Comparison of Nutrition Status and Knowledge Level of Sports Trainers and Individuals Attended with Nine-Round Fitness Sports

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the nutritional knowledge levels and nutritional status of the sports trainers and individuals doing nine-round fitness sports, and compare the relationship between two groups. One hundred individuals doing sports and 10 trainers were included in the study. A questionnaire about general demographic information, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits and sporting status were applied to the participants. In addition, 1-day retrospective food consumption record was taken to evaluate the intake levels of macro and micronutrients, and The Basic Nutrition Knowledge Level for Adults (YETBID) Scale was applied to measure the nutritional knowledge of the participants. The mean energy (kcal), protein (g), fat (g) and carbohydrate (g) intakes were found to be 1930±832,6, 117,8±61,3, 88±34,5, 159±111,1 for trainers and 1465±533, 81,8±33,9, 66,6±26,4, 128±76,9 for individuals doing sports, respectively. A significant difference was found between two groups in terms of energy intakes (p=0,042) whereas, no significant difference was found between the levels of macro nutrient intakes between trainers and individuals doing sports (p>0.05). According to the YETBID scores, it was found that the total score of individuals doing sports was significantly higher than trainers’ (p=0.037). It was concluded that the level of nutritional knowledge of sports trainers and individuals doing sports did not affect the nutritional status. Furthermore, dietitians should be present at sport centers and nutrition trainings should be arranged in order to prevent improper nutrition practices

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Treated With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: Data From the European Sleep Apnea Database

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that resolves under treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In some patients, sleepiness persists despite CPAP treatment. We retrospectively analyzed data on subjective residual EDS, assessed as an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS) >10, in patients from the European Sleep Apnea Database (n = 4,853, mean age ± SD 54.8 ± 11.8 years, 26.1% females), at baseline and at the first visit (median follow-up: 5 months, interquartile range 3–13). An ESS > 10 occurred in 56% of patients at baseline and in 28.2% of patients at follow-up. Residual EDS was analyzed in 2,190 patients (age: 55.1 ± 12.0 years, 26.1% females) with sleep monitoring data (median follow-up: 3 months, interquartile range 1–15). Sleep studies during CPAP use were obtained in 58% of these patients; EDS was reported by 47.2% of patients at baseline and by 30.3% at follow-up. Residual OSA, defined as an apnea–hypopnea index >10/h, and insufficient CPAP adherence, defined as nightly use <4 h, occurred with similar frequency in patients with and without EDS at follow-up. Prevalence of residual EDS was highest (40%) in patients with a first follow-up visit at 0–3 months, then it was 13–19% in patients with a first follow-up visit after 4 months to 2 years. The change in ESS (n = 2,190) was weakly correlated with CPAP use (R2 = 0.023, p < 0.0001). Logistic regression showed that an ESS score >10 at the first follow-up visit was associated directly with ESS at baseline and inversely with duration of follow-up, and CPAP use (R2 of the model: 0.417). EDS showed heterogeneity in different European countries both at baseline and at the first follow-up visit, suggesting modulation by cultural and lifestyle factors. In conclusion, residual EDS in CPAP-treated OSA occurred in approximately one in four patients at follow-up; its prevalence was highest (40%) in the first 3 months of treatment and subsequently decreased. The finding of residual EDS in a significant percentage of optimally treated OSA patients suggests that wake-promoting agents may be useful, but their indication should be evaluated after at least 3 months of treatment

Determination of horizon size in state-based peridynamics

Peridynamics is based on integro-differential equations and has a length scale parameter called horizon which gives peridynamics a non-local character. Currently, there are three main peridynamic formulations available in the literature including bond-based peridynamics, ordinary state-based peridynamics and non-ordinary state-based peridynamics. In this study, the optimum horizon size is determined for ordinary state-based peridynamics and non-ordinary state-based peridynamics formulations by using uniform and non-uniform discretisation under dynamic and static conditions. It is shown that the horizon sizes selected as optimum sizes for uniform discretisation can also be used for non-uniform discretisation without introducing significant error to the system. Moreover, a smaller horizon size can be selected for non-ordinary state-based formulation which can yield significant computational advantage. It is also shown that same horizon size can be used for both static and dynamic problems

Psychological trauma and evidence for enhanced vulnerability for posttraumatic stress disorder through previous trauma among West Nile refugees

BACKGROUND: Political instability and the civil war in Southern Sudan have resulted in numerous atrocities, mass violence, and forced migration for vast parts of the civilian population in the West Nile region. High exposure to traumatic experiences has been particularly prominent in the Ugandan and Sudanese of the West Nile Region, representing an indication of the psychological strain posed by years of armed conflict. METHODS: In this study the impact of traumatic events on the prevalence and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a random sample of 3.339 Ugandan nationals, Sudanese nationals, and Sudanese refugees (1.831 households) of the West Nile region is assessed. RESULTS: Results show a positive correlation between the number of traumatic events and the number of endorsed PTSD symptoms. Of the 58 respondents who experienced the greatest number of traumatizing experiences, all reported symptoms which met the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear dose-effect relationship between traumatic exposure and PTSD in the studied populations with high levels of traumatic events. In this context, it is probable that any individual could develop PTSD regardless of other risk-factors once the trauma load reaches a certain threshold

Arterial bicarbonate is associated with hypoxic burden and uncontrolled hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea - The ESADA cohort

Objective: Blood bicarbonate concentration plays an important role for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients to maintain acid-base balance. We investigated the association between arterial standard bicarbonate ([HCO3-]) and nocturnal hypoxia as well as comorbid hypertension in OSA. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 3329 patients in the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA) was performed. Arterial blood gas analysis and lung function test were performed in conjunction with polysomnographic sleep studies. The 4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI), mean and minimum oxygen saturation (SpO2), and percentage of time with SpO2 below 90% (T90%) were used to reflect nocturnal hypoxic burden. Arterial hypertension was defined as a physician diagnosis of hypertension with ongoing antihypertensive medication. Hypertensive patients with SBP/DBP below or above 140/90 mmHg were classified as controlled-, uncontrolled hypertension, respectively. Results: The [HCO3-] level was normal in most patients (average 24.0 ± 2.5 mmol/L). ODI, T90% increased whereas mean and minimum SpO2 decreased across [HCO3-] tertiles (ANOVA, p = 0.030, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). [HCO3-] was independently associated with ODI, mean SpO2, minimum SpO2, and T90% after adjusting for confounders (β value [95%CI]: 1.21 [0.88–1.54], −0.16 [-0.20 to −0.11], −0.51 [-0.64 to −0.37], 1.76 [1.48–2.04], respectively, all p < 0.001). 1 mmol/L elevation of [HCO3-] was associated with a 4% increased odds of uncontrolled hypertension (OR: 1.04 [1.01–1.08], p = 0.013). Conclusion: We first demonstrated an independent association between [HCO3-] and nocturnal hypoxic burden as well as uncontrolled hypertension in OSA patients. Bicarbonate levels as an adjunctive measure provide insight into the pathophysiology of hypertension in OSA

P2X7 receptors induce degranulation in human mast cells.

Mast cells play important roles in host defence against pathogens, as well as being a key effector cell in diseases with an allergic basis such as asthma and an increasing list of other chronic inflammatory conditions. Mast cells initiate immune responses through the release of newly synthesised eicosanoids and the secretion of pre-formed mediators such as histamine which they store in specialised granules. Calcium plays a key role in regulating both the synthesis and secretion of mast-cell-derived mediators, with influx across the membrane, in particular, being necessary for degranulation. This raises the possibility that calcium influx through P2X receptors may lead to antigen-independent secretion of histamine and other granule-derived mediators from human mast cells. Here we show that activation of P2X7 receptors with both ATP and BzATP induces robust calcium rises in human mast cells and triggers their degranulation; both effects are blocked by the P2X7 antagonist AZ11645373, or the removal of calcium from the extracellular medium. Activation of P2X1 receptors with αβmeATP also induces calcium influx in human mast cells, which is significantly reduced by both PPADS and NF 449. P2X1 receptor activation, however, does not trigger degranulation. The results indicate that P2X7 receptors may play a significant role in contributing to the unwanted activation of mast cells in chronic inflammatory conditions where extracellular ATP levels are elevated

The ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence Chatbot: How Well Does It Answer Accounting Assessment Questions?

ChatGPT, a language-learning model chatbot, has garnered considerable attention for its ability to respond to users’ questions. Using data from 14 countries and 186 institutions, we compare ChatGPT and student performance for 28,085 questions from accounting assessments and textbook test banks. As of January 2023, ChatGPT provides correct answers for 56.5 percent of questions and partially correct answers for an additional 9.4 percent of questions. When considering point values for questions, students significantly outperform ChatGPT with a 76.7 percent average on assessments compared to 47.5 percent for ChatGPT if no partial credit is awarded and 56.5 percent if partial credit is awarded. Still, ChatGPT performs better than the student average for 15.8 percent of assessments when we include partial credit. We provide evidence of how ChatGPT performs on different question types, accounting topics, class levels, open/closed assessments, and test bank questions. We also discuss implications for accounting education and research

Postpartum mental health after Hurricane Katrina: A cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Natural disaster is often a cause of psychopathology, and women are vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Depression is also common after a woman gives birth. However, no research has addressed postpartum women's mental health after natural disaster.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Interviews were conducted in 2006–2007 with women who had been pregnant during or shortly after Hurricane Katrina. 292 New Orleans and Baton Rouge women were interviewed at delivery and 2 months postpartum. Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Depression Scale and PTSD using the Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist. Women were asked about their experience of the hurricane with questions addressing threat, illness, loss, and damage. Chi-square tests and log-binomial/Poisson models were used to calculate associations and relative risks (RR).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Black women and women with less education were more likely to have had a serious experience of the hurricane. 18% of the sample met the criteria for depression and 13% for PTSD at two months postpartum. Feeling that one's life was in danger was associated with depression and PTSD, as were injury to a family member and severe impact on property. Overall, two or more severe experiences of the storm was associated with an increased risk for both depression (relative risk (RR) 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–2.89) and PTSD (RR 3.68, 95% CI 1.80–7.52).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Postpartum women who experience natural disaster severely are at increased risk for mental health problems, but overall rates of depression and PTSD do not seem to be higher than in studies of the general population.</p