Lifestyle exercises for bone health and health-related quality of life among premenopausal women: A controlled trial.

Particularly among the premenopausal age group, promotion of bone-health enhancing exercises (a prerequisite for optimal bone health across the lifespan) presents with unprecedented challenges. As a deviation from traditional, facility-based, supervised, long duration exercise regimes, the efficacy of brief, bouts of lifestyle exercises for improving bone health and quality of life was examined. Methods: Premenopausal women (n= 96, mean age: 22.25 ± 3.5 years; mean BMI: 23.43±3.5 kg/m2) participated in a six-month randomised controlled trial of lifestyle osteogenic exercises for the intervention group and lifestyle (non-osteogenic) exercises for the control group. The outcome measure SF SF-36 was accessed pre- and post-intervention. Participants’ scores were calculated according to the SF-36 scoring manual and compared with population norms for each health domain. Paired t tests were used to examine changes within trial arms from baseline to post-intervention while ANCOVA was performed to examine the effect of the lifestyle exercise programme on quality of life of premenopausal women. Results: Post-intervention, 63% of the participants (compared to 59% at baseline) were either at or above the general population norm for general health. Similarly, the percentage of participants who were below population health norm for mental health reduced from 45% at baseline to 40% post exercise intervention. Comparable improvements in QOL were found in both trial arms post participation in the bone health promotion programme. Conclusions: Osteogenic exercises, when implemented as easily adoptable lifestyle physical activity, may also enhance QOL of premenopausal women. Hence, a practical lifestyle approach to exercise may proffer a much needed public health strategy for bone health promotion among women

Deep hybrid model for maternal health risk classification in pregnancy: synergy of ANN and random forest

IntroductionMaternal health is a critical aspect of public health that affects the wellbeing of both mothers and infants. Despite medical advancements, maternal mortality rates remain high, particularly in developing countries. AI-based models provide new ways to analyze and interpret medical data, which can ultimately improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.MethodsThis study proposes a deep hybrid model for maternal health risk classification in pregnancy, which utilizes the strengths of artificial neural networks (ANN) and random forest (RF) algorithms. The proposed model combines the two algorithms to improve the accuracy and efficiency of risk classification in pregnant women. The dataset used in this study consists of features such as age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar, body temperature, and heart rate. The dataset is divided into training and testing sets, with 75% of the data used for training and 25% used for testing. The output of the ANN and RF classifier is considered, and a maximum probability voting system selects the output with the highest probability as the most correct.ResultsPerformance is evaluated using various metrics, such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Results showed that the proposed model achieves 95% accuracy, 97% precision, 97% recall, and an F1 score of 0.97 on the testing dataset.DiscussionThe deep hybrid model proposed in this study has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of maternal health risk classification in pregnancy, leading to better health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies. Future research could explore the generalizability of this model to other populations, incorporate unstructured medical data, and evaluate its feasibility for clinical use

The potential of general practice to support young people who self-harm: a narrative review

Background Self-harm in young people is a growing public health concern. Young people commonly present to their GP for help with self-harm, and thus general practice may be a key setting to support young people who have self-harmed. Aim To examine the potential of general practice to support young people aged 10–25 years who have harmed themselves. Design & setting A narrative review of published and grey literature. Method The Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) was used to guide a narrative review to examine the potential of general practice to support young people who have self-harmed. The evidence is presented textually. Results The included evidence showed that GPs have a key role in supporting young people, and they sometimes relied on gut feeling when handling uncertainty on how to help young people who had self-harmed. Young people described the importance of initial clinician responses after disclosing self-harm, and if they were perceived to be negative, the self-harm could become worse. Conclusion In context of the evidence included, this review found that general practice is a key setting for the identification and management of self-harm in young people; but improvements are needed to enhance general practice care for young people to fulfil its potential

Economic Selection of Efficient Level of NPK 16:16:16 Fertilizer for Improved Yield Performance of a Maize Variety in the South Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria

This study investigates effects of different levels of NPK 16:16:16 fertilizer on yield and performance of maize. Data sets were obtained from a study conducted at the University of Ilorin Teaching and Research Farm, faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin during the 2010 cropping season. The study was conducted on a maize variety (Swan-1-SR-Y) sourced from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Abuja, Nigeria using a completely Randomized Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Application of the fertilizer type was done at two equal splits of 2 weeks after planting and immediately after tasseling using ring method of application. The appropriate analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to collect observations at 2 weeks interval from week 5 to week 15 after planting on growth variables such as plant height (kg), leaf area (cm2), number of leaves, cob weight (kg) and grain weight (kg) respectively at equally spaced levels 0kg/ha, 30kg/ha, 60kg/ha, 90kg/ha and 120kg/ha of the fertilizer type. Before conducting ANOVA, the data sets were inspected for homogeneity of error variances using Fligner-Killeen test in the R statistical package. Shapiro-Wilk test of normality was used to check normality of the residuals. The normal probability plot showed no indication of outliers and the largest standardized residual was within . NPK 16:16:16 fertilizer level 60 Kg/ha was found to be the most efficient and economical for improving growth and yield performance of the maize variety in the ecological zone. The optimum yield of the maize variety due to application of the NPK 16:16:16 fertilizer levels is in the 13th week after planting. Keywords: Maize, NPK 16:16:16, Fligner-Killen test, Shapiro-Wilk test, ANOVA, R and RCBD

Understanding self-harm in older adults: a qualitative study

Background Self-harm is the leading risk factor for suicide, with elevated rates reported amongst older populations. This study explores how older adults experience self-harm, identifying factors leading to self-harm. Methods Semi-structured interviews with older adults (≥ 60 years) engaging in self-harm and support workers from third sector services in England. Older adults were invited to participate in a follow-up interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and data analysed thematically. Ethical approval obtained from Keele University's Ethics Review Panel. A Patient Involvement group contributed to study design, data analysis and interpretation. Outcomes Between September 2017 to September 2018, 24 interviews were conducted involving 16 participants: nine older adults and seven support workers. Eight older adults consented to follow-up interviews. All older adults reported diagnoses of mental illness in addition to physical illness. Participants identified diverse stressors accumulating over the life-course leaving older adults particularly vulnerable to self-harm. Such stressors included adverse events, loss, interpersonal and health problems. A sense of shame and stigma amongst older people using self-harm to manage distress was also reported. Interpretation Self-harm is often concealed due to stigma and shame, being further accentuated amongst older adults, which may result in low levels of medical help-seeking behaviour for self-harm. Self-harm occurred along a spectrum of no-suicidal intent to high-levels of intent, suggesting self-harm holds different functions to older adults. Clinicians should be aware of the existence of self-harm in this age-group, and the heightened risk amongst those with comorbidities so adequate assessment, support and/or referral is provided

Patient and public involvement and engagement in a doctoral research project exploring self-harm in older adults

Background: The contribution of involving patients and public in health research is widely reported, particularly within mental health research. Less is written about such contributions to doctoral research. The research focus of this doctoral research, self-harm in older adults, was put forward by a Patient Public Involvement Engagement (PPIE) group, who contributed to its development. Aims: Critically reflect on the process, potential impact and identify challenges and opportunities in involving robust PPIE in a doctoral study. Methods: Three PPIE members contributed to a systematic review (SR) and a qualitative study through a series of four workshops to meet the aims of the study. PPIE contributed to developing the SR review questions, protocol, data analysis and dissemination of findings. For the qualitative study, they helped develop research questions, protocol, public-facing documentation, recruitment strategies and data analysis. Involvement followed the GRIPP2-SF reporting checklist. Results: PPIE enhanced methodological rigour, data analysis, interpretation and dissemination of findings. Challenges included lack of ethical guidance, time-related pressures and ensuring support for PPIE members. These were successfully managed through ongoing dialogue and regular communication. Conclusions: PPIE can enhance the quality and depth of doctoral research, as lived experiences shared by PPIE members add to research's components. Exposing early-career researchers to PPIE can build research cultures sensitive to PPIE's potential contribution and develop the expertise needed to avoid tokenistic involvement. Capturing lay perspectives is essential in mental health research to ensure research findings are accessible and that findings inform clinical practice. However, clear guidance on the ethical dimensions to PPIE is needed

The functions of self‐harm in young people and their perspectives about future general practitioner‐led care: A qualitative study

Background Self-harm in young people is a serious concern but a deeper understanding of the functions of self-harm in young people can tailor care and inform new clinical interventions to reduce repeat self-harm and suicide risk. General practitioners (GPs), as frontline healthcare professionals, have an important role in managing self-harm in young people. This study aimed to explore the functions of self-harm in young people and their perspectives on future GP-led care. Methods A qualitative study using interviews with young people aged between 16 and 25 years with a personal history of self-harm was conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings Four distinct functions were identified: (1) handling emotional states; (2) self-punishment; (3) coping with mental illness and trauma; and (4) positive thoughts and protection. Young people valued GP-led support and felt future GP interventions should include self-help and be personalised. Conclusions These findings support clinicians, including GPs, to explore the functions of self-harm in young people aged 16–25 in a personalised approach to self-harm care. It should be noted that self-harm may serve more than one function for a young person and thus interventions should recognise this. Patient and Public Contribution A group consisting of young people with lived experience of self-harm, carers, the public, and those who work with young people who harm themselves conceived this study idea, informed recruitment methods and the interview topic guide, and supported the interpretation of findings

Influence of secondary aluminum dross (SAD) on compressive strength and water absorption capacity properties of sandcrete block

Secondary aluminum dross (SAD) is a hazardous by-product of the aluminum smelting industry. Among various recycling options of this waste, construction and building materials applications is one of the value-added options to end dumping. The present study, thereby, investigates the influence of SAD on the mechanical and durability properties of sandcrete blocks (SBs). Five partial replacements 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of river sand with SAD were experimented at constant water–cement ratio of 0.45. Sixty-three SB samples of size 150 mm × 225 mm × 450 mm were molded and cured at different ages of 7, 14 and 28 days before the hardened blocks were subjected to water absorption and compressive crushing tests. The study results revealed that the water absorption of SAD-blended samples was found to rise with increasing percentage replacement with SAD. Also, the study revealed that beyond 10% replacement with SAD, the investigated properties fall below the required limits as stated in relevant standards. SBs blende

Youths’ involvement in oil palm (Elaeis Guineensis) fruit processing activities

This study assessed the youths’ involvement in oil palm fruit processing activities in Ondo State, Nigeria. It described the socio-economic characteristics of youths involved in oil palm fruit processing activities, determined their level of involvement, examined their perception and identified constraints associated with their involvement. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents from the study area. Interview schedule was employed to collect relevant data, which was analysed with SPSS software package. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data while inferential statistics were used to draw inference on hypothesis. The results show that majority (63.3%) were male, 95.8% had formal education with a mean age of 27.2 ± 2.7 years. Picking of fresh fruit bunches ( = 2.71), packaging ( = 2.60) and gathering of bunches ( = 2.50) were the major activities youth involved in. Higher percentage (57.9%) of the youth had favourable perception towards involvement in oil palm fruit processing activities. Lack of modern processing facilities ( =3.65) and funds/inadequate credit facilities ( = 3.65) were the prime constraints to their involvement. Number of labour (r = 0.7460; p≤0.01) and income (r = 0.601; p≤0.01) of the respondents were significantly related to youth involvement. The study concluded that youth had moderate involvement in oil palm processing activities. However, agricultural development stakeholders like government should provide adequate and functional credits facilities to these youths to encourage their involvement

Prevalence of osteoarthritis in lower middle- and low-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence from the Global Burden of Disease studies suggests that osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant cause of disability globally; however, it is less clear how much of this burden exists in low-income and lower middle-income countries. This study aims to determine the prevalence of OA in people living in low-income and lower middle-income countries. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science) were systematically searched from inception to October 2018 for population-based studies. We included studies reporting the prevalence of OA among people aged 15 years and over in low-income and lower middle-income countries. The prevalence estimates were pooled across studies using random effects meta-analysis. Our study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018112870.The search identified 7414 articles, of which 356 articles were selected for full text assessment. 34 studies were eligible and included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of OA was 16·05% (95% confidence interval (CI) 12·55–19·89), with studies demonstrating a substantial degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 99·50%). The pooled prevalence of OA was 16.4% (CI 11·60–21.78%) in South Asia, 15.7% (CI 5·31–30·25%) in East Asia and Pacific, and 14.2% (CI 7·95–21·89%) in Sub Saharan Africa. The meta-regression analysis showed that publication year, study sample size, risk of bias score and country-income categories were significantly associated with the variations in the prevalence estimates. The prevalence of OA is high in low-income and lower middle-income countries, with almost one in six of the study participants reported to have OA. With the changing population demographics and the shift to the emergence of non-communicable diseases, targeted public health strategies are urgently needed to address this growing epidemic in the aging population