivotal to the development of conservation strategies that integrate ecological and social benefits. However, understanding how people articulate the role of protected areas in shaping their connections with nature remains overlooked in the literature. We use a narrative approach to investigate connections of people to protected areas based on seven dimensions: material, experiential, cognitive, emotional, philosophical, cultural and institutional. Using five protected areas in a multifunctional landscape in Central Germany as case studies, we explored narratives of connection based on in‐depth analysis of 38 semi‐structured interviews. Our main findings highlight that: (i) Narratives allow us to describe complex human–nature connections in protected areas; (ii) the novel framework of seven human–nature connections uncovered learning, regional heritage, care, multifunctional production and collaborations as key themes to better understand people's connection to nature in protected areas; (iii) different ways of connecting to nature, such as emotional, experiential and material connections, are closely linked; and (iv) the five narratives present overlaps that point at implications for protected area policy and practice. We discuss how protected areas can contribute to a reconnection to nature by reinforcing links between all dimensions of connections; considering the complexity associated with material connections; recognizing the importance of non‐material values of protected areas; improving the articulation of multiple knowledge; and supporting collaboration and trustful relationships. We argue that, to further contribute to cultural landscapes' sustainability, protected areas should focus on creating the conditions to foster diverse human–nature connections. Narratives can thereby help to identify new alliances and put nature protection and protected areas at the core of society and landscapes, rather than isolating them in conservation niches or silos. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog
Multi-region anterior knee pain is associated with poorer subjective athletic performance following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: an exploratory cross-sectional study
No full textPurpose: Anterior knee pain (AKP) is a common complication after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and may affect post-operative functional outcomes. However, the relationship between the AKP region and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether multi-region AKP is associated with poorer PROMs than single region or no AKP following ACL reconstruction. Methods: This exploratory cross-sectional study included 35 athletes who returned to sport following primary unilateral ACL reconstruction [median age 20.0 years (interquartile range 5.0 years); mean ± standard deviation time since surgery 11.8 ± 2.3 months]. Knee pain locations were identified using a photographic knee pain map and were classified into five categories: no AKP, medial, central, lateral, and multi-region. Post-operative subjective athletic performance (PoSAP) intensity and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale were used as PROMs. Differences in patient-reported outcomes across the five pain location groups were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn's post hoc test. Result: Dunn's test showed that the multi-region pain group had significantly lower PoSAP scores than the no AKP group (adjusted p = 0.029; r = 0.589). However, the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed no significant differences in ACL-RSI scores among the groups with different AKP locations. Conclusions: Individuals with AKP affecting multiple regions perceive poorer post-operative athletic performance after ACL reconstruction than those without AKP. These findings underscore the importance of assessing whether AKP has affected multiple regions, in addition to pain intensity, when evaluating post-operative recovery
Mechanical alignment can still be an optimal target in total knee arthroplasty for severe varus knee
No full textPurpose: The aim of this review was to investigate which alignment strategy provides the most appropriate target in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for severe varus deformity, taking into account age-related skeletal changes, ligament balance, and implant longevity. Methods: Relevant radiographic, biomechanical, intra-operative, and clinical studies were reviewed to clarify how age-related deformity, soft tissue conditions, and post-operative alignment influence outcomes in varus knees undergoing TKA. Result: Radiographic analyses show that lower limb deformity progresses with aging and osteoarthritis, making it difficult to identify the constitutional alignment based on pre-operative morphology. Intra-operative findings reveal that the medial structures are not necessarily contracted, whereas lateral laxity increases with varus severity. Biomechanical simulations indicate that varus alignment exceeding 6° results in a marked increase in medial contact stress, and clinical studies report inferior outcomes and a higher risk of tibial loosening in such cases. Reconstruction in neutral mechanical alignment without excessive medial release provides stable kinematics and satisfactory clinical outcomes, even in severe varus knees. Conclusions: In patients with advanced varus deformity, aiming to reproduce the native alignment is neither practical nor beneficial because of age-related skeletal changes and altered ligament balance. Mechanical alignment within 3° of neutral, achieved without excessive medial release, remains a reasonable and safe target that minimizes implant stress and ensures long-term stability. Alignment beyond 6° varus should be avoided
Varices everywhere: Stomal bleeding due to undiagnosed portal hypertension
No full textBackground: Patients with stomas commonly experience bleeding at the stoma site, often due to local mucosal trauma. However, more serious underlying causes should be considered. Case report: We discuss the case of a 77-year-old man with a past medical history of colostomy who presented to the emergency department (ED) after an episode of acute stomal bleeding. He had experienced increasingly worsening episodes of superficial stomal bleeding for three years prior to presentation. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an unexpected finding of an ectopic parastomal varix within the stoma, associated with newly discovered cirrhosis and infiltrated hepatocellular carcinoma.Why should an emergency physician be aware of this?Stomal bleeding is usually due to a range of superficial causes. However, parastomal variceal bleeding can be severe and life-threatening. Emergency physicians should consider this diagnosis when encountering a patient with stomal bleeding, especially if the patient has risk factors for portal hypertension
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