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Progress in Brain Research 2024Cardiovascular fitness (CRF) has been consistently linked to cognitive performance and academic achievement, and inhibitory control has been recognized as a key...
Cardiovascular fitness (CRF) has been consistently linked to cognitive performance and academic achievement, and inhibitory control has been recognized as a key predictor of academic success. However, few studies have explored whether inhibitory control mediates the relationship between CRF and academic performance in children, and the existing findings are inconclusive because of certain limitations. This study investigated the mediating role of inhibitory control in the association between CRF and academic achievement among preadolescents while also addressing the related limitations. This study enrolled a total of 175 elementary school students (70 girls, mean age=11.17years, standard deviation=0.7), who participated in a half-mile test for assessing their CRF level. Additionally, inhibitory control was measured using the Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop test), and language and mathematics tests were administered to measure their academic performance. The results revealed that the participants with higher CRF levels achieved superior performance in tasks requiring a high level of inhibitory control (r=0.291, P<0.001) and in Chinese language (r=-0.415, P<0.001) and mathematics (r=-0.366, P<0.001) tests even when gender, age, and body fat were considered. Furthermore, a mediation analysis revealed that inhibitory control, as measured through the incongruent trials of the Stroop test, partially mediated the relationship between CRF and academic performance (language: indirect effect=-0.013, 95% CI [-0.019, -0.008]; math: indirect effect=-0.013, 95% CI [-0.021, -0.009]). These findings have major implications for child development, emphasizing the key role of inhibitory control in the beneficial effects of CRF on academic achievement.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Academic Success; Child; Inhibition, Psychological; Cardiorespiratory Fitness; Executive Function; Stroop Test
PubMed: 38876573
DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2023.11.003 -
Social Science Research Jul 2024This paper examines whether exposure to spatially proximate homicide affects norms, attitudes, and the adaptive strategies adolescents take to insulate themselves from...
This paper examines whether exposure to spatially proximate homicide affects norms, attitudes, and the adaptive strategies adolescents take to insulate themselves from violent victimization. Drawing on survey data from a large sample of urban youth (n = 3195), we assess the impact of homicides occurring within a one-mile radius of respondents' homes on a variety of psychosocial outcomes. We exploit random variation in the timing of survey administration to compare the survey responses of youths who were exposed to a homicide in the immediate vicinity of their homes in the one-month period leading up the administration of the survey with students who did not experience a homicide near their homes during that period but would the following month. This strategic comparison approach minimizes the confounding influence of endogenous processes that funnel children and families into places where homicides tend to concentrate.
PubMed: 38871432
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103026 -
Global Health, Science and Practice Jun 2024Nigeria accounts for substantial proportions of global malaria infections and deaths, with children aged younger than 5 years being the most affected group. This...
BACKGROUND
Nigeria accounts for substantial proportions of global malaria infections and deaths, with children aged younger than 5 years being the most affected group. This suggests that access to lifesaving malaria interventions could be suboptimal, especially at public health facilities where most rural dwellers seek health care. We conducted this study to ascertain if public health facilities have the commodities and the robust supply chain management (SCM) system required to deliver malaria interventions to children younger than 5 years.
METHOD
We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 1,858 health facilities across 7 states in Nigeria. Using structured questionnaires, we assessed the availability of selected malaria commodities required by children aged younger than 5 years. We also interviewed health workers to evaluate other core SCM activities.
RESULT
More than 50% of health facilities in 5 states were stocked out of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), and stock-out rates for artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) were over 50% for almost all assessed ACTs across all states. The percentage of health facilities that received malaria commodities within the recommended lead time was below average across most states (71%). States with a higher percentage of health workers who were aware of and placed orders following the national reporting timeline and those that delivered commodities to the last mile predominantly through third-party logistics service providers tended to have higher availability of mRDTs and artemether/lumefantrine combinations. The top 2 logistics challenges were insecurity and inadequate funding.
CONCLUSION
The availability of lifesaving malaria commodities across the health facilities visited was suboptimal, possibly due to several SCM challenges. The results from this study underscore the urgent need to implement effective interventions to address the observed gaps. This will contribute to reducing malaria morbidity and mortality among children aged younger than 5 years in Nigeria.
Topics: Humans; Nigeria; Malaria; Cross-Sectional Studies; Antimalarials; Child, Preschool; Public Sector; Artemisinins; Infant; Health Services Accessibility; Health Facilities; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38871381
DOI: 10.9745/GHSP-D-22-00547 -
PloS One 2024Obesity and physical inactivity among children and young people are public health concerns. Despite the wide variety of interventions available to promote physical...
BACKGROUND
Obesity and physical inactivity among children and young people are public health concerns. Despite the wide variety of interventions available to promote physical activity, little is known about which interventions are most effective. This review aimed to evaluate the existing literature on school-based interventions that aim to increase physical activity among children and young people aged 6 to 18 years.
METHODS
A systematic review of reviews was undertaken. We searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between December 2017 and January 2024 using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL. Titles and abstracts were independently screened by two reviewers, who also conducted data extraction and quality assessments. We focused on outcomes like changes in physical activity levels and body mass index to assess the effectiveness of the interventions.
RESULTS
A total of 23 reviews examining school-based physical activity interventions met the inclusion criteria, comprising 15 systematic reviews and 8 meta-analyses. All reviews (N = 23) were implemented in the school setting: three in primary schools, seven in secondary schools, and thirteen targeted both primary and secondary schools. The findings demonstrated that six reviews reported a statistical increase in physical activity levels among the target population, and one review found a decrease in body mass index. The most promising interventions focused on physical activity included within the school curriculum and were characterised as long-term interventions. 20 out of 23 reviews assessed the quality of primary studies.
CONCLUSION
Some interventions were promising in promoting physical activity among school-aged children and young people such as Daily Mile, Active Break, and Active transport while multi-component interventions seem to be positively effective in reducing BMI. Future efforts should focus on long-term, theory-driven programmes to ensure sustainable increases in physical activity.
Topics: Humans; Exercise; Child; Adolescent; Schools; Health Promotion; Body Mass Index; School Health Services
PubMed: 38870155
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304513 -
Cortex; a Journal Devoted To the Study... Jun 2024Understanding the neural substrate of altered conscious states is an important cultural, scientific, and clinical endeavour. Although hypnosis causes strong shifts in...
Understanding the neural substrate of altered conscious states is an important cultural, scientific, and clinical endeavour. Although hypnosis causes strong shifts in conscious perception and cognition, it remains largely unclear how hypnosis affects information processing in cortical networks. Here we manipulated the depth of hypnotic states to study information processing between cortical regions involved in attention and awareness. We used high-density Electroencephalography (EEG) to record resting-state cortical activity from 30 hypnosis experts during two hypnotic states with different depth. Each participant entered a light and a deep hypnotic state as well as two well-matched control states. Bridging top-down and lateralisation models of hypnosis, we found that interhemispheric frontoparietal connectivity distinguished hypnosis and control conditions, while no difference was found between the two hypnotic states. Using a graph-theoretic measure, we revealed that the amount of information passing through individual nodes (measured via betweenness centrality) is reduced during hypnosis relative to control states. Finally, we found that theta power was enhanced during hypnosis. Our result contributes to the current discussion around a role for theta power in bringing about hypnotic states, as well as other altered conscious states. Overall, our findings support the notion that altered top-down control in frontoparietal regions facilitates hypnosis by integrating information between cortical hemispheres.
PubMed: 38865762
DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.05.008 -
Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024Since 1999, doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine have been the recommended treatment for chronic Q fever, a life-threatening disease caused by the bacterial pathogen, ....
UNLABELLED
Since 1999, doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine have been the recommended treatment for chronic Q fever, a life-threatening disease caused by the bacterial pathogen, . Despite the duration of its use, the treatment is not ideal due to the lengthy treatment time, high mortality rate, resistant strains, and the potential for contraindicated usage. A literature search was conducted to identify studies that screened large panels of drugs against to identify novel targets with potential efficacy against . Twelve candidate antimicrobials approved for use in humans by the US Food and Drug Administration were selected and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined against the low virulence strain Nine Mile phase II. Rifabutin and rifaximin were the best performing antibiotics tested with MICs of ≤0.01 µg mL. Further screening of these top candidates was conducted alongside two drugs from the same class, rifampin, well-characterized and rifapentine, not previously reported against . These were screened against virulent strains of representing three clinically relevant genotypes. Rifapentine was the most effective in the human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, with a MIC ≤0.01 µg mL. In the human kidney epithelial cell line, A-498, efficacy of rifapentine, rifampin, and rifabutin varied across strains with MICs between ≤0.001 and 0.01 µg mL. Rifampin, rifabutin, and rifapentine were all bactericidal against ; however, rifabutin and rifapentine demonstrated impressive bactericidal activity as low as 0.1 µg mL and should be further explored as alternative Q fever treatments given their efficacy .
IMPORTANCE
This work will help inform investigators and physicians about potential alternative antimicrobial therapies targeting the causative agent of Q fever, . Chronic Q fever is difficult to treat, and alternative antimicrobials are needed. This manuscript explores the efficacy of rifamycin antibiotics against virulent strains of representing three clinically relevant genotypes . Importantly, this study determines the susceptibility of to rifapentine, which has not been previously reported. Evaluation of the bactericidal activity of the rifamycins reveals that rifabutin and rifapentine are bactericidal at low concentrations, which is unusual for antibiotics against .
PubMed: 38864598
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01034-24 -
Journal of Applied Research in... Jul 2024This study assessed the effectiveness of a cross-departmental case review panel-the Multicap Complex Behaviour Forum (CBF)-in reducing challenging behaviour exhibited by...
BACKGROUND
This study assessed the effectiveness of a cross-departmental case review panel-the Multicap Complex Behaviour Forum (CBF)-in reducing challenging behaviour exhibited by people with intellectual disabilities.
METHODS
Thirty participants (15 CBF participants and 15 matched-control participants) took part in the study. Behavioural data was collected for each CBF participant (and their matched control) for the three-month period before entering the CBF, during their time in the CBF, and the 3 months after exiting the CBF.
RESULTS
There was a significant interaction of group and time observed, with the CBF participants showing more change in behavioural incidents across time. Associated with this change was a noticeable reduction in staff injury costs related to the challenging behaviour of the CBF participants.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that positive behavioural and organisational outcomes are enhanced by fostering collaboration across multiple organisational systems when it comes to supporting people who exhibit challenging behaviours.
Topics: Humans; Intellectual Disability; Male; Adult; Female; Problem Behavior; Middle Aged; Young Adult
PubMed: 38859726
DOI: 10.1111/jar.13261 -
Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi =... May 2024Hepatitis B is mostly a chronic, progressive disease that, if not treated promptly and effectively, can slowly progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular...
Hepatitis B is mostly a chronic, progressive disease that, if not treated promptly and effectively, can slowly progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, antiviral therapy, i.e., a "complete therapy" strategy, should be started as long as the virus is positive. Immediate antiviral treatment is not recommended for infected patients who are only in the immune-tolerant phase, mainly because of the milder conditions and poor antiviral therapy efficacy, according to antiviral indications in China's Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2022 Version). The relevant issues of why hepatitis B virus infection in the immune-tolerant phase is the last mile of "complete therapy," with an emphasis on the disease's characteristics and antiviral treatment strategies, are discussed here.
Topics: Humans; Antiviral Agents; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Immune Tolerance; Hepatitis B
PubMed: 38858188
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501113-20240428-00233 -
Physical Review Letters May 2024For dark matter to be detectable with gravitational waves from binary black holes, it must reach higher than average densities in their vicinity. In the case of light...
For dark matter to be detectable with gravitational waves from binary black holes, it must reach higher than average densities in their vicinity. In the case of light (wavelike) dark matter, the density of dark matter between the binary can be significantly enhanced by accretion from the surrounding environment. Here we show that the resulting dephasing effect on the last ten orbits of an equal mass binary is maximized when the Compton wavelength of the scalar particle is comparable to the orbital separation, 2π/μ∼d. The phenomenology of the effect is different from the channels that are usually discussed, where dynamical friction (along the orbital path) and radiation of energy and angular momentum drive the dephasing, and is rather dominated by the radial force (the spacetime curvature in the radial direction) towards the overdensity between the black holes. While our numerical studies limit us to scales of the same order, this effect may persist at larger separations and/or particle masses, playing a significant role in the merger history of binaries.
PubMed: 38856260
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.211401 -
BMC Medicine Jun 2024Global progress on malaria control has stalled recently, partly due to challenges in universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment. Community health workers (CHWs)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Expanding community case management of malaria to all ages can improve universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment: results from a cluster randomized trial in Madagascar.
BACKGROUND
Global progress on malaria control has stalled recently, partly due to challenges in universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment. Community health workers (CHWs) can play a key role in improving access to malaria care for children under 5 years (CU5), but national policies rarely permit them to treat older individuals. We conducted a two-arm cluster randomized trial in rural Madagascar to assess the impact of expanding malaria community case management (mCCM) to all ages on health care access and use.
METHODS
Thirty health centers and their associated CHWs in Farafangana District were randomized 1:1 to mCCM for all ages (intervention) or mCCM for CU5 only (control). Both arms were supported with CHW trainings on malaria case management, community sensitization on free malaria care, monthly supervision of CHWs, and reinforcement of the malaria supply chain. Cross-sectional household surveys in approximately 1600 households were conducted at baseline (Nov-Dec 2019) and endline (Nov-Dec 2021). Monthly data were collected from health center and CHW registers for 36 months (2019-2021). Intervention impact was assessed via difference-in-differences analyses for survey data and interrupted time-series analyses for health system data.
RESULTS
Rates of care-seeking for fever and malaria diagnosis nearly tripled in both arms (from less than 25% to over 60%), driven mostly by increases in CHW care. Age-expanded mCCM yielded additional improvements for individuals over 5 years in the intervention arm (rate ratio for RDTs done in 6-13-year-olds, RR = 1.65; 95% CIs 1.45-1.87), but increases were significant only in health system data analyses. Age-expanded mCCM was associated with larger increases for populations living further from health centers (RR = 1.21 per km; 95% CIs 1.19-1.23).
CONCLUSIONS
Expanding mCCM to all ages can improve universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment. In addition, strengthening supply chain systems can achieve significant improvements even in the absence of age-expanded mCCM.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The trial was registered at the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry (#PACTR202001907367187).
Topics: Humans; Malaria; Madagascar; Case Management; Male; Child; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Infant; Adult; Community Health Workers; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Community Health Services; Rural Population; Aged
PubMed: 38853263
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03441-9