Self-confidence as a mediator in the relationship between executive functioning and depression among ICU survivors: a latent variable analysis.

Background: Executive dysfunction and depression are common among ICU survivors, yet the mechanisms linking these two factors remain poorly understood. Self-confidence has been implicated as a key mediator in the relationship between cognitive impairments and mental health outcomes. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of self-confidence in the association between executive functioning and depression in ICU survivors.

Electronic Structure and Surface Chemistry of BaZrS Perovskite Powder and Sputtered Thin Film.

Chalcogenide perovskites exhibit optoelectronic properties that position them as potential materials in the field of photovoltaics. We report a detailed investigation into the electronic structure and chemical properties of polycrystalline BaZrS perovskite powder by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, complemented by an analysis of its long- and short-range geometric structures using X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained for the powdered BaZrS are compared to similar measurements on a sputtered polycrystalline BaZrS thin film prepared through rapid thermal processing.

Local circulation of elites punctuated by transregional mobility enabled steppe political consolidation in the Xiongnu nomadic state.

The Xiongnu polity (ca. 200 BC- 150 AD) emerged out of indigenous community-centered socio-political structures to forge a powerful state that commanded the Mongolian steppe and beyond. Underpinned by a highly mobile pastoralist population, accustomed to seasonally rhythmic moves and embedded in an equestrian culture that facilitated rapid transport over long-distances, it remains unclear precisely how the movement of commoners, local aristocrats and regional elites abetted the formation and organization of Xiongnu state structures.

Development and Psychometric Test of the Salutogenic Survey on Sustainable Working Life for Nurses: Identifying Resistance Resources against Stress.

Extensive research shows nurses' work environment to be particularly stressful. This study develops, explores, and psychometrically tests a new profession-specific questionnaire identifying generalised and specific resistance resources, that make it possible to measure resources to manage work-related stress. An exploratory study design was employed.

Utility of heparin-binding protein following cardiothoracic surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiothoracic surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) triggers an inflammatory state that may be difficult to differentiate from infection. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a candidate biomarker for sepsis. As data indicates that HBP normalizes rapidly after cardiothoracic surgery, it may be a suitable early marker of postoperative infection.

Genetic population structure of the Xiongnu Empire at imperial and local scales.

The Xiongnu established the first nomadic imperial power, controlling the Eastern Eurasian steppe from ca. 200 BCE to 100 CE. Recent archaeogenetic studies identified extreme levels of genetic diversity across the empire, corroborating historical records of the Xiongnu Empire being multiethnic.

Women's experiences of obstetric anal sphincter injury and physical therapy interventions - A qualitative study.

Background: During childbirth, women may suffer perineal injuries that can lead to persistent disorders. No interview study has investigated women's experience of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and physical therapy rehabilitation process after the injury.

Objective: To describe women's experiences of OASIS and the physical therapy rehabilitation process.

Estimation of kidney function in patients with primary neuromuscular diseases: is serum cystatin C a better marker of kidney function than creatinine?

Background: Using serum creatinine leads to an overestimation of kidney function in patients with primary neuromuscular disorders, and reduced kidney function may remain undetected. Cystatin C (CysC) could provide a better estimation.

Aim: To evaluate the precision, accuracy, and bias of two creatinine-, one cystatin C-based and one combined equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with primary neuromuscular disease.

Half of the children with overweight or obesity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder reach normal weight with stimulants.

Aim: Treatment of childhood obesity is often insufficient and may be aggravated by high co-occurrence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to investigate whether children with overweight or obesity normalised in weight when receiving stimulant treatment for ADHD.

Methods: Growth data of 118 children were obtained from medical records at outpatient paediatric and children's psychiatric services in the Gothenburg area, Sweden.

Diagnostic accuracy of the HEART Pathway and EDACS-ADP when combined with a 0-hour/1-hour hs-cTnT protocol for assessment of acute chest pain patients.

Background/aim: In ED chest pain patients, a 0-hour/1-hour protocol based on high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) tests combined with clinical risk stratification in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome is recommended. Two of the most promising risk stratification tools are the History, ECG, Age, Risk Factors and Troponin (HEART) and Emergency Department Assessment of Chest Pain (EDAC) scores. Few studies have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the 0-hour/1-hour hs-cTnT protocol when combined with HEART score, and none with EDACS.

Long-term health-related quality of life and burden of disease after intensive care: development of a patient-reported outcome measure.

Background: ICU survivorship includes a diverse burden of disease. Current questionnaires used for collecting information about health-related problems and their relation to quality of life lack detailed questions in several areas relevant to ICU survivors. Our aim was to construct a provisional questionnaire on health-related issues based on interviews with ICU survivors and to test if this questionnaire was able to show differences between ICU survivors and a control group.

The experiences of physical activity in irritable bowel syndrome-A qualitative study.

Aims And Objectives: To explore experiences of physical activity in patients with Irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional bowel disorder. The knowledge of physical activity in Irritable bowel syndrome is limited and has not been qualitatively studied before.

Experiences of the effects of physical activity in persons with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a qualitative content analysis.

Objective: Increased physical activity has been tested among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a randomized trial which demonstrated improvement in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The patients' experiences of the effects of physical activity on IBS symptoms are unknown. This knowledge is necessary to enable suitable support from health care professionals.

Concomitant Associations of Healthy Food Intake and Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Coronary Artery Calcium.

Conflicting findings remain regarding associations between lifestyle behaviors and coronary artery calcium (CAC). We investigated concomitant associations of healthy food intake and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with CAC. Data from 706 men and women 50 to 64 years old from the Swedish SCAPIS pilot trial were analyzed.

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationships of Physical Activity and Body Fat With Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neural Factor in Children.

Background: Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neural factor (BDNF) are important for brain function and detectable in the blood. This study explored the longitudinal associations of physical activity and body fat with serum NGF and BDNF in children.

Methods: Two waves of measurements were performed 2 years apart in 8- to 11-year-old children, including physical activity using the ActiGraph model 7164, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and serum NGF and BDNF determined by multiplex immunoassay.

Modification of tenascin-R expression following unilateral labyrinthectomy in rats indicates its possible role in neural plasticity of the vestibular neural circuit.

We have previously found that unilateral labyrinthectomy is accompanied by modification of hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan staining in the lateral vestibular nucleus of rats and the time course of subsequent reorganization of extracellular matrix assembly correlates to the restoration of impaired vestibular function. The tenascin-R has repelling effect on pathfinding during axonal growth/regrowth, and thus inhibits neural circuit repair. By using immunohistochemical method, we studied the modification of tenascin-R expression in the superior, medial, lateral, and descending vestibular nuclei of the rat following unilateral labyrinthectomy.

Intervention to increase physical activity in irritable bowel syndrome shows long-term positive effects.

Aim: To assess the long-term effects of physical activity on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and on quality of life, fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Methods: Seventy-six patients from a previous randomized controlled interventional study on increased physical activity in IBS were asked to participate in this long-term follow-up study. The included patients attended one visit in which they filled out questionnaires and they underwent a submaximal cycle ergometer test.

Learning in the tutorial group: a balance between individual freedom and institutional control.

The study investigates factors in problem-based learning tutorial groups which promote or inhibit learning. The informants were tutors and students from speech-language pathology and physiotherapy programmes. Semi-structured focus-group interviews and individual interviews were used.

Students' experiences of learning manual clinical skills through simulation.

Learning manual skills is a fundamental part of health care education, and motor, sensory and cognitive learning processes are essential aspects of professional development. Simulator training has been shown to enhance factors that facilitate motor and cognitive learning. The present study aimed to investigate the students' experiences and thoughts about their learning through simulation skills training.

Physical activity improves symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Physical activity has been shown to be effective in the treatment of conditions, such as fibromyalgia and depression. Although these conditions are associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), no study has assessed the effect of physical activity on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in IBS. The aim was to study the effect of physical activity on symptoms in IBS.

A non-traumatic Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis model in pigs.

Background: The propensity for bacterial localization within bones of juvenile pigs is similar to the situation in humans, where haematogenously based osteomyelitis most commonly occurs in infants and children. In both pigs and humans, Staphylococcus aureus is a dominant cause of pyaemic lesions including osteomyelitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pig as a model for the development of osteomyelitis following haematogenous spread of S.

Learning features in computer simulation skills training.

New simulation tools imply new opportunities to teach skills and train health care professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate the learning gained from computer simulation skills training. The study was designed for optimal educational settings, which benefit student-centred learning.

Enriched environment reduces apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in reactive astrocytes and attenuates inflammation of the peri-infarct tissue after experimental stroke.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a cholesterol transporter and an immunomodulator, is brain protective after experimental stroke and implicated in brain repair. Here, we study the involvement of ApoE in the restoration of brain function after experimental stroke, by using animal housing conditions that differentially improve recovery after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). We found that after MCAO the ApoE levels increased in the injured hemisphere over a 30 days recovery period.