Cost estimation of a school-based intervention for improving HIV/AIDS risk perception among secondary school adolescents in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Early sexual debut is common in Nigeria and increases HIV risk among adolescents. About 152,000 adolescents are living with HIV. Lack of knowledge and appropriate sexual reproductive health services are some factors responsible.

Cognitive-behavioural reflective training for improving critical thinking disposition of nursing students.

Background/objective: The importance of critical thinking in improving treatment practices in, for instance, the nursing profession, cannot be overemphasized. Despite this importance, empirical studies have shown that helping strategies to train learners on critical thinking disposition are needed. Given this knowledge gap, this study investigated the impacts of cognitive-behavioral reflective training for improving the critical thinking disposition of nursing students.

Effect of a critical thinking intervention on stress management among undergraduates of adult education and extramural studies programs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a critical thinking intervention (CTI) on stress management among undergraduates of adult education and extramural studies programs.

Method: A total of 44 undergraduates were randomly sorted into experimental and waitlist control groups. We used the Perceived Stress Scale for data collection at the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages.

Effect of digital storytelling intervention on burnout thoughts of adolescent: Athletes with disabilities.

Background/objective: Both athletes with and without disabilities can develop burnout symptoms. However, athletes with disabilities may face different or more challenges compared to their counterparts without disabilities. The present study aimed at ascertaining the effect of digital storytelling intervention on burnout thoughts of adolescent-athletes with disabilities.

The effect of a video-guided educational technology intervention on the academic self-concept of adolescent students with hearing impairment: Implications for physical education.

Background/objective: Academic self-concept is an important construct within the disciplines of medicine, psychology, and education. Enhancing the academic self-concept of students with special educational needs is very crucial because it is associated with their quality of life. This study aimed to examine the effect of a video-guided educational technology intervention on the academic self-concept of adolescents with hearing impairment who were attending inclusive nonresidential public schools in Southeast Nigeria.

Effect of video-guided educational intervention on school engagement of adolescent students with hearing impairment: Implications for health and physical education.

Background/objective: Hearing impaired students still face stigmatization and marginalization especially in inclusive classrooms in developing regions. This negatively impacts their school engagement. The present study aimed at ascertaining the effect of video-guided educational intervention on school engagement of hearing impaired students.

Mechanism of aortic medial matrix remodeling is distinct in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

Objectives: Patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are predisposed to developing ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) at an earlier age than patients who develop degenerative TAAs and have a tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). The hypothesis tested is that BAV-associated aortopathy is mediated by a mechanism of matrix remodeling that is distinct from that seen in TAAs of patients with tricuspid aortic valves.

Methods: Aortic specimens were collected during ascending aortic replacement, aortic valve replacement, and heart transplants from nonaneurysmal (NA) donors and recipients.

Altered oxidative stress responses and increased type I collagen expression in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

Background: The mechanisms governing extracellular matrix degradation and smooth muscle cell (SMC) loss in the ascending aorta of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients are unknown. We recently reported that expression and induction of metallothionein, a reactive oxygen species scavenger, is reduced in BAV ascending aortic aneurysms relative to nonaneurysmal patients.

Methods: Tissue and primary SMCs from patients with and without thoracic aortic aneurysms and metallothionein-null and wild-type mice were analyzed for cell viability, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and type I collagen gene expression during exposure to reactive oxygen species.

Disability: a view from selected cultural perspectives.

The concept of disability has been examined from various cultural perspectives across the globe. The author explores how services and specific support networks have been provided to people with disabilities. Small-scale and large-scale societies have had to deal with unique challenges in monitoring services for the disabled, regardless of their geographical location; financial resources, accountability and adequate staffing are primary problems in delivery of services to the disabled.

Basal and oxidative stress-induced expression of metallothionein is decreased in ascending aortic aneurysms of bicuspid aortic valve patients.

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a heritable condition that has been linked by an unknown mechanism to a predisposition for ascending aortic aneurysm. Matrix metalloproteinases have been implicated in this predisposition. Metallothionein is a poorly characterized, metal-binding protein that regulates matrix metalloproteinases and is an antioxidant known to be upregulated under oxidative stress.